Public administration is a broad field that involves implementing policies that are designed for the public good. As such, those who study public administration are generally interested in pursuing a career as a civil servant or within the government sector at the local, state or federal level.

Although public administration degrees had typically been associated with government jobs, a growing number of non-government career paths can be pursued by first earning a degree in public administration. This may include working within a non-profit organization or in other public service sectors, such as in the healthcare field or in animal welfare.

When pursuing a degree in public administration, you will learn more about interacting with people and policy development as well as the use of computer software and other types of technology that assist with careers in the field. Some areas that are typically emphasized in a bachelor’s degree program include:

· Public policy formulation
· Public administration
· Program development
· Human resources
· Leadership
· Labor relations
· Management strategies
· Critical thinking

When pursuing a master’s degree in the filed, your coursework will focus on areas such as:

· Financial management
· Advocacy
· Grant writing
· Policy writing
· Human resources management

Jobs typically pursued by those with a public administration degree include city manager, city planner, social work and more. To learn more about public administration and how you can pursue a degree in this area, visit the Top-Colleges home page.