Public Administration Careers for MPA Students
Consider a sponsored online MPA program currently accepting applications.
| University / School | Online Program | Admissions |
|---|---|---|
University of North Carolina |
Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Earn your MPA online in as few as 18 months. GRE waivers available to those with an advanced degree. Five concentrations. NASPAA-accredited. |
|
Syracuse University |
Executive Master of Public Administration (Executive MPA)
Earn an MPA for Executives from the #1-ranked Maxwell School. Complete in as few as 15 months. |
No GRE Required |
University of Texas Permian Basin |
Online Master of Public Administration
Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition. |
|
American University |
Online MPAP - Master of Public Administration and Policy
Top-ranked school for public affairs. NASPAA-accredited. Online MPA, MPAP, MPP. |
|
Johns Hopkins University AAP |
Master of Arts in Public Management
Areas of focus in Public Administration and Leadership and Public Policy Evaluation. |
|
Johns Hopkins University AAP |
Master of Arts in Government
100% online, part time option. |
|
University of Delaware |
Master of Public Administration
NASPAA accredited, 30-month online MPA. |
|
Click to view all online MPA programs (and related) that are taking applications now for 2023.
In this guide, you can find advice and information about careers in public administration and how to pursue them. Our MPA researchers have looked deep into educational programs to assist you with seeing different specialization paths and the career outcomes of each. For students that are undecided about the type and level of degree they want to pursue, there are also included references for careers at different degree levels. Read more below to learn about this great field and what it consists of.
Consider a sponsored online MPA program currently accepting applications.
| University / School | Online Program | Admissions |
|---|---|---|
University of North Carolina |
Online Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Earn your MPA online in as few as 18 months. GRE waivers available to those with an advanced degree. Five concentrations. NASPAA-accredited. |
|
Syracuse University |
Executive Master of Public Administration (Executive MPA)
Earn an MPA for Executives from the #1-ranked Maxwell School. Complete in as few as 15 months. |
No GRE Required |
University of Texas Permian Basin |
Online Master of Public Administration
Complete in as little as 12 months, six start dates a year, cost-effective tuition. |
Click for online MPA programs that are currently taking applications.
Working in Government
Some professionals have a desire to work in the government at the city, state, or federal level because they want to help manage their city's, state's, or nation's services and improve community relations. Many professionals working in public administration work as a consultant for private companies with government agency contracts. Consider reading our writeup of the highest paying public administration jobs.
Consider a Featured Online MPA Program
| University / School | Online Program | Admissions |
|---|---|---|
American University |
Online MPAP - Master of Public Administration and Policy
Top-ranked school for public affairs. NASPAA-accredited. Online MPA, MPAP, MPP. |
|
Johns Hopkins University AAP |
Master of Arts in Public Management
Areas of focus in Public Administration and Leadership and Public Policy Evaluation. |
|
Johns Hopkins University AAP |
Master of Arts in Government
100% online, part time option. |
|
University of Delaware |
Master of Public Administration
NASPAA accredited, 30-month online MPA. |
|
Aurora University |
Online MPA (one year)
100% online, affordable tuition. |
Working in the Private Sector
You can also work in many important roles in government or the private sector with this degree. Whether you want to work in health, communications, legal areas, public transportation or other areas, you can be an important part of change in your community, your state, and even across our entire nation.
Those who earn their Master in Public Administration can work in civil service, as education administrators, public administration consultants, program analysts, human resources director, public works director, and many other positions.
Your position may involve long-term project planning, budget analysis, ethical decision-making, fundraising, marketing, curriculum development and training, public relations, and many other elements.
What is Public Administration?
Upcoming professionals that are interested in the field of public administration may benefit from learning more about the actual constituents of this degree program and the benefits of pursuing it as a career focus. Public administration is an increasingly popular field that calls upon people that are interested in being a part of the widespread public service field. This can include services provided at the local and state level, those involved with public health and safety, local government and education.
The best method for getting involved in the field of public administration is through obtaining a degree. At different degree levels, students can learn about finance, human services, policy and maintenance of organizations that serve the public. If you enroll in such a program, you could also learn leadership skills that are relevant to this type of career and communication skills that can get you up to par with others in the field. Your influence in this field could help to increase public services and organizations that were put into place to assist society with living normal and healthy lifestyles.
Where Can You Work with a Degree in Public Administration?
Now that you have been introduced to the field of public administration, you may be wondering what type of work settings you could expect to see as a professional in this area. The truth is – public administration specialists can be found in many different areas in common society. A lot of professionals that hold this degree work in government positions that are concerned with developing better policies for everyday life. Others may find a better fit in businesses or non-profit agencies that assist with providing services to the public. A lot of leaders within your current community may have an education in public administration, since this degree program is focused on the needs and programs present in society. The list below outlines a few of the work settings that are common for professionals in this field.
- Business: Upcoming professionals that have an interest in business may have the option to use a public administration degree to meet their desires. In public and non-profit agencies, professionals that have an education in public administration can assist in the development of helpful policies, management of teams of employees and potentially even become effective and reliable leaders. Having a strong background in sales and service could help you to land even more lucrative positions in the business field.
- Local/City Services: Since public administration degree programs may be focused on providing great public services to society, graduates in this field may be a great fit for local and city services. This can include positions in housing, family wellness, healthcare and civil services. Since there is a wide array of potential career options for those that obtain a degree in public administration, there is a variety of areas within the city system that graduates could find a place.
- Government – All Levels: Whether you work in agencies that specialize in social research and reform or healthcare, there are branches of the government that can be suitable for public administration graduates. It is necessary for the U.S. Government to provide services to the public that are concerned with the improvement of social services, better education programs and ample leadership for different political agendas. If you have an interest in government positions, this may be the route for you to take.
Jobs and Salaries for Graduates by Degree Level
Public administration students often wonder how obtaining a higher level degree can affect their ability to earn. Going back to school for 2 to 4 more years can include a lot of opportunity costs that cause students to question their investment. After reviewing some of the different careers available by degree level, our team learned that it may be worth the extra effort to engage in higher degree programs before entering into the field. Having a higher degree paired with experience may be the best case scenario, since many of the higher paying positions require both a high-level degree and 2 to 3 years of work experience in public administration fields. Check out the list of salaries by degree level below.
- Bachelors: Public Relations Specialist – $59,300 on average per year (BLS).
- Masters: Budget Analyst – $75,240 on average per year (BLS).
- Doctoral: Administrative Service Managers – $94,020 on average per year (BLS).
Online Programs in Public Administration
Students that are interested in pursuing their degree online may be skeptical of the quality or consistency of online degree programs. At one point and time, online degree programs were unheard of in society, making an adjustment period necessary for people to become accustomed to them. The integration of reliable online degree programs and the accreditation process has allowed for more people to invest their trust into these programs so that they were given the opportunity to prove their worth. Over the last several years, educational institutions have worked hard to establish their reliability in the field of education, with most obtaining accreditation equal to colleges that are traditional in nature. Public administration degree programs can be found in large numbers online. We have researched some of the most reliable online MPA programs available for new college students.
Surprisingly, online public administration degrees are available at all levels, not just the MPA. The list below provides a few of the more popular options for students at each degree level.
- Franklin University – Online BS in Public Administration
- Penn State University – Online MS in Public Administration
- Texas Southern University – Online Doctor of Public Administration
Common Salaries for Jobs in Public Administration
How much you can earn with your master of public administration can vary greatly, and depends on the type of work you do, where you live, and what kind of organization you work for.
You can view the highest paying public administration jobs, or read on for some salaries for occupations that you can obtain with your masters in public administration.
Political Scientist Salary
This career will have you studying how political systems developed, and how they operate today, with areas of work that include governments (local, state, federal), laws, changes and forces that help shape the political climate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, political scientists can earn a median wage of $122,220 (2019), compared to $99,730 in 2015 data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Urban and Regional Planner Salary
This role is growing as fast as the national average and pays a median wage of $68,220 per year, per the BLS. If you work in this area of public administration you can help your city grow functionally while helping the community improve at the same time. Internships provide common entry points into this kind of position. So far, New Jersey is the only state to require licensing for urban planners (BLS).
Medical and Health Services Managers Salary
This is an occupation that you can technically qualify for with your bachelor’s degree, but you can be more competitive and stand apart from other applicants with your masters degree. The BLS states that those who work in this occupation can earn a median wage of $100,980 per year as of 2019. In 2015, it was $94,500 per year, so this position has seen increases on average. The job outlook for this profession is 32%, which is much faster than the national average (BLS).
Human Resources Managers Salary
This is another career you hear about when researching degree programs in public administration. Human resource managers have important responsibility to make sure the administrative functions of their company or organization is running smoothly. They also help bridge the challenges and differences between management and employees. The BLS states that human resource managers can expect to earn a median wage of $116,720 per year (BLS).
What Other Areas of Specialization Are There For This Degree?
Just like working with individuals, public administration can be a diverse field that is constantly changing. When you are a professional that is concerned with the public, you can have many different focuses that pull you in different directions each day. The best way to provide focus to your degree and career is through choosing a specialization for your degree program. When you choose a path to pursue, you can focus your studies on one particular area so that you can learn the most and provide the best expertise to your field. Some of the more popular specializations for public administration programs are those that focus on healthcare management, business and city services. Take a look at the list below.
- Urban Management: Public administration degree programs can help you to pursue careers in human resources within the public sector. This career field involves helping employees understand and apply for benefits, assisting during the hiring and termination processes, and providing training to employees that are responsible for carrying out daily tasks for your organization.
- Non-Profit Management: Being a part of a community development team, or leading one, can mean you are able to make tremendous differences in the community in which you live. Professionals in community development may review their current location to ensure that improvements are made, programs are in effect, and people are within reach to helpful programs for their individual needs.
- Healthcare Management: The popularity of the healthcare field is well-known with college students and new professionals alike. Since this field is one of the most widespread employers of new graduates in the U.S., it is a great place to integrate knowledge from public administration degree programs. If you pursue a specialty within healthcare management, you could end up having a diverse set of skills that could bring you many opportunities in your future.
Average Salary for a Masters of Public Administration Degree Holder vs. Bachelors
You can look at the salary statistics from the BLS and see why it can pay to earn your masters in public administration. Here are several examples of average salaries for occupations related to this degree program:
Social and community service managers
The median annual wage for a bachelor’s degree is $50,000 while the median annual wage for masters degree is $65,000.
Medical and health services managers
For bachelor’s degree holders, the median wage is $70,000 and for masters degree holders it is $90,000.
There can be a significant boost in salary, depending on whether you hold your bachelor’s or masters level degree. When you speak to schools about salary levels for professionals in your area, be sure to ask about the salary gap for these degree levels in your occupation of interest.
Top Organizations to Work for with an MPA Degree
Like any area of study, there are world famous organizations and companies that graduates may want to work for. These companies that “everybody knows” sometimes provide the most jobs in their sector, the most famous products, or make the biggest impact in their area of focus. If you are earning your MPA degree, you may look at these top organizations as your barometer for what you want in an employer or role.
CIA
Yes, the world’s most famous intelligence gathering organization needs people with MPA degrees to help manage the endless bureaucracy and policies that affect the organization. In fact, all law enforcement agencies, such as the ATF, FBI, and others have to pay attention strict administrative rules and procedures, and may offer career opportunities for MPH grads.
Cisco
A world-renowned leader in IT company that creates networking technology that they handle from design to manufacturing solutions. They are known to hire MPA graduates to help create effective and efficient workplace processes and policies.
AmeriCorps
If you want to work in the nonprofit sector, this organization is a great place to start your search. They need quality MPA’s to help make sure their programs run smoothly. With all of their international work, MPA’s in these roles may be able to travel and see the world!
United Nations
American MPA’s can play a pivotal role in helping shape our stances towards international policies and how they align or conflict with our homegrown values and standards. Like the AmeriCorps, working for the United Nations will help you network with people from all cultures who are doing their best to maintain a peaceful planet.
Major news organizations
Graduates with their Masters in Public Administration degree can help major news outlets vet current policy designs being put forth by politicians in D.C. The talking heads and commentary style journalists need the insight of those who understand how to research and understand where different political minds rest on these issues.
Major Hollywood Studios
Do you think most $100 million productions (low budget these days) can run smoothly without people who understand how to manage unions, hectic production schedules, shifts in schedules, laws and licensing.
You can’t be as big as Google is in tech and not need the help of graduates of MPA programs. These professionals help keep Google’s offices running smoothly across a wide network of projects, teams, initiatives, and everything else that company is doing – it’s impossible to keep up!
National Public Radio (NPR)
For millions of Americans, this is their favorite non-profit and news source. NPR needs MPA’s to function effectively, as they deliver news, interviews with political figures, activists, and promote public interest stories. NPR has satellite stations in major cities across the United States where MPA grads can pursue employment.
Teach for America
This organization works to develop the next generation of tomorrow’s teachers. They help education students across the US work towards careers, by offering them positions in classrooms in low income areas. With your MPA you can help this organization stay focused, execute its mission, and help them shape education policy in your own way.
What Careers Can You Have with an MPA Degree?
Policy Manager Career
Working as a policy manager is a multifaceted role that can include presentation data and information about policies related to your organization’s focus. For instance, you may work for a think tank to help private businesses and government agencies solve complex problems in a wide variety of areas, such as education, taxes, military affairs, and more.
City Manager Career
Think managing a team in an office is tough? Try managing an entire city, making sure all your public services were working efficiently. This work will include worker performance, project planning, budgets, and other areas where the city is responsible to the community.
Civil Service Administrator Career
This role is for highly organized and proactive workers who want to work in agencies that serve the public and apply policies created by the government. In this role, you may work directly with the public in a variety of ways, and relating to all kinds of legislation.
Director of Development Career
If you choose to work in this role, your primary concern, especially in non-profit work, is making sure you have the proper funding to operate every fiscal year. You will lead the plan to tap financial resources and generate funds as outlined in the plan you create. You will be held accountable for the execution of this plan by those at the executive and leadership level. This role may also include writing grants and personally executing strategies.
Health Services Manager Career
In this role, you can work in the expanding healthcare industry. You would be a leader in developing the core objectives for your team or organization. This may involve making sure staff has the appropriate training and up-to-date equipment on which to perform their tasks. You may also be responsible for making sure the records in your facility are collected, stored, and shared through a secure process.
Program Director Career
These professionals are accountable for designing and implementing programs at all types of companies. This role includes helping develop the guidelines for conduct and policies related to employee behavior. They may have to engage directly with the community and attend public events to shore up support for their program. Coordinating all aspects of the program, as well as creating the budget and writing grant proposals can also be part of this role.
Human Resources Career
Those who earn their MPA are also a natural fit for human resources management. With your knowledge of how to approach policy and procedures, as well as creating them from scratch, you can work in several types of companies in this role.
International Organizations Career
You can bet there are many international organizations who would benefit from having an US graduate of an MPA program. With your knowledge and skills you can help bridge the divide between our nation and those who seek our partnerships to combat global challenges.
Non-Profit Management Career
With your MPA you can work in almost every type of non-profit in management or leadership roles. These positions can vary from every type of organization you can think of that perform charity or public service related work. Whether you want to help manage your local animal shelter or work for the United Way in a management position, you can do both with this degree.
Director of Transportation Career
In this role you can make sure that transportation operations run smoothly at your company. This work is typically fast-paced, involves working with drivers, overseeing projects, and communicating to customers, as well as helping with the financial aspects of the company.
If you really want to learn more about jobs you can acquire with your MPA, contact schools in your area today to learn more about their programs. Don’t forget to compare those with online, accredited programs that teach students in your state.
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