Master's in Public Administration Career Options

Having achieved the impressive goal of completing a bachelor’s degree, many political science students often wonder what the next step might be. Some choose to proceed directly into the workforce, while others consider graduate learning options. While graduate programs in political science-related fields can vary greatly in subject matter, a master’s degree in public administration is often an excellent option for students interested in pursuing a career in local government, non-profit, or urban and regional planning. Research into a public administration degree can be tedious, so we’ve developed this page for students exploring public administration as a possible graduate-level pursuit. Continue reading to academic and career options related to the field of public administration.

Benefits of a Master’s Degree in Public Administration

One of the first steps of deciding whether a degree program is the right fit for you is to explore the benefits this program may award. Below you will find an overview of a few reasons public administration may be a good fit.

Why a Master’s in Public Administration Degree?

Earning a master’s in public administration is an excellent way for students to prepare themselves for greater professional success in their future. There isn’t one career that lines up with this academic path, but many students work in the public sector as social or community service managers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in these areas are projected to grow by 18% until the year 2026, so incoming students can feel confident in their prospects of post-graduation job placement.

Like many graduate programs, most master’s in public administration degrees are available to students from varying academic backgrounds. Some programs may be looking for students who have at least some previous experience with political science or social science-related coursework, but others are more focused on a student’s personal background, goals, and motivations. Public administration programs are typically a good fit for students who are looking to invest their lives in the wellbeing of others—who are interested in making a positive difference in their community via urban planning, emergency management, or the development of policies to bring about positive change.

What Skills Are Acquired & Needed for This Career?

Successful public administration students typically exhibit the skills, both hard and soft, that are commonly found in effective leaders. Below are a few of the qualities that may make you a good fit for a master’s in public administration.

Hard Skills

Stats classes are commonly found within masters of public administration curricula, and students can be sure that their careers will deal somewhat heavily with understanding trends in behavior, whether in terms of finance, company effectiveness, or population.

When dealing with any kind of local government or policy-related career, it is likely that economic trends will play a role in your ability to achieve your goals, as this will dictate whether funds will be available to achieve certain goals.

After completing a master’s degree in public administration, many graduates will go on to achieve job placement with some managerial requirements. Being a strong leader will be crucial to establishing a successful career.

Knowing when and how to properly allocate company resources is one of the key qualities to becoming an effective employee in the public or government sectors.

Soft Skills

The goal many public administration students set out to achieve is to become a leader, and nothing entices a greater sense of loyalty than structure. Keeping track of projects, meetings, short-term and long-term company goals, all stem from the leadership and management classes students work through during their master’s degree. An organized student becomes an organized leader.

Know what needs your focus and when it needs it. As with managing resources, managing time is a key quality found with effective public administrators. Keep your finger on the pulse of not only your own timeframe, but also that of your team—leaders understand when to cut slack, but also when to reel employees in and make adjustments where necessary.

With effective communication comes effective listening. Be open to hearing feedback from your classmates or your team, and in turn be concise with the feedback you provide them. Problem-solving is best achieved when both parties are fully invested in understanding one another’s sides.

Don’t be afraid to take risks and get creative. Some problems are less common than others and may need you to think outside of the box to resolve. Fortune favors the bold, so explore any available options, no matter how unique.

How This Degree Helps in the Job Market

Graduates from a master’s program in public administration may be interested in ways to further market themselves as an employee. Below are a few tips for ways students can give themselves a better chance of getting hired.

Prep for Certifications/Licenses: A variety of certification and licensure programs--such as the certification in Urban Design through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)--exist to help professionals working in the public administration field advance their careers. With a master’s in public administration, graduates will be well prepared to further specialize their areas of work and potentially receive bumps in salary.
Specialized Learning: One of the greatest benefits of working through a graduate-level academic program is that it allows a student to begin narrowing their field of specialization. In addition to some more broadly-focused coursework, public administration students often also have the opportunity to pick from emphases like public management, transportation policy, international development, cultural leadership, and regional planning.
Wider Range of Job Opportunities: A bachelor’s degree can go a long way in opening doors to job placement, but the higher credential a student holds, the greater professional responsibility is likely to be bestowed upon the applicant. Many government and management related fields rely heavily on professionals who hold either a master’s or a terminal doctorate degree-- continuing education is an excellent way to compete with these other applicants.
Step Towards Terminal Degree: Some students may have their sights set a bit further out than a master’s degree, and would prefer becoming a doctor in their field of study. A master’s in public administration will be a necessary stepping stone for students looking to achieve this goal, as it will allow them to begin narrowing their academic emphasis, ultimately resulting in one very particular area of research to be developed for their dissertation.

Master of Public Administration Career Paths & Salary Potential

Like many graduate programs, a master’s degree in public administration does not prep students for just one area of work. Rather, students will develop skills that are applicable to a wide variety of administrative fields, in addition to working through a limited number of emphasis courses that may guide career choice. Let’s review 10 potential areas of work for public administration graduates, including details on job description and salary.

Postsecondary Education Administrator

Achieving an administrative position at a higher education institution can be an incredibly rewarding career path, both personally and financially. Working in higher education can branch into a wide variety of offices and departments, and higher level administrative positions typically require employees to begin working in an entry-level position and working their way up; it’s rare for employees to receive managerial job placement without any experience working in a college setting. While higher level, management-focused positions may be more of a long-term goal, the benefit of pursuing a career in higher education lies in the transferability of skills drawn from these jobs; an employee who begins their career in a school’s Admissions and Records Office, for instance, may ultimately find themselves as a department chair, or even vice president of a school. Careers in higher education can vary from entry-level salaries of around $50,000 to $200,000+ for higher administrative roles.

Where They Work: Primarily, jobs in these areas are based directly out of an academic institution’s campus locations. Higher education jobs can exist at either the community college or the university level.
Potential Job Titles: College Dean, College President, Financial Aid Director, Academic Advising Director, Transfer Coordinator
Median Salary: $44.41 hourly, $92,360 annual

General and Operations Managers (City Manager)

City management careers can come in a variety of forms, most of which revolve around maintaining the efficient operation of a local government, as directed by a city’s council members and mayor. A city manager’s job responsibilities may be in response to changes in local policy, such as those relating to tax collection; in these circumstances, the manager will present alternative courses of action to his or her superiors--the elected city officials--to maintain an acceptably productive local government. Other job responsibilities may include overseeing smaller local departments, such as emergency and sanitation services, or even helping to develop a local budget. A city’s size plays a large role in the number of responsibilities required of a city manager. Larger cities tend to see city managers delegating workloads to assistant city managers, who may be appointed to a specific local department, such as cultural affairs or taxation.

Where They Work: Employees working in a city management position are often employed in local government offices.
Potential Job Titles: City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Administrative Assistant, Operations Director, General Manager (GM)
Median Salary: $48.27 hourly, $100,410 annual

Urban and Regional Planners

Regional or city planners are charged with the task of monitoring and orchestrating the use of the land available to a city. Because many parties hold some stake in how local land is distributed and utilized, regional planners often correspond closely with government officials and special interests groups to finalize community plans, ensuring fair and proper use. Regional planning positions often rely heavily on the use of technology, including map creation software and computer-aided design (CAD) software, to develop clearly relatable plans for development: skills that are less likely to be learned through a master’s degree curriculum and more through on-the-job entry-level experience. City planners will also be expected to understand the environmental impact of land alterations in a community, and will often help to communicate these issues to the public, particularly in terms of transportation and soil and water conservation.

Where They Work: Urban and Regional planning is most often an office job. Employees can anticipate working in some kind of government building or office complex.
Potential Job Titles: City Planner, Regional Planner, Community Development Director, Housing Development Specialist, Urban Design Consultant
Median Salary: $34.37 hourly, $71,490 annual

Public Sector Executive

Executive positions are perfect for individuals who are interested in upper-level management and leadership. While executive positions are found more often in the private sector than the public sector, an increasing number of government bodies are searching for qualified individuals to spearhead public operations. Executives are typically found close to the top of a company or organization’s employment chain, often reporting directly to a board of directors to formulate and direct operational measures. Among other responsibilities, public sector executives will be in charge of evaluating their department’s performance, coordinating budget, and appointing department managers and orchestrating their duties. Executives are expected to be fairly tech-savvy, often utilizing accounting and project management software to track department or company processes.

Where They Work: Work environment depends on which department or section of the public sector an employee is under, but upper-level executives can most often be expected to work in an office setting.
Potential Job Titles: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Executive Vice President (EVP), President
Median Salary: $88.11 hourly, $183,270 annual

Treasurers & Controllers

Treasurers often occupy similar roles to executives but deal more specifically with an organization’s financial needs. At its highest level, a career in this area will deal largely with the direction of a company’s financial dealings, particularly in terms of budgeting, supervision of lower-level employees who handle financial interactions, investments, and development and maintenance of an organization’s internal financial policies. Employees working in the public sector will be expected to have a firm grasp on regional policy, legal codes, government regulations, and political processes as they relate to finance. As this job relies heavily on mathematics, accounting, and economics, students interested in entering this career field would likely want to pursue a master’s of public administration that offers an emphasis in financial management. Additionally, employers will often list specific software experience on applications, such as Minitab analytic software, Oracle PeopleSoft resource planning software, and Oracle Solaris operating system software.

Where They Work: Treasurers and controllers typically work in an office environment, but this locale could range from full office complexes to school campuses.
Potential Job Titles: Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Director of Finance, Treasurer, Chief School Finance Officer, Finance Vice President
Median Salary: $60.14 hourly, $125,080 annual

Lobbyist

Lobbyists act primarily as influencers of who work to persuade certain regulatory bodies to make decisions in favor of a specific organization or cause. In terms of the public sector, lobbyists deal largely with legislators, but may also play a role in public relations and the maintenance of public image. A lobbyist may be put in charge of developing media communication releases, planning for continued public relation strategies or fielding information and interview requests from certain interest groups. The field of lobbying and public relations draws heavily on creativity; successful employees in these positions often develop innovative solutions to problems regarding the image, balancing what is best for company success with what will maintain a favorable company image.

Where They Work: Lobbyists and PR specialists often act as a face for a company or cause, so they can usually be found working outside of an office, attending events and meeting up with potential supporters. When settled in a specific environment, it is often some form of office space.
Potential Job Titles: Media Relations Specialist, Public Relations Coordinator, Corporate Communications Specialist, Public Information Officer
Median Salary: $28.51 hourly, $59,300 annual

Public Affairs Director

Any organization, whether public or private, requires some branch of employees to handle how the company is seen by the public. Public affairs directors organize and implement events and activities--such as fundraisers--to maintain a favorable local view while also amassing resources to fund city projects. Having a keen understanding of proper communication and marketing skills plays a large role in being successful in this field, as job duties will include developing press releases, overseeing the production of promotional materials such as fliers and pamphlets, and integrating the company into public view via event sponsorship or local advertising. Students who may be interested in this branch of public administration may be coming from an undergraduate background such as journalism, communications, or marketing, fields that can be honed at the graduate level through specialized public affairs emphases.

Where They Work: The majority of professionals working in this field will be in an indoor, office environment, perhaps taking their work to the public to be present for local events.
Potential Job Titles: Public Relations Director, Public Relations Manager, Communications Manager, Annual Giving Director, Community Relations Director
Median Salary: $53.50 hourly, $111,280 annual

Community Services Manager

Beginning a career in social services is a perfect opportunity for public administration graduates who are eager to work with at-risk populations. Social services encompass a variety of employment fields, including social work, counseling, and vocational rehabilitation. With a master’s in public administration, employees will have the academic credentials necessary to achieve managerial or director positions within these areas of work, where they will focus largely on the organization of professional staff and volunteers. These leadership positions will also play a role in the development of social service policy as it pertains to issues of eligibility and support resource allocation. Students interested in this field often come from a humanities-related undergraduate program, such as psychology, social work, or human development and family studies: fields where they are able to develop the empathy required in a successful social services representative.

Where They Work: Employment environments in this field can vary just as much as specializations. Management and directorial positions are often office-based jobs, but employees may also find themselves working out of clinics, schools, private practices, or welfare houses.
Potential Job Titles: Child Welfare Services Director, Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor, Vocational Rehabilitation Administrator, Community Services Director
Median Salary: $30.82 hourly, $64,100 annual

10 Ways to Prepare for Your Public Administration Master’s Degree

Many students are eager to begin prepping for their careers while still working through their undergraduate or master’s program. Below are a few ways that active students can go about cutting their teeth in the field of public administration.

Attend job connection fairs: Schools often bring in employers from local companies and organizations to meet with students in particular areas of study. Be aware of any events in which public administration professionals may be present.
Volunteer: Because it is unpaid, volunteering shows a student’s dedication to their specific field of work and study and makes an excellent impression on potential employers.
Join an on-campus club or organization: University clubs and organizations cover a wide range of interests, from Greek life to sports to campus government. Research what organizations might hold similar values or deal with a similar subject matter as the content of a public administration program.
Attend local events: Colleges and departments are usually pretty good about getting the word out regarding campus events. Hear about an upcoming reading, seminar, or panel? Attend and you might just start making some connections.
Submit to journals: Being a published author can work wonders in the application process, but even if you submit an article that isn’t accepted, employers will likely still be impressed by the work you put into your writing.
Conduct research: Many grad programs build research opportunities into its curriculum. The added benefit is that students can often request to work with specific professors that may share similar research interests.
Grad certifications: Many graduate certificates do not require a student to have completed a master’s degree first. If you’re willing to pay for the credits, holding a certificate on top of a master’s degree can look great on a resume.
Consider a cooperative education program: Although this varies from program to program, some schools allow students to work through cooperative education opportunities, where credits alternate between in-class learning and paid work experience.
Internships: Similar to cooperative education, internships are a great way for students to get some hands-on experience in their field of work. If you’re lucky, you might get paid, too.
Study abroad: Many administrative roles may deal with some level of international travel for training or correspondence. Having a background in how other countries handle administrative professional coursework never hurts.

Expert Q&A

Advice From a Public Policy Graduate

Sasha Ramani recently completed his master's degree in Public Policy (MPP) at the Harvard Kennedy School, with a concentration in Business and Government. Originally from Canada, Sasha honed his strategy and investment management skills in New York City with Deloitte Consulting and Mars and Co, where he advised investment firms on innovation, business growth strategy, and organizational design. At Harvard, Sasha’s interests included financial technology (FinTech) and the mobilization of financial capital for social impact. He also published a paper with Dr. Christopher Smart, a former Obama Administration senior policymaker, on how technology can help to mobilize capital in emerging markets, and worked part-time with the Harvard Kennedy School Admissions Office. Today he is the Manager of Corporate Strategy and Interim Canada Country Manager for MPOWER Financing, a mission-driven fintech firm in Washington, DC that helps international students finance an education in the United States and Canada. Check out what Sasha has to say about the world of Public Administration and Policy.

How is public policy similar to public administration?

For most purposes, you can think of these as interchangeable. But in a nutshell, MPP degrees emphasize technical and academic skills versus the leadership / "soft skills" that MPAs emphasize. MPP graduates are more likely to work in government as policy analysts/etc, while MPA grads are more likely to run for more public-facing roles or in the private sector.

What kind of extracurricular opportunities -- such as internships or participating in certain on-campus organizations -- might benefit undergrads interested in working towards a masters in public admin?

I’d generally suggest having a coherent story about what kind of public service you hope to achieve, and how your MPA experience will help you get there. MPA/MPP schools are for idealists who strive to "make the world a better place" - although many people achieve this through private sector work as well! I am generally to believe that a narrative about how you tie together your past, goals during your Masters, and future post-MPA plans (to whatever extent possible) is what makes your application attractive to admissions officers.

For example, try to volunteer with a Congressman or to work on a campaign. Prove your quantitative and research skills by, say, writing a report suggesting a policy proposal or criticizing one. But fundamentally, show that you care about some of the big issues facing society, and why you care about them.

Public Admin/Policy programs often break down into specialization tracks. How can students go about selecting the track that will best fit their interests and long-term goals?

Choosing a specialization is like Sophie’s Choice, because everything is appealing: especially for someone with a general orientation towards public service or social justice. Luckily, you generally have a year to explore your different interests before having to commit to a track. And in a large school like Harvard Kennedy School where students are between 20 and 60 years of age, you’ll likely find someone who you can ask about their experience to help make your decision.

One useful framework taught at Harvard Business School is an 80/20% model: You want to spend 80% of your time cultivating your future career path and developing skills that you "know" will make you successful in the workplace. But spend the remaining 20% of your time exploring and developing new interests that you didn’t know that you had. There are so many opportunities for this: talks, workshops, clubs, speaking to your classmates, etc.

Many MPA students go on to begin careers in either government or city services, but what about students that aren’t interested in either of these broad areas of work? What other less traditional lines of work might they be able to pursue?

Policy schools are for idealists who strive to “make the world a better place”, while still keeping the private sector very much in-play for future career opportunities. About 40% of HKS graduates go into the private sector (in which consulting is a big recruiter): I think that ~50% of HKS MPA graduates go into private-sector roles. But a very significant chunk works in the public sector / non-profit sectors doing all sorts of different things. I personally work in a private-sector fintech startup, MPOWER Financing. So I’d say that the world is your oyster after completing an MPA degree: not just “traditional” government roles.

Resource for Public Administration Students

Working in the public sector means that you will have plenty of support from other administrative professionals. Check below for some potential resources.

Alliance for Nonprofit Management: Interested in developing or working for a nonprofit organization? The Alliance for Nonprofit Management acts as a link between individuals working in these areas, allowing for greater capacity for knowledge and experience sharing.
American Society for Public Administration: The ASPA seeks to develop a network through which public administration professions can remain connected and crowdsource for solutions to issues in governance.
Economic Policy Institute: Developed just over 30 years ago, the EPI is a collaborative network of individuals striving for greater economic representation and support for low- and middle-income individuals.
Government Finance Officers Association: The GFOA has been in operation for more than 100 years and provides over 20,000 members with guidance and resources related to the field of finance management.
International City/County Management Association: Over 11,000 public administration professionals are members of the ICMA, serving as a think tank to foster the local government practices that have been proven to bolster regional development.
Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory: Looking to get your research published for a wider audience? The Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory is a thriving community through which new ideas related to government function and policy can be disseminated.
National Academy of Public Administration: For just over 50 years, the National Academy of Public Administration has been a key advising body for federal agencies, while also providing fellowships to professionals working in the field.
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration: NASPAA provides training to promote interest in the government employment arena. Membership is available to individuals working through their graduate programs in public administration or policy.
National League of Cities: The NLC is an excellent resource for individuals interested in local government. The League partners with cities in 49 states, providing resources and support to help effect local development.
Public Administration Theory Network: PA Theory Network is a platform developed to foster greater connectivity between professionals working in administration and government fields. The Network holds annual conferences, allowing individuals to share their research in a multi-national venue.