Best Online Master’s in Public Administration Programs of 2021

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This course traces the evolution of public administration as a profession and introduces the basic skills that public administrators, nonprofit leaders, and public policy analysts require in their positions. Students explore theories, practices, and methods of modern public administration. They also examine ways public administrators confront contemporary issues and challenges.

This course examines budgeting processes at the local, state, and local levels and how expenditures define governmental priorities. Topics include evaluation of revenue streams, budgeting tools, and budget creation. Students may also learn about nonprofit financial management, government procurement processes, tax regulations, debt financing, and financial valuation.

Students learn about critical human resource functions, such as recruitment and hiring, employee compensation and benefits, workforce development, retention, and discipline as they apply to the public sector or a nonprofit organization. This course explores current trends and issues, such as motivation, diversity, and legal constraints.

To prepare for organizational leadership roles, students analyze the characteristics of effective organizations and the personal, interpersonal, and group factors that impact organizational behavior. Topics include decision-making structures, managing conflict, and motivational strategies.

This course introduces the policymaking process and explores the fundamentals of policy formulation, implementation, and analysis. Students analyze current policy debates and issues, learn about the role of public administrators in policy implementation, and explore tools and strategies for policy analysis.

This concentration prepares students for leadership roles at nonprofit organizations and public service agencies. Students gain skills in areas such as board development, human resources, budgeting and financial management, fundraising, marketing and communication, volunteer management, and strategic planning.

This specialization prepares public administrators to analyze policy needs and create innovative policy solutions to meet those needs. Courses explore factors that impact policymaking and teach the analytical, leadership, and practical skills needed to design, implement, evaluate, and modify public policy.

Students wishing to specialize in human resources develop advanced expertise in areas such as workforce development, compensation strategies, recruitment and retention, and human resource planning. Courses in this specialization explore relevant laws, policies, and regulations, as well as the impact of market factors and labor relations.

Students prepare for leadership positions as healthcare administrators. They learn to manage the fiscal and administrative challenges facing the public and private healthcare organizations. Graduates gain expertise in areas such as budgeting, human resources, and strategic planning for healthcare organizations.

Students in this specialization learn public administration theories, methods, and skills that are specifically relevant to urban planning and management. This specialization prepares graduates to work as urban planners and administrators, oversee service delivery systems, and coordinate services with other levels of government.

MPA programs teach students the leadership, administrative, and analytical skills needed to drive positive change at the organizational, local, state, or federal level. Students develop skills in financial management, human resource management, and strategic planning. They also practice applying these skills to practical situations. This degree can prepare you to change jobs or advance your career.

With an MPA, you can qualify for a job in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. Graduates work as policy analysts, program managers, and budget analysts. They can also hold positions as leaders at all levels of government, in private companies, and in nonprofit organizations. Degree-holders serve as city managers, state agency heads, and nonprofit administrators, for example.

This degree hones your management, communication, and analytical skills. It can qualify you for positions with greater responsibility and input. Most MPA programs require students to apply their skills through research or client-based capstone projects. Such requirements can help you demonstrate your skills and abilities to employers.

MBA and MPA degrees require similar coursework and teach many of the same skills. Both degrees prepare graduates for leadership positions. If you plan to work in the private sector for a business or for-profit corporation, an MBA may be the better choice. However, an MPA provides better preparation for individuals planning to pursue a career in government, social services, or the nonprofit sector.

Effective leadership and management skills are essential in organizations of all types. An MPA can help you tackle the challenges faced by your organization by equipping you with fundamental public administration skills, such as competencies related to financial management, human resource management, and policy analysis. If you enjoy finding ways to make programs work better for people, an MPA can help.