August 18, 2025
Public administrators play a significant role in our communities, overseeing the implementation of government programs and services with the goal of improving our public’s quality of life. Careers in public administration are as diverse as the skills needed to succeed in these careers. A thoughtful education and a clear program of study can help you obtain a top career in public administration and make a positive difference in your communities.
If you’ve been considering growing your career in public administration, read on to find out what skills and education you might need to pursue impactful public administration jobs.
Why Choose a Career in Public Administration?
In a career in public administration, you can make positive changes in your community and our society. People in public administration may work in government agencies or nonprofit organizations, while others may even work for private organizations with the goal of making a difference through leadership, planning, and outreach.
Public administrators have the chance to see policies and programs in action, measuring their results and adapting as needed. Those filling these important roles get a unique look into our society and the efforts to make it better, safer, and more efficient for everyone.
Some skills that will help you advance in a public administration career include:
- Leadership
- Budgeting
- Creativity
- Patience
- Awareness
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Empathy
Many people who work in public service roles, such as police officers, veterans, nurses, or teachers, already possess many of these skills and traits necessary to transition into public administration. Those with a background in business also understand what it means to work cross-functionally to achieve goals. In short, professionals with a desire to make the world a better place and the right education can thrive in public administration jobs.
To plan your next move in this exciting sector, explore some of the top careers in public administration.
Advance Your Public Service Career Today!
Impactful Careers in Government and Public Administration
In public administration, you can help your community through a variety of leadership, planning, and government administration roles. What’s more, the need for these roles is growing. Explore some of the top careers and job responsibilities below.
- Social and community service manager:Coordinate and supervise programs that serve the public. Demand is expected to grow 8% between 2023 and 2033, resulting in 16,400 new jobs. 1
- City manager:Oversee the daily operations of a city, implement policies, and efficiently deliver services.
- Emergency management director:Plan emergency responses and oversee emergency response teams. The demand for emergency management directors is expected to grow 4% between 2023 and 2033. 2
- Nonprofit manager:Manage programs in a nonprofit organization through budgeting, fundraising, training volunteers, setting up partnerships, and more.
- Fundraising manager:Develop and execute fundraising campaigns and develop relationships with donors. The demand for fundraising managers is expected to grow 7% between 2023 and 2033. 3
- Policy analyst:Review and evaluate public policies to make recommendations that address the needs of a community.
- Urban and regional planner:Guide the growth of communities with an eye on social and environmental considerations. The demand for urban and regional planners is expected to grow 4% between 2023 and 2033. 4
This is just a look at the many public administration jobs available, each vitally important to the functioning of our communities. To pursue public sector employment, it can be beneficial to pursue an advanced public administration degree.
What Education Is Required To Work in Government and Public Administration?
While most careers in public administration require a bachelor’s degree, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) can help you stand out for top jobs and is often recommended for management-level roles and above.
An MPA can help you develop the expertise necessary to meet the public’s needs in our changing and complex society. You’ll be introduced to high-level concepts like policy analysis, research methods, strategic leadership, program evaluation, and more. This coursework will ensure you’re ready to lead teams in the nonprofit and government sectors.
Those who have earned their MPA degree find what they learned valuable in the workplace. Ohio University MPA graduate Luz Sanabria-Reyes said, “OHIO’s online MPA program gave me valuable skills that I've been able to apply in my career in disaster response and recovery.”
Working in the public sector is not simple, but the right education gives you the tools you’ll need for success.
Explore Ohio University’s Online MPA Degree
As you work to take the next step in your career, Ohio University's online Master of Public Administration or Executive Master of Public Administration programs can help you gain the skills necessary to advance your career in public administration. Learn through rigorous coursework combined with the flexibility of online education.
Throughout your time at OHIO, you’ll engage with expert faculty who bring their years of real-world MPA experience to the classroom. OHIO also offers veteran support to those who have served in the armed forces.
Some course highlights include:
- MPA 5140: Organizational Leadership
- MPA 5850 Policy Analysis for Public Affairs and Leadership
- MPA 5860: Public Budgeting
- MPA 6010: Research Methods in Leadership and Public Affairs
- MPA 6800: Strategic Leadership and Public Value
Choose a concentration in public leadership and management, nonprofit leadership and management, or state and local government management. Online MPA students also have the option to complete the nine-credit, 100% online Project Management Certificate in place of a concentration. With a project management certificate, you'll graduate prepared to manage risk, create timelines, prepare for change, and work cross-functionally with diverse teams.
Start your journey to an OHIO MPA degree today.
Related Resources
- Success In Action: Applying OHIO’s Executive MPA Skills Worldwide
- How Real-World Experience Enhances Your MPA Education
- How Ohio University Supports Veterans in the Executive MPA and Beyond
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook , Social and Community Service Managers, retrieved July 8, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm .
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook
, Emergency Management Directors, retrieved July 8, 2025, from
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/emergency-management-directors.htm . - Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook , Public Relations and Fundraising Managers, retrieved July 8, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/public-relations-managers.htm .
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook
, Urban and Regional Planners, retrieved July 8, 2025, from
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/urban-and-regional-planners.htm .
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