The 15 Best Online Public Administration MBA Degree Programs

There are incredible benefits to pursuing an online MBA with an emphasis in Public Administration. This kind of program can open many doors for business professionals who want to make a difference in public policy. Positions in corporations, public service organizations, and the government are applicable to students who have achieved this degree. The reason why the forecasting for positions in public administration continues to look strong for years to come is that there will continue to be a need for properly trained public administrators at the public, private, and government levels.

An online MBA in Public Administration is a perfect fit for professionals who have work experience and want to be exposed to more career opportunities in the future. Most business schools today will factor in a candidate’s professional experience during the application process so those with some managerial or public service experience will be attractive to MBA programs. The benefit of not commuting to campus during the work week is a huge perk to pursuing an online MBA in Public Administration. The flexibility a student experiences in enrolling for courses at a faster pace and completing assignments at the student’s convenience saves time and money.

Professionals currently working in public service have another advantage in pursuing an online MBA in Public Administration. Traditional graduate students are forced sometimes to quit their jobs to move to another city or state for a degree. Online MBA students can remain working for their organization and often be able to apply the principles taught in the virtual classroom to their jobs in real time. This produces a feeling of purpose for the MBA student, and the organization itself benefits from the effectiveness and efficiency practiced in the workplace.

With this in mind, we have compiled a list of the nation’s best online MBAs in Public Administration. These programs vary in expense and time frame for completion, but each one packs a high-quality curriculum and is delivered in a flexible and convenient context.

Methodology

MBA Central assessed all the online Public Administration MBA programs with the intent on finding the programs that offer the most value. By collecting data on Affordability (33%), Support Services (33%), and Quality of Classes (33%). We compiled this ranking to help future public administrators and leaders find programs suited to future goals and current needs.

Each Online Public Administration MBA program is listed with an Affordability Score based on the total base tuition of the degree. This figure categorizes each degree from Very Affordable to Very Expensive:

Very Affordable: under $15,000
Affordable: between $15,000 and $20,000
Average: between $20,000 and $30,000
Above Average: between $30,000 and $50,000
Expensive: between $50,000 and $100,000
Very Expensive: above $100,000

#1 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide College of Business – Daytona Beach, Florida

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide’s College of Business provides an online MBA with a concentration in Public Administration. This 33-credit hour online MBA enjoys a high score from U.S. News & World Report revealing it to be one of the nation’s very best online programs for student services. An averagely affordable tuition rate of less than $29,999 is another perk to this degree. Its prestige can also be seen in the accreditation it receives through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. While the core courses of this Public Administration include courses like Managerial Accounting for Decision Making, Strategic Marketing Management in Aviation, Business Research Methods, Managerial Finance, Advanced Aviation Economics, and a business capstone course. The business school’s admissions office is very accessible and will direct applicants on what requirements there are for program acceptance.

Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide has been a leader in distance education for over 25 years. Because of this, Embry-Riddle is the only four-year private school in the country to be awarded U.S. News & World Report’s top undergraduate online degree. The university got its start as Embry-Riddle Flying School in 1926. Talton Higbee Embry and John Paul Riddle are the school’s pioneers and the namesake as well. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide is home of the Eagles and currently oversees just over 14,500 students seeking associate through doctoral degrees. The University holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Besides the stellar concentration in Public Administration, the university’s business school also offers this Aviation MBA degree with specializations in Accounting, International Business, Finance, Leadership, Marketing, and Information Technology.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Average

#2 University of Louisiana at Monroe College of Business and Social Sciences – Monroe, Louisiana

The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers an online MBA with a Public Administration emphasis in the College of Business and Social Services. This stellar online program combines the business school’s prestigious accreditation through the AACSB with a nod from U.S. News & World Report as the 100th best online MBA. The respected ranking entity also gives the business school high marks for unparalleled support services for non-traditional and online students. Another unique feature of this degree is its affordable tuition rate which lies below $20,000. Requirements for the school’s online distance MBA program include access to high-speed internet, a computer outfitted with a microphone, webcam, audio and video capabilities, and the Microsoft Office suite of software. There are two admissions status’ that students can pursue. Regular admission features requirements like an undergraduate degree with a cumulative 3.0 GOA or 3.0 GPA over the final 60 hours of bachelor’s coursework with some higher-level degree experience. Conditional admission includes an undergraduate degree with 2.5 GPA or a minimum formula score when considering GPA and a GMAT/GRE score. Qualifying students can opt out of the GMAT requirement. Public Administration-intensive courses for this program include Public Budgeting and Finance, Ethics and Public Administration, Analysis of Political and Administrative Data, and Foundation of Public Administration.

Core courses within this online MBA offered at the University of Louisiana at Monroe include Management Information Systems, Strategic Management, Economic Environment, Financial Analysis, Accounting Analysis for Decision Making, Marketing Strategy, Global Operations, Supply Chain Management, and Multinational Leadership and Management. ULM was founded in 1931 as Ouachita Parish Junior College and offered two-year degrees. The school became a full-fledged university in 1969 and today features a student enrollment of 9,181. The University of Louisiana at Monroe is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Accreditation: AACSB, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Affordable

#3 Concordia University Wisconsin Batterman School of Business – Mequon, Wisconsin

An online Public Administration MBA is offered by the Batterman School of Business at Concordia University Wisconsin. This program is best suited for graduate students desiring to lead the way in community initiatives through a career in government and government-related public administration. The application process begins with students submitting proof of a bachelor’s degree, completed application with application fee, resume, one-page letter of intent, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation into the admissions office. This averagely-priced online MBA can be pursued for less than $29,999 in total tuition. U.S. News has heralded this program as the 184th best in the land and gave a nod to the business school for providing excellent support services to online and non-traditional graduate students. Students can graduate in under two years, and those with previous academic experience can transfer up to six credit hours into the degree. There is no GMAT requirement for acceptance which helps to save time and money during the application process. There are 15-credits included in the Public Administration concentration, and students have the option to choose courses like Project Management, Budget in Public Agency, Admin Law and Process, Public Personnel Amin, Public Program Evaluation, MBA Internship, and Intergovernmental Relations.

The Batterman School of Business at Concordia University Wisconsin is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education. Other stellar specializations attached to the online MBA include Communications and Public Relations, Accounting, Finance, Health Care Administration for Practitioners, Global Health Care Administration Human Resource Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Management, International Business, Management Information Systems, and Risk Assessment. The university got its start under the name of Concordia College Milwaukee in 1881. Planted on a campus in Mequon, Wisconsin, the school became a co-ed campus in 1964 and became a full-fledged university in 1989. Nearly 7,300 students study at Concordia University Wisconsin, both on the campus and through distance learning. The university is home of the Falcons and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Accreditation: IACBE, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#4 Liberty University School of Business – Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University offers an online MBA with a Public Administration focus through the School of Business. Liberty is able to offer this high-quality, average in affordability program for less than $30,000 in total tuition. U.S. News & World Report has recognized this online MBA as the 136th best in the United States. Students with some graduate classes already taken may be able to transfer up to half of this program’s requirements allowing them to graduate sooner and save a lot on tuition. In general, most students take two years to complete all program requirements. The ACBSP backs this degree with exceptional business accreditation. The degree’s curriculum has been shaped to sharpen a Public Administrator’s economic and political decision-making abilities and provide the professional with financial, management, and leadership skills which will help to serve the public.

While it is common for universities to raise tuition prices over the years, Liberty University has made a commitment to keep tuition prices for their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs unchanged for the past three years. Along with this high-powered Public Administration online MBA, Liberty also features specializations like American Legal Studies, Accounting, Criminal Justice Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Healthcare Management, International Legal Studies, International Business, Leadership, Marketing, and Public Relations within this distance program. For over three decades, Liberty University has been one of the leaders in distance education, beginning in the mid-’80s when the school would offer courses videotaped on VHS cassettes students would receive in the mail. Today, this four-year Christian university with a campus in Lynchburg, Virginia still prioritizes distance learning through flexible online education apparent in the business school’s high ranking by U.S. News & World Report for offering exemplary support services.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Average

#5 University of Baltimore Robert G. Merrick School of Business – Baltimore, Maryland

The University of Baltimore provides an online MBA with a specialization in Public Sector Management at the Robert G. Merrick School of Business. Other concentrations offered with this distance degree include Data Analytics, Cyber Security and Organizational Resilience, Digital Business, Managing Financial Performance, Entrepreneurship, Global Management, Leadership and Organizational Learning, Health Care Management, Leadership and Organizational Learning, and Marketing. U.S. News & World Report gives this degree high marks for its excellent support services and has deemed the Robert G. Merrick School of Business the 96th best location in the country for an online MBA. The total tuition amount for this degree is above average at less than $50,000. The business school enjoys excellent accreditation through the AACSB. This is a 36-credit hour program which allows students who have achieved qualifying graduate level coursework to waive up to 12-credit hours. Business and Public Policy in a Global Economy, Performance Management and Accounting Controls, Financial Management, Creativity and the Entrepreneurial Mindset, Marketing Strategy, IT for Business Transformation, Leading with Integrity, and Business Analytics are some of the core topics in this MBA. The program’s flexibility is apparent in a student’s ability to complete all courses online, in the classroom, or as a hybrid experience with both.

This online MBA with a Public Sector focus is a great choice to pursue at the University of Baltimore as the state of Maryland features such a large number of the country’s Federal civilian agencies, Federal labs, and military facilities. The university was founded by a group of Baltimore professionals in 1925 with the purpose of educating men and women for careers in industry. The school’s main campus is in downtown Baltimore in close proximity to the popular Inner Harbor region of the city. The student body of 5,565 at UB are pursuing degrees from the bachelor’s to doctoral levels. Students enrolled in the University of Baltimore’s Public Sector Management online MBA are offered classes like Innovation in Public Management, Public Program Evaluation, and Public Policy Implementation.

Accreditation: AACSB, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Affordability Score: Above Average

#6 Henderson State University College of Business – Arkadelphia, Arkansas

The College of Business at Henderson State University delivers an online MBA with an emphasis in Public Management. The only other specialization offered by the business school is in Accounting. Students may also pursue a general MBA. The total tuition price of this 36-credit hour degree is attractive for students seeking a very affordable degree. This program offers students the broad knowledge and strategies needed to be more than competent in a global business market. The school prides itself with providing advisors who are committed to working with individual students to find the courses that best equip and prepare students for success in their chosen fields. The College of Business is accredited through the AACSB. Core topics in this MBA include Strategic Information Systems, Accounting for Business & Finance Management, Public Sector Economics, Organizational Strategy, Managerial Finance, Marketing Seminar, Economic Analysis for Managerial Decisions, and Trends in Management. Admission requirements associated with this degree include a candidate’s having an undergraduate degree with a GPA of at least 2.7. The business school does require applicants to submit GMAT scores of at least 400.

The Higher Learning Commission accredits Henderson State University. The university with a campus in Arkadelphia, Arkansas features red and gray as its official school colors and is home of the Reddies. Henderson State was founded in 1890 and originally called Arkadelphia Methodist College. Charles Christopher Henderson, the school’s current namesake, was a local Arkansas businessman and respected Trustee. HSU is a public four-year school which delivers associate, undergraduate, and graduate degrees to over 3,300 students who attend classes there.

Accreditation: AACSB, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Expensive

#7 Belhaven University School of Business Administration – Jackson, Mississippi

Belhaven University offers an online MBA with a specialization in Public Administration at the School of Business Administration. Other concentrations offered within this online MBA include Leadership, Finance, Human Resources, Sports Administration, and Health Administration. The business school has centered the core courses to focus on the general business topics of accounting, finance, economics, and marketing. Areas of education specific to the public administration specialization include public policy, public law, ethics, and government budgeting. The emphasis-specific courses students can choose from are Public Policy Analysis, Administration of Financial Resources, Ethics and Society, Public and Administrative Law, and Economics and Public Policy. Candidates interested in this degree at Belhaven are expected to have completed an undergraduate degree with a 2.8 cumulative GPA or at least nine credit hours of a master’s degree with at least a “B” in each course completed.

This 45-credit hour program has a total tuition amount of less than $30,000. Belhaven’s School of Business Administration is accredited by the IACBE. U.S. News & World Report has named the business school the 205th best location for an online MBA in the country. Located in Jackson, Mississippi, Belhaven University operates under the motto of “Not to be Served but to Serve.” Belhaven was the result of an 1883 merger between The McComb Female Institute and Mississippi Synodical College. The first campus consisted of a mansion called Belhaven donated by Confederate veteran and successful businessman, Jones S. Hamilton. Today, Belhaven University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges and maintains a student body of over 4,400.

Accreditation: IACBE, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Average

#8 Northcentral University School of Business – San Diego, California

An online MBA with a concentration in Public Administration is found in the School of Business at Northcentral University. This business school allows students to overlap courses and provides weekly course start times which can result in students graduating in as quickly as one year. Mentorship is an important component to this degree as students have access to a 100% doctoral teaching staff that is primed for one-on-one personalized interaction. A perk that many may find interesting about this degree is that there is no GMAT or GRE requirement during the admissions process. The Public Administration focus is just one of the high-quality specializations offered within this 30-credit hour online MBA. Corporate Social Responsibility, General Business, International Business, Marketing, Project Management, Criminal Justice, Management, and Performance Improvement are just a few of the options a distance learner can choose from. With a total tuition fee of less than $30,000, this program receives its accreditation through the ACBSP. The School of Business has been deemed the 205th best place to pursue an online MBA in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Northcentral University holds regional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. The university is located in San Diego, California and features a student enrollment of 10,788. The types of degrees offered at the school are from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. Northcentral is home of the Roadrunners and operates as a four-year, private for-profit university. The school was founded in 1996 by Donald Hecht, who also established California Southern University.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission
Affordability Score: Above Average

#9 University of Mary Gary Tharaldson School of Business – Bismarck, North Dakota

The Gary Tharaldson School of Business at the University of Mary features an online MBA with a Public Administration concentration. The university offers several options for distance learners to choose from with a 100% online experience or the chance to take courses at one of the school’s traditional campuses in Bismarck, Fargo, and Grand Forks. The three-course addition to the online MBA with a Public Administration emphasis includes Foundations of Public Administration, Leadership in the Public Sector, and Public Finance and Budgeting. Other exceptional concentrations offered by the business school include Catholic Philanthropy, Healthcare, Healthcare Informatics, Project Management, Human Resource Management, and Virtuous Leadership. The University of Mary’s Gary Tharaldson School of Business also delivers this MBA as a general degree without an area of concentration. This affordable online MBA can be completed in just 20 months taking courses at an accelerated pace.

The business school is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, and the University of Mary holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. Just under 3,400 students are currently seeking degrees at the undergraduate through doctoral levels at this four-year private Catholic college in Bismarck, North Dakota. The Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery founded the university under the name of Mary College in 1959. The first class at the College was less than 70 students. The first graduate programs were introduced at the University of Mary in 1986 and included programs in education, management, and nursing. Like all programs delivered at the university, the online MBA is provided with Benedictine Catholic traditional values.

Accreditation: IACBE, Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Affordable

#10 Doane University College of Professional Studies – Lincoln, Nebraska

Doane University’s College of Professional Studies features an online MBA with a concentration in Nonprofit and Public Administration. Students looking for a high-powered curriculum combined with a very affordable tuition rate will want to consider this degree that can be pursued at the school’s campuses in Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island, or online. This online has been built from the business school’s traditional MBA; this ensures the content is just as robust as what classroom students are exposed to. Qualitative and quantitative skills are emphasized throughout this 30-credit hour program. Important themes the business school values include social responsibility in business leadership, creating a culture through building strong relationships with people, and emphasizing technological innovation in business. The Nonprofit and Public Administration concentration offered by the College of Professional Studies will train students for successful careers in the public sector focusing on areas like rational decision making, policy analysis, and budgeting.

The Higher Learning Commission grants Doane University its regional accreditation. Doane is a private not-for-profit four-year university. The campus of their College of Professional Studies is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and their main campus resides in Crete, Nebraska. The university was founded in 1872 as Doane College and named after railroad chief civil engineer, Thomas Doane. The school still enjoys a religious affiliation with the United Church of Christ. Doane features 40 bachelor’s programs, three master’s programs, and a Doctorate in Education. Other concentrations offered within the university’s online MBA program include Human Resource Management, Leadership, Project Management, Nonprofit and Public Administration, Healthcare Administration Supply Chain Management, and Data Analytics.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Very Affordable

#11 Southern New Hampshire University School of Business – Manchester, New Hampshire

The School of Business at Southern New Hampshire University provides an online MBA with a Public Administration emphasis. The business school offers many specializations. Athletic Administration, Community Economic Development, Economics, Engineering Management, Finance, Healthcare Informatics, Healthcare Management, Information Technology Management, Internet Marketing, Leadership, Music Business, Project Management, Quantitative Analytics, Social Media, and Sustainability & Environmental Compliance are just some of the excellent directions online students can take their MBA studies. This program consists of 12 courses and is considered average in affordability. The ACBSP backs this stellar degree. Classes are delivered within 10-week terms allowing students who want an accelerated experience to graduate in just 15 months. There is a rolling admissions process allowing incoming students to register for courses at multiple times throughout the calendar year. Potential graduate students lacking the GMAT will be happy to know there is no GMAT/GRE requirement.

Southern New Hampshire University is a well-respected university sitting in the state of New Hampshire. SNSU was founded my then-married couple A.B. Shapiro and Gertrude Crockett Shapiro in 1932. Today, the school holds regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education. Manchester, New Hampshire is the site for the school’s main campus, and the student body consists of over 90,000 students pursuing associate through doctoral degrees. SNSU’s official colors are blue and gold. The university’s excellent online MBA with an emphasis in Public Administration includes Intergovernmental Relations and Strategic Management in Public Service within its curriculum

Accreditation: ACBSP, New England Commission of Higher Education
Affordability Score: Average

#12 University of the Southwest College of Business Administration – Hobbs, New Mexico

The University of the Southwest offers an online MBA with a specialization in Public Administration at the College of Business Administration. One perk of this averagely affordable degree is that all resources need for the program, like textbooks and technology fees, are included in the tuition. The business school even gives distance learners their own laptop to work on for the program. Completion of an undergraduate degree is required for admission into this online MBA with a Public Administration concentration. Students lacking an undergraduate degree in business are encouraged to apply for the program as there are no prerequisite courses to complete. An applicant’s military training, professional training, and vocational experience may be factors in going towards credits which can help a graduate student complete all program requirements in just twelve months.

This excellent online MBA is just one of the programs offered at the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, New Mexico. B. Clarence Evans was the university’s founder in 1956 when it was established as Hobbs Baptist College. In just two short years, the school was awarding four-year degrees under the new name of New Mexico Baptist College. The University of the Southwest went through its final name change in 2008 and today exists as a four-year liberal arts university bachelor’s and master’s level degrees. Just over 1,000 students are enrolled at the university. The University of the Southwest is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The school’s online MBA in Public Administration emphasizes the practical application of each course’s content. Specialization courses include Public Administration, Organizational Design and Strategy, Fundraising for Non-Profit Organizations, City and Public Personnel Management, and Public Policy and Government.

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Affordability Score: Average

#13 Strayer University College of Business

An online MBA with a focus in Public Administration is delivered by the College of Business at Strayer University. The goals of this 10-course program include a graduate’s being proficient in applying management and organizational practices to boost accountability and efficiency within public, private and non-profit administrations. Students will also be able to utilize financial tools and techniques in the creation and maintaining of public budgets. Besides being able to develop public employee policies that encourage efficient use of resources, professionals with this degree will possess leadership skills needed to function effectively at many levels of public administration. Some of the other interesting online MBA emphases offered by the business school include Accounting, Business Data, Acquisition, Digital Entrepreneurship, Global Management, Finance, IT Security Management, Professional Studies, Management, and Marketing. The affordability of this excellent degree falls within the average range showing an excellent value for the money. The ACBSP has accredited this online MBA delivered at Strayer. The Public Administration-intensive courses found in this MBA include Public Personnel Management, Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation, Public Budgeting and Finance, and Modern Public Administration: Managing Public and Nonprofit Organizations.

Students looking for options will be impressed by Strayer University. Strayer currently maintains over 80 campuses within 15 states in the United States. The university has always had a commitment to bringing quality higher education to working adults. Middle States Commission on Higher Education grants the school’s regional accreditation, and nearly 40,000 students are currently taking courses through Strayer at the associate through graduate levels. In 1892 the school started as the Strayer’s Business College and would later earn its university status in 1996. Strayer’s online MBA with an emphasis in Public Administration is an excellent option for distance learners looking for extreme flexibility and convenience.

Accreditation: ACBSP, Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Affordability Score: Average

#14 – Removed by Editor

#15 Florida National University Online Learning Division – Hialeah, Florida

Florida National University’s Online Learning Division features an online MBA with a specialization in Public Management & Leadership. The business school’s other high-quality specializations include Finance, General Management, Accounting, Marketing, and Health Services Administration. Classes for this MBA program can be taken 100% online, in the classroom, or through virtual learning classes. This program features an accelerated program allowing students to graduate in just one calendar year. Qualified students can see even more savings by applying for scholarships offered through the business school. Benefits of this degree include six start times each year, and the business school advertises small class sizes and short, eight-week terms. FNU receives its regional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

Core courses for this 36-credit hour degree include Legal, Ethical, and Social Values of Business, Business Modeling, Entrepreneurial and Strategic Thinking, Accounting for Decision Makers, and Organizational Dynamics. The Public Management & Leadership-intensive courses include Contemporary Project Management, Administrative Law and Public Policy, Financial Management in Public Organizations, and a Capstone of The Administration of Public Institutions. This stellar online MBA is just one of the incredible programs offered at Florida National University. Florida National opened its doors in 1988 as the Florida International Institute. The student body of the school is described as diverse while the majority of the 4,169 students are Hispanic. The school’s main campus is in Hialeah, Florida.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges
Affordability Score: Average

What is public administration and why is it important?

Public Administration touches many areas of business, social service, and government today. At its core, public administration deals with leading and serving in government agencies, public, and private organizations. Pursuing a degree in this field is valuable for a number of reasons. First, seeking higher education takes a high level of commitment. Master’s degrees can be expensive, they require time to study and complete assignments, and they require discipline from the students. Throughout their college career, some students begin to question if they are pursuing the right degree or if they should quit school all-together and join the workforce. With so many opportunities to struggle with completing a degree, it is important to find purpose and a higher call to one’s education.

A degree in public administration is a popular choice for students who truly want to make a difference by leading people well in a number of contexts. The list of career possibilities is a long when considering what is available to you after completing an MBA in public administration. City managers, administrative officers, directors of planning, finance directors, policy advisors, and strategy consultants are just a few of the many positions that relate well to this degree. Professionals desiring to work in state and federal government can be exposed to excellent opportunities with an MBA in this field under their belt. Since most MBA programs require their students to have some work experience in their field of study, an online MBA in public administration may be a good fit. This type of degree allows distance learners the chance to remain in their current job positions and immediately apply concepts learned in the classroom to those workplaces.

What is the difference between an MPA and an MBA in public administration?

You want to make a difference. You want to choose a profession with stability and purpose. With so many uncertainties in the market, you want to keep your options open. Perhaps these thoughts and motivations have brought you to a crossroads. Down one path lies an MPA and down the other an MBA in public administration. Where will these different paths take you? Which would be a better use of your time and resources? To best understand the major differences between a master’s in public administration and a master’s of business in public administration is first to understand your professional destination.

A master’s of public administration is designed to equip students with knowledge and strategies for functioning within nonprofit management and administration within the public sector. Someone with an MPA could naturally take a position in local, state, or federal government or work for a school district or in health services.

A master’s of business administration with a focus in public administration will better equip business managers and administrators more interested in the private sector of service. As an MBA is broader in focus, it can be a smart choice for professionals who want to have more options in the future. This is also an attractive degree for an employee interested in a new career direction.

What are some jobs in public administration?

The three most common areas of professions in public administration fall under federal government positions, local or state government jobs, and professions in the nonprofit sector. However, there are also many opportunities for public administration online MBA graduates in the private sector as a graduate degree in business management encompasses many areas of leadership.

The United States government offers many positions for properly trained public administrators. Because this profession deals so much with budget and finance management, the solid accounting and economics education delivered through a degree like an online MBA sets up a professional nicely for a role as a budget analyst, financial manager, purchasing agent, or tax examiner.

Public administration jobs within local and state governments also abound. Many city managers, prison wardens, public works directors, and human services directors received training through higher education in public administration. Some of the positions are elected officials as well as appointed and hired employees.

The National Center for Charitable Statistics currently reports there are over 1.5 million nonprofit organizations registered in the United States. The success of each of these organizations lies in their leadership. Nonprofits that exist to serve the common good will always need to fill positions like marketing executives, program directors, and fundraising managers.