What Can You Do With a Master’s in Public Administration?

Public administration is an important field that works to ensure quality of life for individuals, address social issues, and create positive change in communities. 

Public administration careers can span urban planning, parks and recreation systems, public health and safety, as well as the delivery and management of public services such as utilities, transportation, and garbage collection. Individuals who work in public administration are often employed by local, state, and federal governments and government organizations as well as foundations and nonprofits. 

As a growing field, there are nearly 7.5 million people in the public administration workforce today, with employment in this sector expected to grow 4.5% in the next ten years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

We’ll take a closer look at what a public administration degree entails and the types of roles and careers that are open to those who want to pursue a master’s in public administration (MPA) degree. 

What is a Public Administration Degree?

Students can pursue a variety of public administration degrees, whether at the bachelor, master, or doctorate level. 

A bachelor’s in public administration (BPA) provides a four-year foundational education in the principles of public administration, while a master’s in public administration (MPA) is typically either an accelerated one-year program or a two-year program that builds upon a public administration foundation. 

MPA programs offer core coursework in financial management and budgeting, research methods, technology and data analytics, public law, and risk and change management. Many MPA programs also offer courses in project management, housing and development, and sustainability and environmental systems.

MPA students who want to further their public administration education can go on to earn a PhD in either public administration or public policy.

What Can You Do With an MPA?

Public administration has broad application because it overlaps and integrates with many other disciplines, including business, law, finance, economics, governance, healthcare, and more.

As such, earning a master’s in public administration prepares students for multiple career paths that include a diverse range of job roles and responsibilities. 

Individuals with an MPA can work for cities and municipalities, law enforcement, and public school systems; or they can help shape public policy and legislation. They can hold upper-level executive and C-suite positions or work as mid-level managers, contractors, and consultants.

Roles for individuals with an MPA include:

• Executive directors
• Chief sustainability officers
• City and regional managers
• Urban and park planners
• Attorneys
• Law enforcement and police officers
• College and community college leaders
• Legislators, lobbyists, and policy leaders
• Postmasters
• School superintendents and school board officers
• Social and community service workers
• Foundation and grantmaker leaders

What Are Specific Examples of Public Administration Careers?

As shown above, there are many possible master’s in public administration (MPA) careers. Here’s more information about what specific MPA jobs may entail:

• Park manager: Develop and maintain public parks. Responsibilities can include supervising park workers and contractors, protecting park resources, maintaining park structures, and helping to plan and design future park development projects.
• Nonprofit development coordinator: Coordinate fundraising for a nonprofit organization. Responsibilities can include coordinating fundraising events, managing event volunteers and donations, and applying for grants.
• Environmental consultant: Research, analyze, and consult on environmental sustainability. Responsibilities can include making recommendations to businesses and government agencies for safeguarding public health, improving environmental safety, and increasing energy efficiency.
• Budget analyst: Work as a budget expert for a public or private organization. Responsibilities can include forecasting, planning, developing, and monitoring budgets, as well as performing cost-benefit analyses.
• Transportation director: Coordinate transportation operations in the public sector. Responsibilities can include tracking and improving performance metrics, supervising transportation personnel, and helping to design and develop future transportation projects and initiatives. 

Is a Master’s in Public Administration Right for You?

When asking, “Is a master’s in public administration worth it?” consider your interest in playing a consequential role in society. Individuals who pursue MPA careers may feel moved to help identify societal problems, develop and implement solutions and policies that improve lives, and ensure existing municipal and social systems run efficiently and effectively. 

Earning an advanced degree in public administration provides the essential education, training, and tools to help public-minded individuals make a difference and build a meaningful career.

Expand your understanding of public administration with an online Master of Public Administration degree from Wake Forest University’s School of Professional Studies (SPS). Learn more today.