Public Administration

What is public administration?

Public administration is the work of managing any government or publicly funded agency for the public welfare.

What should I look for in an online public administration school?

The best online public administration schools should possess either regional or national accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

In addition, you can often recognize top online public administration schools based on:

• The school’s name and status
• The school’s history
• Teacher credentials
• Alumni network

In choosing the best online public administration school for you, you should consider the following factors:

• Admission requirements
• Residency requirements
• Class and teaching style
• Testing methods used
• Course content and presentation
• Program length
• Class size
• Student-teacher interaction
• Technology use
• Tuition and financial aid
• Transferability of credits
• Availability of a dedicated administration team and resources

What levels of online public administration programs are available?

The following levels of public administration degree online programs are available:

• Online Public Administration Certificate Programs
• Online Associates in Public Administration
• Online Bachelor in Public Administration
• Online Masters in Public Administration
• Online PhD in Public Administration

How long does it take to get an online public administration degree?

The amount of time it takes a student to earn an accredited online public administration degree depends on the level of public administration degree being pursued and the pace of the student.

Typically, the breakdown is as follows:

• Online Public Administration Certification Programs – 6 months to 1 year
• Online Public Administration Associates Degree – 2 years
• Online Public Administration Bachelor Degree – 4 years
• Online Public Administration Masters – 2 years
• Online Public Administration PhD – 2 to 5 years

What are some examples of online public administration courses?

Students enrolled in an accredited online public administration school might find the following online public administration courses interesting:

• Introduction to American Government
  Students will explore the history and structure of State and federal government in America.
• Principles of Public Administration
  This course surveys the field of public administration, including the executive branch, executive-legislative interactions, administrative procedures, and classical and contemporary bureaucratic problems.
• Financial Accounting
  This course examines the composition and interpretation of financial reports in public agencies.
• American State and Local Government
  This course provides an overview of sub-national governmental structures and their administration.
• Statistics
  This course surveys the various methods and techniques of statistical calculation pertinent to public administrative decision-making.

What areas of public administration specialization are available?

Students enrolled in accredited online public administration schools might choose to specialize in any of the following sub-fields:

• Public Policy
• Criminal Justice
• Governmental Management
• Health Care Management
• Global Issues & Social Justice
• Law & Legal Studies
• Managing in the Public Environment
• Public Service

What can I do with a public administration degree?

There are a variety of career options for graduates of a popular online public administration school, including:

• Municipal Government
• Federal Agencies
• Human Services
• Non-profit Groups
• Non-Governmental Organizations

What is a public administrator?

A public administrator is a civil servant who implements policy within a government's executive framework.

What does a public administrator do?

Public administrators manage nearly every aspect of public service, on the federal, State, and local levels. Depending on their position, their duties may be largely clerical, or they may be involved in higher-level decision-making.

How much does a public administrator earn?

Public administrator’s average salaries range from $44,928 to $94,992. Growth in public administration jobs will vary by State and region, but in general job prospects are favorable. Regular turnover coupled with population growth will fuel demand for more administrators.

How do I become a public administrator?

The path of how to become a public administrator varies depending upon the level of the position in question. Entry-level clerical positions may not have any particular training requirements, while top-tier administrative jobs obviously demand considerable education and extensive experience. One way or another, completing an online public administration degree program is an excellent first step for students interested in any public administration career.