If you’re passionate about improving communities, solving complex problems, or leading change within government or nonprofit organizations, a career in public administration could be your calling. Public administrators are the behind-the-scenes professionals who help bring policies to life, ensuring that essential services—like healthcare, education, and housing—run efficiently and effectively.
Earning a Master of Public Administration (MPA) can open the door to leadership roles in a variety of sectors. In this article, we’ll explore what public administrators do and the types of careers you can pursue with an MPA.
Public administration involves the design, organization, and execution of public affairs and policies. However, this definition doesn’t fully capture the importance of public administrators. These far-reaching leaders in government and nonprofit organizations plan, analyze, and coordinate activities and manage the achievement of public goals.
Public administrators can wield tremendous influence, and many of them play pivotal roles in local, state, and federal governments and in a variety of nonprofit organizations, in essential areas including:
Public administration is devoted to the noble cause of public service. This makes public administrators a source of stability within government agencies, especially during transitions of power.
To carry out this responsibility effectively, public administrators must have excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and organizational skills, all of which can help them rise through the ranks and see their aspirations brought to fruition.
The duties of a public administrator tend to vary based on the organization they are working for. For example, one public administrator may work to develop laws and policies at the state level, while another may manage a city department working on specific issues impacting the community at the local level.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the employment of public administrators is expected to grow by 6% by 2029, greater than the national average for all occupations. Well over 20,000 public administrator positions will need to be filled throughout this period, including many in the following areas:
Public administrators play a variety of roles in local, state, and federal government, developing, researching, enforcing, and managing policies to improve communities. Positions in governmental management include:
Nonprofit management will be of particular interest to public administrators hoping to tackle a specific issue in their community, such as a humanitarian crisis. Positions in nonprofit management include:
Postsecondary education administrators can create lasting change at colleges and universities. Alternatively, public administrators in education can pursue careers at government entities, where they will be able to advocate for causes deemed most beneficial for students, faculty, and staff.
Positions in educational management include:
Public administrators in local and state hospitals work closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers to improve the quality of healthcare delivered to patients. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for medical and health services managers is projected to grow 29% between 2023 and 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. That growth translates to approximately 61,400 new job openings each year.
Positions in healthcare administration include:
If you’re considering a Master of Public Administration (MPA), you likely have questions about what the degree can do for your career and how it fits into the public service landscape. Below, we answer a few common questions to help guide your decision.
Devotion is a quality shared by many public administrators. For the aspiring public administrator with a desire to serve their community, we offer a convenient, affordable online MPA program.
The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online MPA program provides the tools needed to become an effective leader and changemaker for your community. You’ll discover practical, competent, ethical, and legal ways to address organizational issues and policy questions with the goal of upholding public interest.
Designed with working professionals in mind, our program is delivered entirely online and can be completed at your convenience. Our course offerings place control of your education in your hands, allowing you to tailor your degree to your interests with electives such as:
Public administration is a rewarding career unlike any other, where a single administrative decision can mean profound and positive changes for a community. Whether championing a cause or driven by a general desire to make a difference, you can make a genuine impact in your community by earning an MPA and pursuing a career in public administration.
Apply to our online MPA program and discover how to enact positive change in your personal and professional life as well as the world around you.
Sources:
https://www.academia.edu/40428458/Introducing_Public_Administration
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm#tab-1
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm#tab-6
https://thebestschools.org/degrees/public-administration-degree
https://www.britannica.com/topic/public-administration
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