Master's Degree in Public Administration
This master's degree trains students in public administration, preparing them for leadership roles in government, non-profits, and public service organizations.
About
The Master's Degree in Public Administration is a graduate program designed for students interested in managing public sector organizations and policies. It is aimed at those who want to develop skills in leadership, policy analysis, and public management. Graduates often pursue careers in government agencies, non-profit organizations, or international institutions.
- The degree typically takes 1 to 2 years to complete after a bachelor's degree.
- It focuses on understanding how public institutions operate and how policies are developed and implemented.
- The program suits students who want to contribute to public service and community development.
- It prepares students for roles that require decision-making and strategic planning in the public sector.
- The degree is recognized across the United States and can be a stepping stone for leadership positions.
What you study
The curriculum covers a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for public administration. Courses build progressively to deepen understanding and application.
- Students study public policy analysis and organizational management to grasp how public institutions function.
- Courses include budgeting and financial management to learn how public funds are allocated and controlled.
- There is a strong focus on leadership and ethics in the public sector.
- Students often engage in case studies and project work to apply concepts to real-world situations.
- Some programs may include internships or practical workshops to gain hands-on experience.
- The program encourages critical thinking about public issues and problem-solving strategies.
How to get in
Admission to this master's program requires a bachelor's degree and follows a formal application process in the US higher education system.
- Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- They typically submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
- Some programs may require GRE scores, though this varies by school.
- Relevant work or volunteer experience in public service can strengthen an application.
- Admissions committees look for candidates with strong communication skills and a commitment to public affairs.
- The process is competitive but accessible to motivated students with clear goals.
Day to day
The academic year involves coursework, projects, and sometimes internships, with a pace that balances theory and practice.
- Students attend lectures and seminars regularly throughout the semesters.
- They work on group projects that simulate public administration challenges.
- Many programs encourage or require a practical internship in a government or non-profit organization.
- The workload includes reading, writing reports, and preparing presentations.
- Some programs offer part-time or evening classes to accommodate working students.
- There is usually no formal alternance system, but internships provide practical exposure.
Careers this degree leads to
Graduates find opportunities in various public and non-profit sectors, where their skills are in demand for managing programs and policies.
- Common roles include policy analyst, public affairs manager, and program coordinator.
- Government agencies at local, state, and federal levels often recruit graduates.
- Non-profit organizations and international institutions also offer employment possibilities.
- The degree helps develop skills valued in public service leadership and administration.
- Job placement is generally steady, especially for those with relevant experience.
- Networking and internships during the program can facilitate entry into the job market.
Continuing your studies
After this master's degree, students may choose to continue their studies or shift focus within public administration or related fields.
- Some pursue a doctoral degree (PhD) in public administration or policy for academic or research careers.
- Others may specialize further with certificates or diplomas in areas like urban planning or non-profit management.
- There are options to reorient towards law or business administration depending on career goals.
Where to study this degree (200)
Liste des 200 établissements
- California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks
- Wilmington UniversityNew Castle
- Ohio Dominican UniversityColumbus
- Sullivan UniversityLouisville
- Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury
- Cheyney University of PennsylvaniaCheyney
- Saint Louis UniversitySt Louis
- Indiana Wesleyan UniversityMarion
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin
- Columbia UniversityNew York
- Harvard UniversityCambridge
- New York UniversityNew York
- Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix
- American UniversityWashington
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles
- University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse
- Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington
- California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge
- University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia
- Baruch CollegeNew York
- Columbia Southern UniversityOrange Beach
- John Jay College of Criminal JusticeNew York
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg
- Florida State UniversityTallahassee
- Cornell UniversityIthaca
- University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver
- Texas A & M University-College StationCollege Station
- University of Phoenix-ArizonaPhoenix
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus
- Rutgers University-NewarkNewark
- University of Central FloridaOrlando
- University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia
- Northwestern UniversityEvanston
- Anna Maria CollegePaxton
- California State University, Long BeachLong Beach
- Brigham Young UniversityProvo
- Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro
- Florida International UniversityMiami
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg
- Villanova UniversityVillanova
- Barry UniversityMiami
- California State University, Dominguez HillsCarson
- National UniversitySan Diego
- The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington
- Northeastern UniversityBoston
- Walden UniversityMinneapolis
- Ohio University LancasterAthens
- California State University, San BernardinoSan Bernardino
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe
- University at AlbanyAlbany
- Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore
- George Mason UniversityFairfax
- Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill
- Troy UniversityTroy
- Southern Utah UniversityCedar City
- American Public University SystemCharles Town
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego
- The Evergreen State CollegeOlympia
- Marist CollegePoughkeepsie
- Missouri State UniversitySpringfield
- Binghamton UniversityBinghamton
- Purdue University GlobalWest Lafayette
- George Washington UniversityWashington
- Pennsylvania State University-World CampusUniversity Park
- Suffolk UniversityBoston
- Golden Gate UniversitySan Francisco
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh
- North Carolina Central UniversityDurham
- University of Nevada, Las VegasLas Vegas
- Valdosta State UniversityValdosta
- The University of MontanaMissoula
- University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha
- Park UniversityParkville
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant
- University of Illinois at SpringfieldSpringfield
- Murray State UniversityMurray
- Calumet College of Saint JosephWhiting
- Fairleigh Dickinson UniversityTeaneck
- Clark UniversityWorcester
- Texas Southern UniversityHouston
- Clemson UniversityClemson
- University of UtahSalt Lake City
- University of BaltimoreBaltimore
- University of GuamMangilao
- The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio
- Capella UniversityMinneapolis
- Drake UniversityDes Moines
- California State University, East BayHayward
- Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond
- Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk
- Tennessee State UniversityNashville
- Georgia State UniversityAtlanta
- Rutgers University-CamdenCamden
- Portland State UniversityPortland
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff
- Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond
- Northern Illinois UniversityDeKalb
- The University of Texas of the Permian BasinOdessa
- North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh
- Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville
- Middlebury Institute of International Studies at MontereyMonterey
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco
- University of San FranciscoSan Francisco
- University of La VerneLa Verne
- University of New HavenWest Haven
- Franklin UniversityColumbus
- Kean UniversityUnion
- San Jose State UniversitySan Jose
- Clayton State UniversityMorrow
- University of West GeorgiaCarrollton
- Cumberland UniversityLebanon
- California State University, BakersfieldBakersfield
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge
- University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs
- Cleveland State UniversityCleveland
- University of North TexasDenton
- Post UniversityWaterbury
- Strayer University-GeorgiaChamblee
- West Chester UniversityWest Chester
- Tarleton State UniversityStephenville
- University of KansasLawrence
- Strayer University-North CarolinaGreensboro
- University of Rhode IslandKingston
- Kent State University at KentKent
- University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroe
- Bowie State UniversityBowie
- University of AlabamaTuscaloosa
- California Baptist UniversityRiverside
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- Excelsior CollegeAlbany
- University of South AlabamaMobile
- University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City
- SUNY BrockportBrockport
- University of New HampshireDurham
- Auburn UniversityAuburn
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale
- Boise State UniversityBoise
- Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins
- Wichita State UniversityWichita
- California State University Los AngelesLos Angeles
- Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw
- Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville
- University of South FloridaTampa
- University of ArizonaTucson
- University of North GeorgiaDahlonega
- University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham
- University of IdahoMoscow
- Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee
- University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro
- University of Central OklahomaEdmond
- University of North Carolina at PembrokePembroke
- University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington
- Delaware State UniversityDover
- University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasSan Juan
- Texas A&M International UniversityLaredo
- The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso
- The University of Texas at DallasRichardson
- University of MemphisMemphis
- University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia
- Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort Myers
- Savannah State UniversitySavannah
- St. Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud
- Metropolitan College of New YorkNew York
- Seattle UniversitySeattle
- Albany State UniversityAlbany
- University of OklahomaNorman
- Regent UniversityVirginia Beach
- Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale
- Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights
- University of Michigan–FlintFlint
- University of MiamiCoral Gables
- University of KentuckyLexington
- University of OregonEugene
- Texas State UniversitySan Marcos
- Westfield State UniversityWestfield
- James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg
- California State University, FullertonFullerton
- Lipscomb UniversityNashville
- Aurora UniversityAurora
- Claremont Lincoln UniversityClaremont
- University of Alaska SoutheastJuneau
- University of Illinois ChicagoChicago
- University of WyomingLaramie
- Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge
- Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville
- Strayer University-Global RegionWashington
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo
- University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock
- California State University, SacramentoSacramento
- University of North DakotaGrand Forks
- University of Wisconsin–OshkoshOshkosh
- College of CharlestonCharleston
- Virginia TechBlacksburg
- Clark Atlanta UniversityAtlanta
Frequently asked questions
What prior education is needed to apply for this master's degree?
Applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Relevant experience or coursework in social sciences or related fields can be helpful but is not always required.
Is work experience necessary before starting the program?
While not always mandatory, having experience in public service or related sectors can strengthen your application and help you connect theory with practice during the program.
Are internships part of the curriculum?
Many programs encourage or require internships to provide practical experience. These internships often take place in government offices, non-profits, or public agencies.
Can I study this degree part-time while working?
Some universities offer part-time or evening classes to accommodate working students, allowing flexibility in balancing studies and professional life.
What kinds of jobs can I get after graduation?
Graduates often work as policy analysts, program coordinators, or managers in government, non-profits, or international organizations focused on public service.
Is this degree recognized across the United States?
Yes, the degree is widely recognized and respected in the US public administration field, opening doors to various public sector roles.
Can I continue my studies after this master's degree?
Yes, many graduates pursue doctoral studies or specialized certificates to deepen their expertise or shift focus within related fields.
Do I need to take the GRE to apply?
Requirements vary by university; some programs ask for GRE scores while others do not. Always check specific admission criteria for each school.


























