Masters Degree in Public Administration

Rather than adhering to profit gains and losses, public administration careers involve making a significant impact in society through public policy. Also, they address human relations issues at the federal, state and local levels of government. In providing services to communities and special population segments, public administrators analyze and implement policies created to positively affect social concerns such as immigration, poverty, homeland security and urban sprawl.

Masters Degree in Public Administration – Facts

A master´s degree in public administration or MPA, offers advanced knowledge of the laws, policies and management of public service organizations. Several different types of MPAs exist such as non-profit management, policy analysis, and health care administration. Executive MPA programs offer mid-career professionals the opportunity to pursue high level government and non-profit positions, with evening and weekend course schedules to accommodate professional work life.

Most online MPA programs can be completed in three years or less while lecture type coursework is usually completed in two years. Both full-time and part-time programs as well as evening and night classes are prevalent throughout the U.S, and the degree is often sought by professionals already in the field wishing to increase salary or obtain higher level employment.

Tops Schools for a Public Administration Masters Degree

U.S. News and World Report have ranked the top schools for a master´s in public affairs, of which the MPA is a subcategory. The top three schools are Syracuse University, Harvard University and Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Online MPA programs are also growing popular in the U.S., particularly for those who'd like to attend school while still working full-time. Top online schools include Keller Graduate School of Management and DeVry University.

Work Possible with a Masters Degree in Public Administration

Possible work with a master´s degree in public administration includes jobs in local, state or federal government as well as jobs in the non-profit sector. For example, a city manager or the executive director of a charity or community development organization may each have MPAs or a related degree. Public administration employees often specialize in fundraising and finance, business operations, strategic planning or policy-making, and thus, many work in the private sector as well.

Salary and Outlook in Public Administration

Most MPA holders can expect to enter the job market at the management level, which means higher salaries and increased responsibility. In 2009, the average salary for city managers and chief administrative officers was $94,992 per year. Directors of public service departments, such as public works and human services, made between $67,330 and $74,234 per year. The expected job outlook in public administration over the 2008-2018 decade is expected to experience a 10. 2 percent increase in management employment and a 10.6 percent increase in community and social service occupations. Both of these percentages are slightly less than the average growth expected for all jobs in the U. S. economy.

A master´s degree in public administration offers a wide variety of opportunities for those interested in pursuing meaningful careers shaping public policy and addressing current societal issues. In addition, public administration careers offer an alternative to the usual corporate emphasis on the bottom line. With salaries on the high end and job prospects looking good for the next several years, a career in public administration is an excellent choice for careers in the public, private and government sectors.