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What Can You Do With an Online Master’s Degree in Public Administration?

Hours Categories Business Administration and Management

People who earn an online Master of Public Administration degree typically do so because they want a career dedicated not to increasing profits, but to helping people. Fortunately, earning an MPA opens the door to many different pathways for achieving that goal.

An MPA program focuses on producing graduates who understand how public service leaders manage staff, resources, and projects at government and nonprofit agencies. They are ready for a wide variety of careers in public administration.

A degree in public administration attracts people from diverse walks of life and educational backgrounds. People enter an online Master of Public Administration program after earning bachelor’s degrees in many different fields, including political science, liberal arts, management, economics, psychology, and sociology. 

What Do Public Administrators Do?

Public administrators play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of government and nonprofit organizations. They develop and implement policies, manage budgets, oversee public programs, and ensure that services are delivered efficiently to communities. Their work often involves strategic planning, problem-solving, and working with diverse stakeholders to meet public needs. 

Public administrators may lead departments such as health, housing, education, or emergency services, and they are often responsible for managing teams, evaluating program effectiveness, and making decisions that align with public interests.

Public administrators bridge the gap between policy and practice, translating laws and regulations into real-world impact. They help create positive change by making sure institutions are accountable, effective, and responsive to the people they serve. Their leadership and management skills are essential to the success of public sector operations.

Career Paths With a Master of Public Administration

An online Master of Public Administration program emphasizes ethics, leadership, policy implementation, and program management. Those skills are transferable to various administrative positions in government, nonprofits, healthcare, and urban planning. But in every case, an MPA job focuses on bettering the lives of people.

Examples of potential jobs graduates from a master’s program in public administration qualify for include the following. All salary and job projections come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 

Political scientists study how political systems impact citizens and may work in jobs where they make recommendations on public policy. The median annual wage for political scientists reached $139,380 in May 2024. The number of jobs in the field is expected to grow 3% by 2033.

Urban planners work on land use and public programs that help to develop better communities. The average annual salary for urban and regional planners reached $83,720 in May 2024. The number of jobs in the field is expected to grow 4% by 2033.

Social and community services managers oversee government and nonprofit agencies that focus on improving the lives of individuals and communities in disadvantaged areas. The average annual salary for social and community services managers was $78,240 as of May 2024. The number of jobs in the field is expected to grow 8% by 2033.

Nonprofit administrators focus on successfully managing a nonprofit organization, including fundraising. The average annual salary for nonprofit fundraising managers and public relations specialists reached $132,870 in May 2024. The number of jobs in the field is expected to increase by 7% by 2033. 

Touro University Worldwide’s Online Master of Public Administration Program

Touro University Worldwide’s online Master of Public Administration program is designed for professionals seeking to advance their careers in government or nonprofit organizations. Whether you’re already working in public service or looking to make a meaningful career shift, this fully online program provides the practical skills and knowledge needed to lead and manage in today’s complex public sector environments.

The curriculum focuses on essential areas of public administration, including human capital management, financial oversight, and the intersection of law and public policy. Core topics include:

  • Public policy analysis
  • Organizational behavior
  • Public budgeting
  • Human resources management
  • Performance assessment
  • Ethics
  • Public administration in a multicultural society

Designed for working professionals, TUW’s program offers flexibility, affordability, and an accelerated path to graduation. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as one year.

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