What Can You Do With a Master's in Public Administration?

With a master's in public administration, you can pursue a wide range of careers.

These include roles in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare administration, urban planning, policy analysis, and corporate management.

Public administration generally refers to the coordination of people, tools, and resources at the federal, state, or local level. It centers on implementing public policies and managing public services and relations. Public administration is what keeps societies functioning by making sure that services and policies are efficiently executed.

But what can you do with a master's in public administration? Well, there are many possibilities in various sectors beyond governments, including nonprofit organizations, private enterprises, healthcare, and even international organizations.

24 In-Demand MPA Careers

In certain fields, an MPA is the most straightforward route to success. However, there are also careers where an MPA isn't necessarily the first choice, but the degree can still be incredibly valuable in enhancing management, communication, and strategic planning skills.

For those interested in these broader career options, even a certificate or minor in public administration can be useful. So, let's go through 24 in-demand careers where public administration training can be a worthwhile investment.

Urban Planner

Urban planners are the ones responsible for the development of land use plans for communities, cities, and regions. They collaborate with government officials, developers, and the public in order to create plans that ensure sustainable growth, environmental preservation, and infrastructure development. 

An MPA is an excellent fit for such a position, as it provides knowledge in public policy, land use, and community development. Courses on budgeting, public engagement, and policy analysis within a typical MPA program align with the practical demands of urban planning.

Salary: $75,033 per year

Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers supervise the administrative functions of different organizations. They deal with recruitment, employee relations, as well as compliance with labor laws. Typically, HR managers hold degrees in human resource management, business administration, or a related field. 

While an MPA is not the most direct route to this role, it does offer valuable skills in management, organizational behavior, and public policy. In scenarios where the HR role intersects with public sector policies or nonprofit organizations, an MPA can be particularly beneficial by providing a deeper understanding of government regulations and employee relations.

Another suitable option is pursuing a degree in HR or organizational behavior with a minor in Public Administration.

Salary: $77,650 per year

City Manager

City managers are responsible for managing the daily operations of a city. They implement policies set by elected officials, and work to make sure that public services run smoothly. They oversee departments like public works, human resources, and budgeting. 

An MPA is highly relevant to this role, as it provides a strong foundation in public administration, including financial management, public policy, and leadership, all of which are key areas of responsibility for a city manager.

Salary: $115,406 per year

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit managers oversee operations, fundraising, program development, and outreach efforts in nonprofit organizations. The role requires balancing limited resources while maximizing the organization's social impact. As the name suggests, they focus on charitable work rather than direct profit.

An MPA with a focus on nonprofit management would be the ideal choice for pursuing this role as it equips individuals with the skills needed to deal with the complexities of nonprofit governance, financial management, and public relations overall.

Salary: $43,530 per year

Budget Analyst

Budget analysts are tasked with evaluating budget proposals and financial plans within organizations, often focusing on the public sector. Their primary role is to allocate resources and make sure that financial practices comply with government regulations.

An MPA prepares students for this career by offering in-depth knowledge of public sector budgeting, financial management, as well as policy analysis. All these are crucial for budget analysts who work within government agencies or nonprofit organizations since they help guarantee the responsible use of public funds.

Salary: $81,698 per year

Policy Analyst

Policy analysts assess, create, and recommend public policies. They also often work with government agencies or think tanks. Their work involves gathering data, evaluating policy outcomes, and advising policymakers. 

Policy analysts, especially those working in legislative or governmental agencies, benefit greatly from a JD MPA joint degree. This combination enables them to develop and evaluate public policies while ensuring compliance with legal frameworks. The MPA adds the administrative and analytical skills needed for policy implementation as legal expertise is often required when drafting or interpreting laws and regulations.

Salary: $100,949 per year

Emergency Management Director

Emergency management directors develop strategies to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. This role requires coordination with multiple agencies and organizations to ensure community safety. 

An MPA, especially one focused on emergency management or public safety, is an excellent choice for anyone interested in pursuing this role. Such programs typically cover critical areas, including disaster response planning and inter-agency collaboration. 

Salary: $98,658 per year

Medical and Health Services Managers

Medical and health services managers work in various healthcare facilities, managing budgets and ensuring adherence to healthcare regulations. 

This role typically requires a degree in health administration or public health, but a minor or certificate in Public Administration can be helpful for those managing public health facilities. The public administration skills will improve their understanding of governmental regulations and enhance their ability to manage budgets and policies within public healthcare settings.

Salary: $95,625 per year

Manager of Corporate Communication

Corporate communication professionals handle a company's internal and external communications, including public relations, crisis management, and media relations.

Although an MPA is not directly linked to this field, it can be valuable in roles where communication intersects with public policy or government relations. It can provide skills in leadership, public relations, and regulatory compliance, making it a good fit for those looking to work in public affairs or nonprofit communications.

Salary: $120,967 per year

Social and Community Service Managers

Social and community service managers lead programs that provide services to the public, often in health, social work, or community outreach. They are responsible for coordinating community programs, managing staff, and overseeing budgets. 

MPA's are suitable for this role as they provide training in program administration, policy development, and public finance, all of which are needed for the position.

Salary: $77,966 per year

Fundraising Manager

Fundraising managers are the ones who develop strategies with the goal of raising money for organizations, typically in the nonprofit sector. They are tasked with managing donor relations, organizing fundraising events, and creating campaigns to attract financial support.

An MPA, especially one with a focus on nonprofit management, provides important skills in financial management, marketing, and public relations, all necessary for successful fundraising.

Salary: $64,137 per year

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts evaluate investment opportunities and financial data in order to help organizations make informed financial decisions. Although the ones pursuing such a role typically have a degree in finance or economics, an MPA can also be useful in certain public sector or nonprofit financial analyst roles. 

The budgeting and financial management courses in an MPA program, in particular, provide relevant skills for analyzing public finances, government budgets, or nonprofit financial strategies. However, additional certifications, such as the Chartered Certified Financial Analyst (CCFA) are usually necessary for private-sector financial analysis.

Salary: $88,111 per year

County Manager

County managers supervise the operations of county governments regarding the services provided and how policies are implemented according to the directives of county commissioners. 

This role requires knowledge of public administration, budgeting, and leadership in general, all of which are covered in an MPA program. County managers work closely with government officials, making the policy and management skills gained through an MPA essential for success in this position.

Salary: $115,293 per year

Economic Developer

Economic developers work to improve the economic well-being of communities by attracting businesses, creating jobs, as well as facilitating sustainable growth. 

An MPA is highly relevant to this career. It prepares students in economic policy, urban development, and public finance, allowing them to work effectively with both public and private entities to promote economic development.

Salary: $44,606 per year

Education Roles

In education, roles such as school administrators or program directors can benefit from an MPA. The degree is particularly useful in managing public education programs or overseeing school districts, where skills in public budgeting, policy development, and leadership are required.

However, teaching positions or school-specific roles, such as teachers or school counselors, generally require degrees in education rather than public administration.

Salary: $92,340 per year

Executive Director

Executive directors are responsible for directing the operations, strategy, and management of an organization. 

An MPA is suitable for this role because it focuses on training graduates in leadership, nonprofit governance, public policy, and financial management, among other things. This way, the degree equips individuals with the skills necessary to lead organizations and manage teams.

Salary: $89,818 per year

Political Scientist

Political scientists study the structure and functioning of political systems. This role typically requires advanced degrees in political science or related fields. 

Pursuing an MPA is generally not the traditional route for becoming a political scientist, however, it does provide many relevant skills in public policy, governance, and data analysis, which can be valuable in applied research or public policy advising roles.

Salary: $72,176 per year

Compliance Officer

Compliance officers ensure that organizations comply with laws and regulations set by relevant bodies. They are often found in highly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, or government. 

An MPA is appropriate for compliance officers working in the public sector or nonprofit organizations, where knowledge of public policy and regulatory frameworks is essential. The degree's focus on governance, law, and public administration prepares graduates for the role.

Salary: $98,949 per year

Development Coordinator

Development coordinators are professionals who manage fundraising efforts and donor relations through event planning in nonprofit or public organizations. 

MPAs especially ones with a specialization in nonprofit management, provide graduates with the skills needed for such a role regarding financial management, marketing, and public relations. The program also prepares students for fundraising and donor engagement, making it an excellent fit for those looking to advance in nonprofit development.

Salary: $52,401 per year

Environmental Police

Environmental police, often working for government agencies, enforce laws and regulations that protect the environment. Law enforcement training is typically required, along with specialized knowledge of environmental science or law. 

An MPA is not the first choice for professionals looking to pursue this role. However, it can be useful in positions where environmental policy and public administration intersect, such as in environmental regulatory agencies or policymaking roles that involve enforcement and compliance.

Salary: $74,487 per year

Park Manager

These managers supervise the operations of public parks. They aim to ensure that recreational areas are well-maintained, staffed, and accessible to the public. They manage budgets, staff, and community engagement.

An MPA with a focus on public management or environmental policy is highly relevant for this role. The degree provides skills in budgeting, leadership, and public policy, which are crucial for managing public parks and recreational areas.

Salary: $79,584 per year

Budget Director

Budget directors oversee the financial planning and allocation of resources within organizations, often in the public or nonprofit sectors. An MPA is highly relevant for this role, as it provides in-depth knowledge of budgeting, financial management, and public sector accounting. 

Graduates are well-prepared to manage large budgets, develop financial strategies, and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and in line with public policy objectives.

Salary: $122,135 per year

Criminal Justice Professional

In the field of criminal justice, an MPA is useful for administrative roles related to managing corrections programs, overseeing police departments, or working on policy reform. The MPA provides a foundation in public policy, budgeting, and leadership, which are essential for managing large organizations and public safety initiatives. 

However, for more direct law enforcement roles, such as detectives or police officers, a criminal justice degree is more appropriate.

Salary: $65,006 per year

Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants are experts who provide advice on environmental policies and regulations to ensure that development projects comply with environmental laws. 

An MPA can be valuable for those focusing on environmental policy or working in public sector consulting because it focuses on governance, policy analysis, and regulatory frameworks, which are crucial for interpreting environmental laws and regulations.

Salary: $56,151 per year

Conclusion

From government to nonprofit and private sector leadership positions, an MPA is a degree that prepares you to adapt and succeed in a wide range of careers. 

UND's Master's in Public Administration program, along with its minor and certificate options in public administration, provides a great opportunity to develop useful skills in leadership, policy analysis, resource management, and much more. 

A background in public administration gives you the ability to influence the systems that govern different aspects of society.

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