What You Should Know About This Degree
There are many different career paths open to graduates of MPA programs in areas like government, law, business, healthcare, education, and social services. Therefore, most MPA programs offer concentrations in non-profit management, criminal justice, public safety, policy analysis, healthcare administration, and more. It’s important to research the different sectors of public administration and have an idea of what you want to focus on when choosing a program.
Public administrators working in emergency management, social services, or government may find themselves on call or often required to work overtime. Consider whether you want a position with these demands when choosing an area of focus. Professional certifications also exist for certain jobs within public administration; these certifications may be optional or required by an employer.
Because most programs accept students of all educational backgrounds, hands-on learning experience is an essential part of their curricula, even in online programs. Specific internship requirements vary per program. It’s important to find out the setting of your internship, as well as how many hours you will need to dedicate to it, to confirm that it fits into your schedule.
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching MPH programs:
- Do I meet the admissions criteria? While most programs accept students from all educational and professional backgrounds, a few require students to have some previous public administration experience or take prerequisite coursework. Look carefully at the program’s admissions requirements to make sure you fulfill them before applying.
- Does this program offer the concentration I want? There are many opportunities for specialization within public administration, but not all programs offer all specializations. If there is a specific area of public administration on which you want to focus, make sure the program you’re exploring offers coursework or a concentration in it.
Once you have identified the programs that interest you, research their application deadlines, processes, and requirements, including work experience and standardized tests. This information is typically available on the program’s webpage; you can also contact the program directly if you have questions.
Funding your graduate education is another important consideration. Ask the schools you are applying to about scholarship and financial aid opportunities and deadlines. For individuals already employed in the public administration field, your employer might offer tuition remission or other financial support options for earning your master’s degree.