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Individuals with master’s degrees in public administration can pursue fulfilling and lucrative careers in the Master of Public Administration (MPA). Students can choose concentrations that align with their professional goals. MPA graduates go on to make a meaningful impact on other people and their communities.
A degree in public administration is worthwhile for individuals seeking rewarding MPA jobs in the public and private sectors. Applicants can explore MPA careers in a variety of settings, including nonprofits, government agencies, health care, and private businesses.
Why get an MPA?
Students enroll in Master of Public Administration programs to pursue MPA careers after graduation. These degrees typically include 35 to 45 credits and explore coursework in areas such as statistics for public policy, public economics, public finance, and leadership.
Learners can tailor their degrees by choosing concentrations in areas such as community and economic development, nonprofit administration, health policy, and ethical leadership. Degree times are usually in the range of one to two years.
Admission requirements are generally consistent with other graduate degrees: Applicants must submit undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Some schools may require graduate test scores for admission. After completing their degree, the graduate can use their newly developed skills to pursue fulfilling MPA jobs.
Popular MPA jobs
What is public administration? This field deals with issues such as housing, environment and poverty. MPA graduates often work for government organizations and non-profit organizations to support and implement policies in areas of public administration.
Masters of Public Administration degrees can develop a variety of skills, allowing graduates to apply their abilities to a variety of MPA careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for some occupations, such as medical and health service managers, to grow at a rate that more than quadruples the projected figure for all occupations nationwide. The following list is not exhaustive, but offers a broad overview of well-paying and rewarding MPA jobs.
Budget Analyst
Average annual salary: $79,940
Expected job growth (2021-2031): +3%
Description of the work: These professionals help government agencies and private companies understand short-term and long-term financial expectations. They create budgets to stay on track, meet goals, monitor costs, and suggest improvements. Budget analysts look at any differences between expenditures and revenues against their plans to resolve discrepancies or make suggestions for future budgets.
Health administrator
Average annual salary: $101,340
Expected job growth (2021-2031): +28%
Description of the work: These administrators manage the day-to-day operations for healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient care centers. They manage company finances, oversee invoicing processes, monitor expenses and improve efficiency as needed. Health administrators also monitor regulatory compliance to ensure that their organizations meet the necessary laws and legal requirements.
Human resources manager
Average annual salary: $126,230
Expected job growth (2021-2031): +7%
Description of the work: Human resource managers handle many personnel-related tasks for small and large organizations such as the relationship between management and employees. These professionals oversee the hiring process, including recruiting and interviewing candidates for open positions. HR managers deal with disputes between employees and make disciplinary decisions if necessary. Public and private organizations require these professionals to make hiring decisions and maintain morale.
Management Analyst
Average annual salary: 93,000 dollars
Expected job growth (2021-2031): +11%
Description of the work: These consultants help organizations improve their profitability and efficiency by interviewing staff, monitoring operations, and analyzing company financial data. After completing their research, they report their findings to management and offer suggestions for areas for improvement. Management analysts typically work as contractors who help companies on a temporary basis, rather than as permanent employees.
Medical and Health Services Manager
Average annual salary: $101,340
Expected job growth (2021-2031): +28%
Description of the work: These managers coordinate services by overseeing departments within health care facilities or entire medical organizations. They can manage budgets, manage employee schedules, oversee billing efforts, and maintain regulatory and legal compliance. Medical and health services managers collaborate with physicians and other medical professionals within facilities to ensure smooth operations throughout the company.
Political analyst
Average annual salary: $122,510
Expected job growth (2021-2031): +6%
Description of the work: Political analysts study political systems to identify trends in laws, political parties, and foreign relations. These professionals forecast changes in politics, economics and society along with analysis of how current laws have affected communities. They collect data through interviews and surveys to analyze changes in public opinion and develop theories based on their findings.
Project Manager
Average annual salary: $94,500
Expected job growth (2021-2031): +7%
Description of the work: These professionals oversee every element of the project, including budgets, progress, staffing, and schedules, to ensure results meet their goals. Before a project begins, they plan and make proposals to other stakeholders. Once the project starts, they control the costs to implement the budget plans and direct the employees to the execution of the tasks. Project managers analyze financial data and results to evaluate the effectiveness of the project after its completion.
Social or Community Services Manager
Average annual salary: 74,000 dollars
Expected job growth (2021-2031): +12%
Description of the work: Social or community service managers create, oversee, and implement programs that improve communities and the general public. They collaborate and supervise other employees to deliver social programs with public and private organizations that may focus on specific populations. These professionals also study social programs to determine their effectiveness and make suggestions for improvements.
Training and Development Manager
Average annual salary: $61,570
Expected job growth (2021-2031): +8%
Description of the work: These professionals administer employee training programs in public and private organizations. Along with delivering the training programs, they conduct research through review, interviews and collaboration with other members of management to identify areas for improvement. Learning and development managers also coordinate administrative tasks for their programs, including managing budgets and overseeing enrollment efforts.
City or regional planner
Average annual salary: $78,500
Expected job growth (2021-2031): +4%
Description of the work: City and regional planners study population and geographic features to create well-organized locations and communities. They can help improve disadvantaged areas, plan public spaces such as parks or develop places for the homeless. These professionals collaborate with government officials and contractors to oversee small and large projects in urban, suburban and rural areas.
Continuing Education for MPA Graduates
Individuals with MPAs can continue their education beyond the master’s level with doctoral programs in public administration and public policy. MPAs can pursue these degrees to focus their work on research or simply to increase their knowledge in the field. The following section examines information on related doctoral degrees. degrees.
Ph.D. in public administration
A PhD in Public Administration dives deeper into the field than an MPA. Typically requiring about 55 to 95 credits, enrollees complete these programs with a dissertation and defense. Common coursework for a PhD in public administration may cover organizational theory, policy analysis, and public administration. Graduates of Ph.D. degree can pursue the same MPA career as master’s degree holders, although individuals may choose to work in academia and research instead.
Ph.D. in public policy
After completing the MPA, graduates may also consider a Ph.D. degrees in public policy. These doctoral programs focus on policy making and research, rather than on the public administration goal of policy implementation. As a Ph.D. in public administration, each enrollee must complete a dissertation and defense to earn their degree. Along with MPA jobs, students who complete a Ph.D. in public policy programs can work as college professors and researchers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about MPA jobs
Yes—with roles such as health administrator, urban planner, and nonprofit director, these people perform fulfilling work that can create meaningful societal change. Data from Payscale shows that professionals with MPAs earn strong salaries of around $72,000 per year.
Is an MPA or an MBA better?
The “better” degree depends on your professional and personal goals. An MBA, especially a program that focuses on public administration, may be better suited to business-minded people who aim to explore the intersection between business and politics. The MPA applies more to individuals who want to implement public policy.
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