There are many public administrators who hold various degrees in public administration. While some may hold a Master’s degree, there are others who have obtained a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Those who hold a Bachelor’s degree are usually required to complete a minimum of two years of coursework, however the requirements are much more lenient in most states than they are with the Master’s degree requirements. For those who are interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, there are a variety of options, including on-campus or online. In either case, the student will need to apply for admission into the program at the local community college or university of their choice.
The University of Phoenix, Kaplan University, and New College of Florida are just a few of the colleges that offer the Master’s degree in Public Administration. Those who are interested in pursuing this degree should begin by applying to a few of the more prestigious universities to get an idea of what each program has to offer. Once the student has decided which degree program they want to pursue, they can begin the process of applying through the community college of their choice. As long as the student meets the criteria set by the college, they can expect to receive their degree within five years.
Those interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration will have to attend a minimum of two semesters for this degree to be complete. Students who are looking to improve their chances of being accepted into a Master’s degree program should take a course or courses that relate to government and governance, which include a significant amount of reading regarding law, budgeting and government planning, public policy, and even international issues. Students who are interested in applying for a Master’s degree in Public Administration should take a course or courses that include statistics, as this is a necessary component of understanding the workings of the American government and its processes.
With a Master’s degree in Public Administration, students can also specialize in any number of areas, such as political science or government, business administration, government or nonprofit management. Students may choose to work in the private or public sector and gain a number of experiences while studying, such as working in a nonprofit organization that provides services to organizations or individuals.
Upon graduating from a Master’s degree in Public Administration program, students will be able to apply for jobs at the local, state and federal government agencies that offer employment in various capacities. In many cases, they will be required to work within one of those agencies to help direct its mission. In many areas of government, a Master’s degree in Public Administration will lead to a position in the Office of Policy Development or an administrative role in the department in which they received their degree.
There are some benefits to working at the local, state and federal government, such as access to information about federal grant opportunities, career opportunities, training in certain areas of the workforce and networking opportunities that could lead to advancing your public administration career. The skills learned in the classroom can be very beneficial, and the experience gained may open many doors.
Many people interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration may decide to work in the financial sector, such as financial consulting firms, as well as other business-related endeavors, such as in the field of politics or education. Whatever the path chosen, pursuing an education in this field can open many doors.
