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Are you interested in working to build strong communities and to improve the lives and opportunities available to the people who live in them? Do you want a career in which your expertise and skills can have a positive impact on solving challenges that are facing society? If so, a master of public administration (M.P.A.) degree could be the right choice for you.

The M.P.A. is a versatile professional degree that is designed primarily for people who want to pursue management and leadership careers in public service and the nonprofit sector. Because of its emphasis on understanding how governments and nonprofits function, an M.P.A. is also excellent preparation for careers in consulting and a variety of roles at businesses and organizations that deal with governmental departments and agencies, regulations, policies, contracts, grants, and community services.

While a M.P.A. is mainly focused on preparation for careers in government and nonprofit organizations, it is a multidisciplinary degree in which you can hone a wide range of transferable skills in management, finance and budgeting, analysis and critical thinking, communication, strategic planning, and understanding how organizations work.

If you’re just starting your career or are looking to make a career switch, an M.P.A. degree can give you a competitive edge in breaking into the public and nonprofit sectors. If you already have relevant work experience, earning an M.P.A. degree can open doors for your career advancement into management and leadership positions. 

What Do You Study in a Public Administration Program?

Typically, a M.P.A. degree equips students with the knowledge and skills to understand how government works and how to be an effective leader in addressing societal challenges and managing organizational operations. Under that umbrella, M.P.A. programs can vary widely in the requirements for the degree and the courses and specializations that they offer. In addition, capstone projects and internships may be options.

Here are examples of the types of courses and areas of study you might find:

• Public and nonprofit administration
• Strategic management and leadership
• Organizational theory
• Government and policy
• Policy analysis and research
• Policy design and implementation
• Regulatory policy
• Program evaluation
• Performance measurement
• Statistics and data analytics
• Public and nonprofit financial management
• Budgeting in the public sector
• Human resources management
• Public health policy and management
• Emergency management
• Public safety management
• Economic development
• Social Entrepreneurship 

What Kinds of Jobs Can You Get with a M.P.A.?

Depending on your work experience and the courses and/or specialization you choose, a M.P.A. degree can qualify you for a wide variety of exciting, impactful positions at all levels of government, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations, consulting firms, educational institutions, and businesses. Potential job titles include:

• Executive director
• City manager
• Department manager
• Policy director
• Public relations director
• Director of program operations
• Emergency management director
• Public safety director
• Public health analyst
• Budget analyst, manager, or director
• Public policy research associate
• Management analyst
• Program coordinator
• Manager of policy and advocacy
• Research project coordinator
• Public affairs director
• Governmental relations director or consultant
• Grant administrator or writer
• Social and community service director 

Pay and Prospects for M.P.A. Graduates

Below are some examples of general job categories for which the broad-based skill sets of M.P.A. graduates could be a good match. Listed for each is the annual median pay in 2023, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as the projected job growth rate from 2023–2033 and how that compares to the national average of job growth in all occupations. Keep in mind that work experience also plays a role in hiring and pay.

• Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records, information management, or support services
• Pay: $106,470; job growth of 6 to 8 percent (faster than average)

• Oversee multiple departments or locations, plan and manage operations and use of resources, and supervise personnel
• Pay: $101,280; job growth: 6 to 8 percent (faster than average)

• Prepare plans for responding to natural disasters and other emergencies and lead the response during and after emergencies. Usually work for local or state governments, as well as hospitals, colleges and universities, and private companies.
• Pay: $83,960; job growth: 4 percent (as fast as average)

• Analyze and recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency in operations, use of resources, and results
• Pay: $99,410; job growth: 11 percent (much faster than average) 

What to Look for in an M.P.A. Program

M.P.A. degrees can vary widely in terms of the disciplines and fields that are emphasized and the specializations and courses offered. As with any graduate degree, only you can determine whether a particular M.P.A. program is a good fit for you. Here are some factors you may want to consider.

• Does the curriculum match what you want to learn and the specific background required for the professional roles that you aspire to?
• Do the program’s faculty members have both academic credentials and experience as practitioners, especially in the areas in which you are interested?
• Will you gain the skills that will enable you to leverage the latest technologies and techniques used by professionals in the types of jobs you are seeking?
• Will you have opportunities for the practical, real-world application of your learning, such as case studies, group and capstone projects, and internships?
• Will the courses and experiences you have as a student help you develop the expertise and adaptability to stay current with future advances in technology?

Your Choice: A Customizable M.P.A. or an Analytics-focused M.P.A.  

The M.P.A. programs at Illinois Tech in µç³µÎÞÂë deliver academic rigor with a practical orientation, preparing students to advance their careers as effective, forward-thinking public and nonprofit managers, leaders, and entrepreneurs.

Our highly -respected faculty bring their government and nonprofit experience into the classroom, with an interactive teaching style and group projects in which students apply their learning to real-world challenges. Plus, the program’s location in downtown µç³µÎÞÂë and our connections within the city’s business, public sector, and nonprofit communities open up exciting opportunities for internships, networking, and jobs.

As a result, our M.P.A. alumni have pursued a wide variety of career paths, taking on impactful roles, for example, in µç³µÎÞÂë and Illinois government, at agencies such as the µç³µÎÞÂë Transit Authority and Federal Aviation Administration, at nonprofits including City Year and the American Cancer Society, with companies such as Intuit and Accenture, and as founders of their own businesses.

You can choose between two M.P.A. options at Illinois Tech, both of which build on a core public administration curriculum that is focused on developing your expertise and skills in management, leadership, data analysis, policy formulation, strategic planning, public finance, and effective program implementation.

Master of Public Administration

Customize your degree to match your interests, background, and career goals. You can select elective courses in public administration and other disciplines across Illinois Tech or choose one of three specializations:

• Nonprofit and Mission-Driven Management  
• Security, Safety, and Risk Management
• Economic Development and Social Entrepreneurship

Master of Public Administration in Analytics

In today’s data-driven environment, managers in high-performing organizations of all types need to leverage data analytics to drive success. This program complements core M.P.A. management expertise with a mastery of powerful quantitative skills in analytics. You’ll learn how to turn data and statistics into actionable insights that can be used to improve policies and programs in the public and nonprofit sectors. 

Expand Your Career Options in Public Administration

Learn more about Illinois Tech’s Master of Public Administration program and the STEM-designated Master of Public Administration in Analytics program.

Connect with us for information about scholarship opportunities, part-time and evening course options designed for busy professionals, hands-on work experiences, and the admission process.