What can you do with a masters in public administration

Q: Is a masters in public administration useful?

With an MPA degree, youll gain access to an extensive range of career paths. This is one of the biggest pros of an MPA program for those in the public and nonprofit sectors. Youll be prepared for positions at all levels of government—federal, state, and local.

The public administration masters program through CCU can help you get a job in public service or the private sector.

If you have already earned your bachelor's degree, a master's degree in public administration can prepare you for a multitude of roles within a nonprofit, a large business organization, or with the government.

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Here are a few careers the MPA degree can prepare you for:
City or County Manager
Local Government Administrator
Policy Analyst
Charity or Foundation Manager or Director
Budget Director
Association or Nonprofit Executive
Economic or Business Development Director
Public Affairs Director
Public Administration Consultant
1. Local, State, and Federal Government Public Administration Careers
2. Non-profit and NGO Careers
3. Private Business Careers
Is a masters in public administration useful?
What can you do with your masters in public administration?
What is the best job for public administration?
Is an MBA or MPA better?

Colorado Christian University offers an online MPA degree, which allows you to balance your professional career and personal life with the accomplishment of earning your master's degree. This online MPA program can be completed in as little as 15 months. You'll learn about and gain experience in governmental law, budgeting, public policy, and how to be a leader in the public administration field

Here are a few careers the MPA degree can prepare you for:

City or County Manager

The position of city or county manager comes with a lot of responsibility. In this role, you will supervise all day-to-day activities of the city or county. You will also be responsible for the management of all staff, operations, and city/county budgets.

Local Government Administrator

Once you have your MPA degree and gain experience in administration you may become a commodity for federal, state, and local government departments. These departments seek qualified professionals to run their agencies with efficiency. This position's duties include supervising employees, overseeing budgets, and managing other everyday operations within a department or division of the government.

Policy Analyst

Policies or programs under consideration by a government or a government agency will have both positive and negative effects on the public being served (and taxed). Government organizations therefore often employ professionals to thoroughly analyze these potential effects.

Charity or Foundation Manager or Director

If you're interested in making an impact in your community, consider working for a charity or foundation. As the director or manager of an organization, you will oversee raising funds for events or programs. You may also manage how donated funds are spent.

Budget Director

Another career within a charity or foundation is the position of budget director. In this role, you may work at a state, local, or federal level. You will manage the process that oversees how public funds are utilized in a transparent manner. This role may also require you to provide analytics and financial reporting.

Association or Nonprofit Executive

The role of an association or nonprofit executive can include many different tasks, depending on the company or organization you work for. You will need management, organization, and leadership skills, as well as problem-solving capabilities.

Economic or Business Development Director

As an economic development director, you will work with businesses and local communities to create and implement a strategy for a solid economic base. In this role, you may work on a city, state, or federal level.

Public Affairs Director

An important aspect of every business and organization that works with the government is having someone on the team who understands the operational aspects of the government. In this role, you may work with appointed or elected officials of the government. You will represent your company or organization in a way that is efficient and insightful.

Public Administration Consultant

As a public administration consultant, you will be a key player in supporting the needs of policymakers and program directors. You will consult with your clients or team about the best choices to make per situation, as well as assist with any other local, state, and federal operation decisions.

With a public administration master's degree from CCU, you will not only be equipped to succeed in these fields but also be able to approach challenges with a biblical worldview. If you would like more information about CCU’s MPA program, click "learn more" now.

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Master in Public Administration (MPA) degrees provide educational foundations for managerial and leadership positions in the public and non-profit sectors.

Today, one of the career features most demanded by soon-to-be graduates is the possibility of making a real impact in the world — of influencing people and inspiring positive change. This is no different for those currently in public service roles and an advanced degree is often a key credential required to move into a managerial role of impact and influence. For these individuals, a graduate degree in public administration offers the tactical and strategic leadership skills needed to influence local and regional change while opening the door to many roles in non-profit, public and private sectors.

1. Local, State, and Federal Government Public Administration Careers

A Master in Public Administration (MPA) degree is commonly associated with leadership positions in public services that could span roles impacting the military, emergency services, law enforcement, public transit, public works, education, social services and healthcare. Careers in the public sector are highly sought after, particularly because public administration jobs offer opportunities to influence and create noticeable change within our communities. MPA graduates often work in fields such as:

Fire Service Administration
Emergency Management
Law Enforcement
Public Education and Administration
Fiscal Planning
Human Resource Management
Parks and Recreation
Transportation
Urban Planning and Development
Utilities
Public Works

Public administration graduates are also well-positioned to consider service in political careers such as a congressperson, senator, mayor, governor or cabinet official. These positions all require ample experience researching, understanding, and drafting public policy; skills which are developed as part of a public administration education.

2. Non-profit and NGO Careers

Non-profit companies and non-government organizations are integral for influencing and creating positive change in the public sector. Public administration graduates who elect to work in this sector provide their services to organizations devoted to supporting public missions and philanthropic groups.

Social welfare organizations are prime examples of employment opportunities in this industry. Institutions like AARP and YMCA seek out those with a master’s degree in public administration to assist in policy development and department management. (Is this accurate?)

Local chambers of commerce look to individuals with public administration skillsets to lead local groups and organizations to community success. Here, MPA graduates can work closely with private and public sectors, researching existing public policy and working with local business owners to create new policies to benefit the economy. (Is this accurate?)

At Anna Maria College, faculty members are highly recognized leaders in public administration and many still contribute to the field today.

Universities are always looking for experienced public administration graduates to train a new generation of dedicated workers. The demand for this field of knowledge continues to grow, and many colleges are looking to expand their public administration programs. At Anna Maria College (a non-profit university), faculty members are highly recognized leaders in public administration and many still contribute to their fields today.

3. Private Business Careers

Public policy impacts more than individuals; in fact, businesses are increasingly overlapping with public policy especially in terms of social responsibility. In response, organizations of all kinds are looking toward business-focused public administration graduates for information and help navigating their business through changes in political, technological, economic and social policy. Public administration graduates like these are often called upon to act as lobbyists who can influence lawmakers on behalf of companies that require government aid to continue their business. (Is this accurate?)

Learn more

Learn more about the career opportunities that an online Master of Public Administration from Anna Maria College can offer by calling 877-265-3201 or request more information.

Is a masters in public administration useful?

With an MPA degree, you'll gain access to an extensive range of career paths. This is one of the biggest pros of an MPA program for those in the public and nonprofit sectors. You'll be prepared for positions at all levels of government—federal, state, and local.

What can you do with your masters in public administration?

What Kinds of Jobs Can You Get with a Public Administration Master's Degree?.

Program Managers..

Budget Analysts..

Operations Managers..

Executive Directors..

Project Managers..

What is the best job for public administration?

Career Options in Public Administration.

Activist..

Business Administrator..

Event Coordinator..

Executive Assistant..

Foreign Correspondent..

Foreign Service Officer..

Government Relations Manager..

Human Resource Specialist..

Is an MBA or MPA better?

Both the MBA and the MPA can help your career progression and salary prospects. MPA graduates benefit from less competition, as there are fewer graduates fighting for the same jobs, though MBAs tend to earn more as they work predominantly for for-profit organizations.