Public Administration Major

• What is Public Administration?
• What Kinds of Students Major in Public Administration?
• What Courses Do Public Administration Majors Take?
• List of Public Administration Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for Public Administration Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is Public Administration?

Public (governmental and non-profit organization) administrators should be able to apply current theories of management and analytical techniques toward future challenges as well as the day-to-day problems they face. This is a major, which centers on public service and administration. Careers earned in this field are based in either government services or other public offices or services. An appreciation of the socio-economic, political, and ethical environments in which businesses/governments operate is needed to succeed in these endeavors. These students will become professionals who are knowledgeable in the theories, principles, and practices of administration and who can apply their skills in a variety of organizational settings, especially within governmental settings.

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What Kinds of Students Major in Public Administration?

Individuals who wish to pursue a career in either a government office or a public office, which services and coordinates the public, are found in this major. These people need to possess analytical, quantitative, organizational, communicative, and computer skills in order to be of the best value to their employers and their positions. This is a major, which focuses upon services to the general public, and individuals working here receive a sense of accomplishment for what they do for the community.

Is Public Administration the right major for you?
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What Courses Do Public Administration Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Public Administration majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Administration	Public and Non-Profit Budgeting
Constitutional Foundations of Diplomacy	Environmental Problems
Government Organization	Intermediate Decision Making
Issues in Public Administration	Legislative Process
Management Science	Policy Formulation
Policy Implementation	Public Administration
Science / Technology / Public Policy

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List of Potential Jobs in Public Administration

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Administrative Officer	Auditor
Budget Analyst	Contract Negotiator
Contractor Industrial Relations Specialist	Employee Development
Employee Relations Specialist	Field Examiner
Financial Examiner	Urban and Regional Planner

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What is the Median Salary Range for Public Administration Careers?

Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in Public Administration

MyMajors complete list has 1,210 schools in the USA with a major in Public Administration.
-View the national listing!

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