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

A Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is a professional graduate degree that may be well-suited to individuals who plan to pursue high-level positions in government agencies or other organizations. Are you curious about earning an MPA, but wonder, What can you do with a master’s in public administration? There are many different jobs for MPA graduates to consider.

Each of these career paths has its own merits. In fact, you’re likely to discover that there are many answers to the question, What can I do with an MPA? which can be challenging to narrow down the options. If you’re having trouble narrowing down your choices, you may wish to pursue job shadowing opportunities.

In This Article:

• What Can You Do With an MPA Degree and How Does It Prepare You?
• What Can I Do With an MPA?
• What To Look for in a Master’s in Public Administration Program
• MPA Degree Benefits: What To Expect From a Typical MPA Program
• Pursue Your MPA Degree From GCU

What Can You Do With an MPA Degree and How Does It Prepare You?

An MPA degree can benefit individuals who aspire to pursue leadership roles in various types of organizations. Indeed, an MPA can prepare you to make positive contributions to organizations as diverse as government agencies, nonprofits, private corporations and healthcare organizations.¹ 

The MPA degree program teaches a variety of competencies, including:

• Public governance issues, including transparency, regulatory issues and accountability
• Strategic management of human capital
• Collaborative strategies for executing the daily duties of administration in public and nonprofit entities
• Leadership qualities and best practices
• Budgeting and fiscal management
• Strategic planning and program evaluation

What Can I Do With an MPA? 

So, what can you do with an MPA degree? Consider your preferences and strengths when exploring potential jobs for MPA graduates. For example, if you excel at interpersonal relations and communicating, then the job of a city manager or public relations manager could be a good fit for you. Regardless of your own individual characteristics and skills, there is a wide range of job possibilities for MPA graduates; versatility is one major MPA degree benefit.²

City Manager or City Administrator

The job of city manager is one possible answer to the question, What can you do with an MPA?³ A city manager, also known as a city administrator, is hired by the city council — a group of elected officials responsible for managing the town. Note that the job of city manager is not an elected position. City managers are charged with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the municipal government. In essence, if the city was a company, then the city manager would be the chief executive officer (CEO). 

Some of the primary tasks of a city manager include:

• Developing and proposing the city’s annual budget to the city council and/or mayor
• Amending the city budget as required
• Appointing competent department heads and directors to the city’s various agencies
• Implementing legislation and initiatives approved by the city council
• Ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws

It is often necessary for these professionals to interact directly with the public, discussing the city’s policies, procedures and proposed city activities. As of May 2023, top executives like city managers had an annual median salary of $103,840, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).⁴

Public Relations Manager

Among the many possible jobs for MPA graduates is a career in public relations, for example, a PR manager. PR managers work across all sectors, including governmental agencies and private corporations.⁵ This role may also be referred to as a communications manager, public affairs manager or public information manager.

The primary responsibility of a PR manager is to improve or maintain the positive public image of their organization or client. To that end, they may do any or all of the following tasks:

• Identify the main audiences for the client/organization and determine an effective way to communicate with them
• Develop and distribute press releases, schedule interviews and press conferences, speak with members of the media and assist clients or other employees in preparing for media interviews
• Ensure that an organization’s advertising campaigns or fundraising programs are aligned with the main mission and voice of the organization
• Hire, train and supervise PR support staff

The BLS estimates job growth for public relations and fundraising managers to increase by about 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 6,000 jobs in the field.⁶ As of May 2023, PR and fundraising managers had a median annual salary of $130,480, according to the BLS.⁷

Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers are high-level professionals who plan and direct their organization’s administrative activities. Every type of organization needs skilled HR managers, from governmental agencies to government contractors to nonprofits to private companies.³

As of April 2024, the BLS estimates job growth for human resources managers to increase by about 5% from 2022 to 2032, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 10,000 jobs in the field.⁸ As of May 2023, these professionals made a median annual salary of $136,350, according to the BLS.⁹

There is a focus on using the HR department in support of the overall mission of the organization. This includes consulting the HR department on issues like departmental improvements that boost efficiency, strategic planning, and employee development, training and retention. 

Some of the specific tasks that an HR manager might perform on a daily basis include the following:

• Acting as a liaison between the employees and high-level management
• Planning and implementing the company’s benefits programs for the employees
• Recruiting, interviewing, hiring and training employees
• Supervising the work of support staff in the HR department
• Consulting with other employees and management on employment issues, such as dispute mediation, discrimination prevention and disciplinary procedures

It is possible to become a human resources specialist with just a bachelor’s degree in human resources. However, to pursue a higher-level position, such as a supervisory position of a human resources manager, professionals should possibly plan on earning a master’s degree, such as an MPA, if the employer requires it. In addition, you should expect to need a few years of relevant work experience in HR before climbing the ladder to this high-level position.¹⁰ 

Social and Community Service Manager

Another possibility is the role of social and community service manager. These professionals coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being, and they direct workers who provide these services to the public.

The BLS estimates job growth for social and community service managers to increase by about 9% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 16,200 jobs in the field.¹¹ As of May 2023, these professionals had a median annual salary of $77,030, according to the BLS.¹²

Social and community service managers must prioritize maintaining or improving the quality of programs and services, while also supporting the fiscal stability of the organization. Other common tasks include:

• Oversee administrative aspects of programs to meet the objectives of the stakeholders
• Work with community members and other stakeholders to identify necessary programs and services
• Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of programs
• Suggest and implement improvements to programs and services
• Plan and manage outreach activities for increased awareness of programs
• Write proposals for social services funding 

Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Administrator

An MPA degree benefits those who are considering a career that focuses on making the world a better place. As an alternative to considering a career in government, MPA graduates may consider pursuing employment at a nongovernmental organization (NGO).⁵

Like other nonprofits, NGOs carry out humanitarian work. However, they operate in countries other than the U.S. (although they may be based in the U.S.). In addition, an NGO generally focuses on “big picture” issues such as famine relief or refugee assistance, whereas nonprofits may sometimes work on a smaller, community-wide scale.

The role of an NGO administrator can be a rewarding one, as these professionals can make it their life’s work to improve the welfare and quality of life of those less fortunate. In general, these professionals are responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs designed to carry out the mission of the NGO. The specific tasks of an NGO administrator or manager can vary, depending on the organization. 

However, they typically include the following:

• Managing and motivating employees and volunteers
• Allocating resources in support of the NGO’s mission
• Developing humanitarian programs that use the NGO’s resources efficiently
• Building relationships with other organizations and with the broader community/country
• Developing and implementing fundraising strategies
• Serving as the public face of the organization

As a similar alternative to pursuing a career as an NGO administrator, you might consider looking for work as a nonprofit administrator.⁴

What To Look for in a Master’s in Public Administration Program

Now that you have a general idea of the answer to, What can you do with a master’s in public administration? you might be wondering what to look for in an MPA program. A comprehensive MPA degree should include an in-depth look at topics such as servant leadership, public governance, ethical decision-making, strategic planning and organizational administration. 

It’s advisable to look for a degree program from an institutionally accredited university, so you can trust the quality of education and the reputation of the program. Another aspect to consider is whether you want to earn an MPA with a specialization.

You could earn a general Master of Public Administration degree, or you could earn a master’s degree that includes an emphasis in a particular area. For instance, an MPA student might focus on healthcare administration or government administration and governmental policies. The former is designed to prepare you as a healthcare administrator (particularly in public health programs), while the latter is intended to facilitate a career as a government, nonprofit or NGO administrator.

MPA Degree Benefits: What To Expect From a Typical MPA Program

Once you have thoroughly considered the question, What can I do with an MPA? and you have decided it is the right graduate degree for you, you will need to prepare for your studies. MPA programs are often offered online, which enables you to continue to work while furthering your education. All master’s degrees and particularly online degrees require a solid commitment and smart time management.

You will need to set aside time each week to complete your coursework and study topics such as the following:

• The management of resources, regulatory compliance and transparency in governmental and public organizations
• Collaborative strategies and relationship-building for public and nonprofit administrators
• The strategic management of human capital with an eye toward workforce diversity, employee development and succession planning
• The ethical use of political power
• Fundamentals of economics, with a look at market failure, social equity and income distribution

Your MPA degree program may or may not require the completion of a master’s thesis, depending on school and departmental policies. Note that unlike a doctoral dissertation, a master’s thesis does not require students to conduct their own original research.

Pursue Your MPA Degree From GCU

You can prepare to pursue a rewarding career when you earn a master’s degree in public administration at Grand Canyon University. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers several MPA degree choices, including the Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis in Health Care Management degree program. Fill out the form on this page to learn more about becoming a graduate student at GCU.