What Can You Do With a Public Administration Master’s Degree?
Learn what you can do with a master's in public administration and discover MPA careers and salaries.
The public sector is on the cusp of significant transformation. The “Baby Boomer” generation, born between 1946 and 1964, is rapidly approaching retirement age, and this demographic shift will create a surge of opportunities, with an estimated 4 million boomers leaving the workforce each year. As boomers hold a significant portion of public sector jobs and fill many leadership positions, the need for qualified professionals to fill these vacancies is critical upon their retirement. Now more than ever professionals need to prepare themselves to fill those roles and step into leadership positions. A public administration master’s degree is an increasingly popular option that allows you to grow your professional knowledge to excel in your career or make a career change.
What is a Master of Public Administration?
A Master of Public Administration (MPA) equips you with the knowledge and skills to excel in public service careers. The program is designed for recent college graduates or early-career professionals to provide a strong foundation in public policy, economics, management, and data analysis, preparing you for a wide range of positions. Occupations for this degree are broad and encompass many disciplines, from administration, management, and budget analyst roles across government and non-profit industries. Within this program you can earn your MPA full time in as little as two years, or three years part-time as a working professional to grow skills and lead change within your current organization. During your second year, you can tailor your coursework through skill courses, electives, and a capstone.
“The online modality of the MPA will allow students flexibility in both location and their schedule. Our MPA is a long-standing program with full accreditation and a high ranking both by U.S. News and World Report and Shanghai Rankings, and our online students will have access to the same high-quality instruction and faculty members. As a Glenn College alum, you will also have access to the large alumni network around the country, which will help you with new career and professional opportunities.” says Lindsey Lee, the graduate program manager at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.
What is a Master of Public Administration and Leadership?
A Master of Public Administration and Leadership (MPAL) is essentially an executive MPA degree, created specifically for mid-career professionals who have least 3 years of administrative or analytical post-baccalaureate experience, who are seeking the skillsets needed to assume leadership roles.
“Because students are coming in with work experience, the expectation is that they are able to use that experience and go deeper in the course assignments,” said Mindy Niehaus, the MPAL Program Manager.
The MPAL program courses are 100% online and designed to be completed asynchronously, allowing you to continue full-time employment while participating in the program. You are expected to meet synchronously on Zoom only a handful of times, giving you the flexibility to schedule coursework around your current job.
This public administration master’s degree can be completed in five semesters, with the ability to take more time to complete the program if needed. The integrated curriculum targets the needs of working professionals in both the public and nonprofit sectors.
Additionally, you can specialize in an area that aligns with your career goals with instruction from Glenn College faculty and practitioner instructors. Specializations include:
- Public Management
- Public Policy
- Criminal Justice Administration and Policy
- Nonprofit Management
Students of the MPAL program come from diverse personal and professional backgrounds, allowing you to learn from one another. Current students have occupations ranging from HR Consultant, Outreach Coordinator, Firefighter, Attorney and Research Assistant.
“You are able to look at a problem or issue and see it from multiple perspectives,” said Niehaus. “As opposed to a traditional class where you just learn from the instructor, students are encouraged to bring their experience to class and learn from one another.”
How does a master’s degree prepare you for public administration jobs?
During the MPA and MPAL program, you will address real-world problems. The programs integrate a focus on ethical leadership, civic engagement, civic discourse and diversity in each course.
Ohio State faculty members intentionally designed the curriculum by talking to employers directly about what they look for in employees so that students receive applicable hands-on skills.
Our capstone course challenges students to apply their knowledge to real-world public policy or management challenges. Through in-depth analysis and problem-solving, you’ll demonstrate your ability to synthesize complex information and develop practical solutions.
What kinds of jobs can you get with a Public Administration master’s degree?
A public administration master’s degree allows you to advance in your current position or obtain the skills necessary to switch fields entirely. Essentially, an MPA is an MBA for the public sector. Public administration graduates may go on to become:
- Public Relations Managers
- Program Managers
- Operations Managers
- Chief Executives
- Regulatory Affairs Managers
- Technical Project Managers
- Directors of Social Services
- Social and Community Service Managers
In May 2023, the median annual wage for public relations managers within the government was $115,750.
In order to reach your personal and professional mission, you are consistently supported by Ohio State’s world-class faculty, academic advisors, and career specialists during your program and beyond as a buckeye alumnus.
Not sure if you are ready to start a master’s program or want to have a more competitive application for graduate school?
Ohio State offers three online graduate certificate programs which are all 100% online and earned credits are transferrable into both the MPA and MPAL program. To apply to these programs, you must have completed your bachelor’s degree:
"As a graduate student working part-time as Constituent Aide at the Ohio House of Representatives in downtown Columbus, I was able to have the flexibility of going to school and bring a very unique and valuable skillset into work each day. I was able to apply what I was learning into my work and influence others to make positive changes."
"I was most impressed by the breadth and depth of experience held by my peers in the program. Together, we learned from one another’s diverse backgrounds and created a life-long network of professionals across the county."
Related Programs
Related Programs
Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration and Leadership
Public Management Graduate Certificate
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