Public Administration

Individuals interested in becoming managers in the public sector or for non-profit groups may want to consider an education in public administration or a related degree. Public administrators are tasked with implementing federal, state and local policies for government agencies and department. Read on to learn more about this field.

Inside Public Administration

Public administrators help create, implement and manage government policies at the federal, state and local level. They are responsible for allocating their budget resources to ensure these policies are carried out. Individuals who work as public administrators must have strong organizational and leadership skills, be good communicators and have a desire to work as a public employee or elected officials. A bachelor's degree is typically required, and competition for these limited government jobs may be strong.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a bachelor's degree is typically required for most public administrator positions, although some cities may prefer to hire applicants with a master's degree (www.bls.gov). Students may major in public administration, business administration, finance, political science or in social science. Some of the courses in these programs focus on government, business management, government operations, leadership, policy-making, civil liberties and international law.

According to the BLS, the demand for political scientists is expected to grow by 19% between 2008 and 2018. Employment for individuals in state and local government positions should grow by eight percent, which is less than the average anticipated growth for all occupations between 2008 and 2018. As of July 2008, the median annual salary for local government positions ranged from $44,928 for chief elected officials to $94,992 for city managers, according to the BLS. As of May 2010, the median annual salary for political scientists was $107,420.

Learn More About Public Administration

Public administrators work at all levels of government and have a variety of educational background and experience. If you're looking for an online or a campus-based program that can help you become a public administrator, Education-Portal.com has the information and resources to help you fulfill your career goals.

Degree Options

Public administration degree programs are available at the associate's degree level to the doctorate level. The former provides entry-level training in becoming a public administrator, while the latter provides you opportunities to become a senior public official. Read on to learn more about the degree programs available.

Career Options

Careers in public administration include becoming an elected official, a city manager or department head, program administrator, analyst or a lobbyist. Below are some of the careers you may pursue.

Distance Learning Options

If you require a non-traditional education, distance learning programs in public administration are available, but may have some on-campus requirements such as internships. Degree programs as well as individual courses are available online.