No matter what industry you work in, an MA in Public Administration Distance Learning can open doors to leadership and management roles or help you secure promotion in current positions.
This online program will teach you to manage people, organizations, and the community from a holistic standpoint. It focuses on how society, government, and states interact.
Master of Arts in Public Administration
Master of Public Administration (MPA) degrees provide graduate-level students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead in government, nonprofit organizations, and other sectors – including urban planning and regional planning, as well as government agency administration jobs. Though highly competitive, this field offers multiple career opportunities for those interested in making a difference for their community.
Applying to MPA programs typically requires a bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.5 GPA, and additional requirements may vary by program; typically, they include passing the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) score and work experience requirements. A GRE score of 300 or above is considered competitive among many programs – this standardized exam measures academic aptitude and helps predict how you’ll fare in graduate school.
MPA programs focus on the fundamental principles and practices of public administration, policy development, and leadership and management techniques applied to public service projects. Graduates learn these techniques for use as administrative assistants, community managers or government analysts in any number of career roles ranging from administrative assistance, community manager or government analyst roles through to specialization such as healthcare or urban and regional planning; others choose generalist degrees that allow them to use leadership abilities across a variety of fields such as law enforcement or business administration.
Many online MPA programs offer flexible options that meet the needs of working professionals. This makes them ideal for students balancing school with other obligations such as work. This list features programs with various scheduling options, from self-paced courses to evening seminars; the Network of Schools of Public Policy Affairs and Administration even accredits some.
An MPA in Healthcare Administration equips graduates for leadership positions at hospitals and other medical facilities, from managing fiscal to human resource issues. Students also develop the necessary strategic planning and budgeting abilities. This program is ideal for anyone who aspires to make a difference in the health of their community.
Students enrolled in this program gain knowledge of organizational leadership theories and methods as well as interpersonal and group dynamics that shape leaders. These courses explore current issues and debates in public administration as well as tools and strategies for policy analysis. Furthermore, this course addresses the unique challenges and opportunities presented by government agencies. Students learn to identify how public agencies differ from private businesses in terms of culture, structure, and operation; furthermore, they gain skills for working effectively with individuals and groups toward public service goals. Students also develop strong fundamentals in critical thinking and quantitative analysis that will bolster their professional decision-making processes. Furthermore, they gain skills for evaluating public policies’ effects on local, national, and global governance structures, as well as finding innovative solutions to real-world problems that will make an impactful difference to society at large.
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
An advanced degree in public administration equips students for various government jobs. Coursework typically focuses on leadership, organizational theory, management, and public policy development and implementation, as well as budgeting, financial accounting, and other topics relevant to administering government programs.
Public administration students come from varying professional and academic backgrounds, yet all share an intrinsic desire to serve the community. “Most people that come to us looking for an MPA are motivated by wanting to serve and make a difference,” notes Goldberg. “They may not necessarily gravitate toward any specific organization.”
Many MPA graduates find employment within government or private organizations; some may work at local, state, and federal agencies, while others find work with nonprofits or NGOs. Others still can be seen as research analysts in academia or as consultants to the government or industry.
Some colleges provide MPA degrees online, which is an attractive alternative for working professionals with busy schedules. An online program offers more flexibility than a traditional degree program can and can often be completed more quickly than its standard equivalent.
An MPA degree can also serve as a gateway to high-level government or policy positions and can prove helpful to anyone looking to start community-based businesses or nongovernmental organizations of their own.
SmartAsset reports that graduate schools of public administration (MPA) offer additional initiatives designed to link their students with job market realities. SmartAsset found that several MPA programs collaborate with engaged alumni networks and professional networks in order to offer students internships, fellowships, field-specific conferences, and other career development opportunities to hone their careers.
Be sure to consider a program’s reputation and accreditation when choosing an MPA program. Accredited programs will appear on the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration’s Roster of Accredited Programs; the University of Michigan’s MPA program has earned this status and maintains close ties with public service organizations to give graduates access to career-enhancing opportunities.
Another critical factor when selecting a public administration program is its faculty. A good school should provide professors who possess real-world expertise that they can apply when teaching their students. Goldberg of National University states that their MPA faculty are current practitioners who bring real-life experience from various fields like law enforcement, healthcare, homeland security, disaster management, mediation, and the military into their classroom discussions. This allows students to learn how to address a range of different issues and find multifaceted solutions. Furthermore, the program offers elective courses so students can focus their studies on topics most relevant to them. As part of its core and elective courses, this program also requires students to complete a capstone project that allows them to demonstrate their mastery of their field. Typically presented at the end of their second year of studies, this project can take the form of either a thesis or master’s project.
