Masters In Public Administration

The field of public administration — or administrative services — focuses on the formation and management of public agencies. Public administration studies focus on issues such as public resources, accountability, and the description, analysis, solutions and synthesis of contemporary management problems in criminal justice agencies. Public administration careers also exist at every level of government.

Also, a “new” public sector is defined as: government, Nonprofits/NGOs, international, consulting and education. Many people today move from one sector to another as they tackle the challenging issues that define the public agenda. Some of the major issues include:

• Climate change and underlying causes
• Food and water supplies in underdeveloped nations
• Securing the U.S. and other countries against terrorism
• Helping to transition incarcerated individuals back into society
• Tackling the global HIV/AIDS issue
• Providing paths for quality education and health care to children in poverty
• Providing new economic resources to urban areas in transition

These issues are just a small piece of the entire picture, as public administrators seek to implement programs without raising taxes. Further, public administration should be politically neutral, as jobs within this sector may cross over the lifespan of several government administrations. Finally, public administration might value people over productivity.

What This Job Entails

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people in public administration jobs analyze information, oversee expenditures, draft and implement governmental and public policy, manage people and resources, conduct safety inspections, investigate suspected criminal activity, serve as consultants, and in general act as stewards of the public interest.

Since public administrator positions vary from state to state, a person with a degree in public administration might look at city or state employment job lists or government records to find more accurate job descriptions. For instance, in Nevada, a job listing [PDF] for public administrator combines those skills with that of an estate investigator. The job listing is specific about the skills and education required for this position, although it does not list a salary.

Other specific public administration job titles include Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Inspector, auditor, city manager, consumer safety inspector, county manager, criminal investigator, customs inspector, industrial relations specialist, internal security inspector, labor management relations specialist, mediator, private investigator and systems analyst.

Many graduates work for government agencies and nonprofit groups, but there are also positions available in private business, schools and think tanks. Graduates of a degree program in Public Administration might be found working as human health care managers or administrators, human resources managers or in executive governmental positions such as city manager. Some public administrator jobs combine skill sets, as noted above.

The American Society for Public Administration, in partnership with the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) and the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM), recently unveiled a new career web site, PublicServiceCareers.org. This site offers plenty of career advice and articles, personal profiles on accomplished public servants, information on graduate degrees (MPA & MPP) as well as information on key events in the world of public service.

Educational Requirements

While public service careers span a wide range of organizations and jobs, most public service education includes learning about public policy, organizational theory, economics, political science, management, accounting, sociology and psychology.

The number of bachelor’s degrees in public administration/public policy has been increasing over the past two decades, as has the number of available minors in the field. The advantage of an undergraduate program is the ability to take a sequence of courses related to a specific issue. Also, if students want to pursue further education, a gap between practice at the bachelor’s degree level and a graduate degree may provide a bridge between theory and practice.

The master’s programs in public administration include the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Master of Public Policy (MPP). Other well-known professional degrees of similar status are the MBA (business), JD (law), MD (medicine), MSW (social work) and MPH (public health). International, non-U.S. versions of the MPA often contain a business component, making the degree more similar to an MBA. MPA/MPP degrees usually require four semesters of course work and a summer internship.

If you wish to pursue further education, the PhD is a terminal degree but one that often leads to a very different career track than would an MPA/MPP. Most PhD programs in public administration do not require prospective students to first earn a master’s degree. There are certain career tracks outside of higher education that expect the persons in those positions to have earned the PhD, which are much more competitive than for an MPA/MPP.

Earnings

According to the BLS, administrative service managers’ wages vary greatly depending upon the employer, the specialty, and the geographic area. In general, however, median annual wages of salaried administrative services managers in May 2008 were $73,520. If you follow the BLS link, you’ll see that — despite the heavy emphasis on public administration jobs within the government — administrators who work for private companies may earn more money.

While the BLS link goes into great details about monies earned by administrative services managers, this material does not specifically address public service managers. Additionally, PayScale offers little information for individuals who hold an MPA degree. They do state that, while job opportunities at NGOs may have diminished recently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a greater increase in jobs in government than the private sector over the next five years.

Simply Hired, a job search site, takes public administrator positions logged in its database to create an average salary for this position. Currently, this job site shows that public administrators earn an average of $55,000 per year.

Conclusion

Individuals who seek jobs in public administration might think ahead about where they want to work and search for job opportunities in that area before pursuing higher education. The skill sets involved in these jobs vary widely, and a person who has a firm education in administration and a background in public service has a higher chance of obtaining those positions. However, looking ahead at job requirements can put anyone in the position of achieving that dream job with confidence.

Guide to Masters in Public Administration Programs

Masters in public administration are geared toward students looking to work in higher level or leadership positions within the public sector. Most programs include a thorough exploration of executive organization, management, and development. Below are schools the offer online programs in masters of public administration.

MA in Public Policy & Admin	Northwestern University – NU offers fast-paced curriculum that follows industry standards and best practices to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. This gives students an education with real-world applications that they can use immediately upon graduation. The MA in Public Policy & Admin can be completed on a timeline comfortable to you, allowing for fast-paced students to excel or busy students to manage their time easier.
Master of Public Admin MPA Health Policy MPA Homeland Security Policy MPA Interdisciplinary Studies MPA Policy Analysis MPA Nonprofit Management	Walden University – Walden University offers a huge variety of online master of public administration degrees. These degrees for those that want to become a nonprofit organization leader, public administrator, influence health policy, join homeland security, enter interdisciplinary policy studies, become policy analyzer, or study law and public policy. Walden uses career-oriented curriculum and engaging assignments to provide students with an education that can be applied to real-world situations.
MPA – Public Administration	Post University – Post University has an accredited Masters of Public Administration program that has private, public, and even military applications. Post University has worked with industry professionals to develop career-oriented curriculum and engaging exercises. Classes are centered around developing a student's managerial, organizational, financial-planning, and communication skills to take on high-level and leadership positions.
Master in Political Management	The George Washington University – GWU offers an online Master of Public Administration degree programs that focuses on political management. Graduates are placed in the center of an always-evolving industry with exciting opportunities around every turn. GWU’s degree program focuses on providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully fill key leadership and administrative positions in the political environment.
MPA – Public Administration	University of Phoenix – One of the nation's leading universities, University of Phoenix offers a number of online programs. Their accredited online Masters in Public Administration programs are designed to meet a variety of career goals. They include online programs for those that want to become public administrators. Each program can be completed in under two years, making this a fast way to advance your career.
Master of Public Admin MPA – Criminal Justice MPA – Governmental Mgmt.	Kaplan University – Kaplan University’s accredited online Masters in Public Administration degrees are designed for those that want to become a public administrator, while the other for those that want to enter governmental management or criminal justice. Both are fully online degrees that can be completed relatively quickly and on your own schedule. These positions are centered in an industry always seeking highly-skilled individuals.
Master of Public Admin	Capella University – As one of the nation’s largest providers of online education, Capella University offers an accredited online Masters in Public Administration degree,designed to be convenient to you and completed at a fast-pace compared to campus programs. This degree is for students who want to obtain a masters in public administration and quickly achieve their career goals.
MBA Public Administration MA/OM Public Administration Master of Public Admin MA Education & Public Policy	Ashford University – Ashford University offers a wide range of masters in public administration online programs. Some of the most popular include those designed for: becoming a public administrator, entering organization leadership, obtaining public leadership credentials, teaching entering education and public policy. All of these degrees help prepare students to take on issues that can shape the world of tomorrow.
MPA in Govt & Policy MPA in Healthcare Policy	Grand Canyon University – Grand Canyon University’s Master of Public Administration degrees help prepare students for a career in the public sector. There are two degrees available through online classes: healthcare policy and government & policy. The Master of Public Administration programs are structured so students will obtain the skills and knowledge needed for successful careers in the public eye.
MPA Public Admin	Strayer University – As an accredited and highly-rated college, Strayer University offers students flexibility and freedom of choice for selecting the course type that best fits their needs. The online programs are great for students who have inconsistent schedules or even busy lives. The Masters of Public Administration degree can position student to take on high level roles as policy makers.
Master of Public Admin	Duquesne University – Duquesne University, one of the top providers of education in the country, has an accredited Masters in Community Leadership available through online courses. Online courses can be completed in an environment of your choosing, and can cut many of the costs associated with campus programs. In addition, the course is excellent for students who want to quickly advance their careers.
MPA Public Administration	Bellevue University – The Masters of Public Administration degree at Bellevue University is available through accredited online and campus classes. The online courses can be completed at a pace that is comfortable to you and in an environment of your choosing. Moreover, the assignments can be worked on any computer - no special software needed - at home, at school, or even on the go.
Master of Nonprofit Management	Regis University – Regis University has a Masters of Nonprofit Management that focuses on teaching students the core competencies needed for leadership and administration positions, like communication, task prioritization, project management and organization, planning, and human interaction skills. This degree, through online programs, can be completed in only 18 months and can be worked on from any computer, no special software required.
Master of Public Admin	University of Southern California – A nation-wide leader in education, USC gives students an opportunity to obtain an accredited Masters degree in Public Admin. This degree is available in both online and campus courses, giving students the choice that best fits their situation and schedule. This program is designed for students who want to become public administrators or other high level leadership positions.
MPA – State & Local Govt MPA – Emergency Preparedness MPA – Homeland Security	Argosy University – Argosy University offers multiple online masters in public administration programs that are fast-paced and convenient. Their online programs are designed for those who want to pursue high level admin positions like a governmental administrator, enter emergency preparedness and response, or join homeland security. Students will learn and develop core skills necessary to become the leaders of the future.
MPA – Nonprofit Organizations MPA – General Study MPA – Public Personnel Mgmt	Upper Iowa University – Upper Iowa University is a leader in accredited online public administration education. Their online masters programs offer convenience and fast-paced curriculum. Their public administration programs are designed for those who are focused on nonprofit organization management, public administration, and finally, becoming a public personnel manager. These programs are a great, affordable way to open paths to lucrative careers.
Master of Public Admin MPA – Public Policy	South University – South University, offers two online masters in public administration degrees. The first is designed for those that want to become a public administrator, whereas the second is designed for those that want to influence public policy. The curriculum in both degrees is created to reflect the current environment in order to give students key qualifications needed to take on positions in the field.

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