What Is a Public Administration Degree?

What to Expect in a Public Administration Degree Program

A public administration degree strengthens analytical, research, and writing skills, and enrollees attend lectures, complete individual and group projects, and conduct research. For example, students may evaluate a public policy and write research papers suggesting changes. They may also design public sector budgets, create emergency response plans, or recommend public health policies through persuasive writing.

Public administration majors gain practical skills in budget analysis, public policy analysis, and public planning. The coursework and assignments also emphasize soft skills such as communication and collaboration. These skills serve public administrators in several roles.

What Kinds of Public Administration Degrees Are There?

Colleges and universities offer public administration degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Each degree introduces students to core and advanced public administration concepts and prepares learners for different career opportunities. For example, a bachelor's in public administration prepares students for entry-level public sector jobs, while a master's degree opens doors for supervisory and leadership roles.

This section introduces the different types of public administration degrees and describes the career opportunities of each pathway.

Associate Degree in Public Administration

An associate degree in public administration introduces learners to the responsibilities of public administrators at different levels, including local administrators like city managers, state administration jobs, and federal public sector jobs.

Students take courses in American government, state and local government, nonprofit management, and program assessment. At the associate level, learners also build foundational skills in communication, mathematics, and business.

Graduates with a two-year associate degree can work as city clerks, accounting clerks, and administrative assistants. Associate degree-holders may also transfer into four-year universities to pursue bachelor's degrees.

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration

A bachelor's degree in public administration prepares graduates for entry-level roles in public, private, and nonprofit sector jobs. The degree builds strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Public administration majors study policy analysis, public financial management, and public program evaluation. Some programs offer concentrations in emergency management, public management, and financial management.

Earning a bachelor's in public administration degree typically takes four years for full-time students. In addition to public administration courses, undergraduates complete general education requirements that build critical thinking and problem-solving skills. After earning their degrees, graduates often find work as case managers, regional planners, policy analysts, and budget analysts.

Master's Degree in Public Administration

A master of public administration (MPA) offers focused, graduate-level training for public service careers. During a master's program, public administration students learn to evaluate public policies, research community needs, manage public sector budgets, and design strategic plans. The degree builds strong analytical skills through research projects and a master's thesis.

Earning an MPA typically takes two years for full-time students. MPA graduates can work as city managers, community service managers, emergency planners, and public health administrators.

Doctoral Degree in Public Administration

A doctorate in public administration prepares graduates for academic, research, and leadership roles in the field. Doctoral students focus on theoretical or applied public administration and conduct research in their focus areas. Some programs train enrollees as practitioners, while others develop academic training for careers as professors.

Each doctoral candidate must pass examinations and write a dissertation. The degree typically takes three years for full-time students. After earning their doctorates, graduates can work as city managers, program directors, public administration professors, and public policy researchers.

Accreditation for Public Administration Programs

Prospective public administration applicants should always choose accredited colleges. Regionally accredited schools meet the highest standards for educating students and granting degrees.

In addition to college accreditation, prospective students should pursue accredited public administration programs. The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration grants accreditation to public administration programs.

What Can You Do With a Degree in Public Administration?

Public administration graduates often work in public service roles, including at the state and local levels. After earning a degree in public administration, graduates work in government, social services, regional planning, public relations, and public policy roles.

Enrollees develop strong communication and analytical skills, which can lead to opportunities in public relations, business, and education. Finally, a public administration background can open the door to careers in emergency management, disaster response, and public health administration.

What Kind of Salary Can I Earn With a Public Administration Degree?

Public administration graduates can pursue many different career paths. They work as city managers, budget analysts, public administration consultants, and community service managers. Whether working in the public, nonprofit, or private sector, professionals with public administration degrees earn a wide range of salaries, as the following information demonstrates.

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