The Master of Public Administration degree is a field that specializes in political and business leadership. Every school program is different but in general the courses involve political science, sociology, history and economics.

Pre-Admission

When applying to a degree program, you will need to have a bachelor's degree and complete an application. You should also have your General Record Examination (GRE) scores, two or three recommendation letters and an essay.

Features

As with most master's degree programs, the public administration degree will take two years to complete. In the first year, you take courses related to the field such as public policy, urban planning and human resources. The second year is spent working on the thesis paper.

Benefits

With the Master of Public Administration degree, you can enter careers in government, human resources and business. For example, if you work for your local government as an administrative assistant in the human resources department, this degree can help you obtain higher positions in this field.

Types

The degree curriculum varies by school, but some schools focus more on political public administration while others are more business-oriented. In some schools, this degree is centered around the education field.

Considerations

When choosing a Master of Public Administration program, be sure to choose a school that offers a curriculum which best fits your career goals.

Source:

Harvard School of Business: Master of Public Administration

Columbia University: Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy

University of North Carolina: Master of Public Administration