Online MBA Degree in Public Administration

Online MBA MBA Degree Programs in Public Administration are designed for management professionals working at all levels of government. While this specialized MBA program is aimed particularly at developing the skills of future government or nonprofit leaders and policy-makers, the general management training offered in public administration MBA programs online are applicable to any management position, public or private.

Online MBA Degrees in Public Administration Requirements

Good online MBA degree public administration students are “idea people”. They should have the analytical and creative abilities necessary to critique current policy and provide innovative solutions to problems and challenges. The best online MBA programs in public administration will equip students with research and leadership strategies that serve in the development of new ideas as well as in getting those ideas put into practice.

Accredited online MBAs in public administration will usually require students to hold a bachelor’s degree in a similar subject, such as an online bachelor’s degree in public administration. Other relevant undergraduate degree titles include:

• Bachelor in Public Administration
• Bachelor in Public Policy and Administration
• Bachelor in Public Management
• Bachelor in Political Science
• Bachelor in Business Administration

Top online MBA degree programs in public administration will favor applicants that have already gained educational work experience, preferably in the public sector. Many online MBA public administration students will have previously worked, for example, as administrative assistants or as association executives within a government body or nonprofit organization.

Online Public Administration MBA Degree Education

Good online MBA degree programs in public administration typically take between 2 to 3 years to complete. The types of public administration degrees offered by the best public administration MBA programs online include:

• Master of Business Administration in Public Administration (MBA in Public Administration)
• Master of Business Administration in Public Policy and Administration (MBA in Public Policy and Administration)

Information on Public Administration Courses

As with all online MBA degree programs, online MBA programs in public administration feature classes in subjects such as economics, management theory, and psychology. In order to gain the online MBA public administration specialism students will typically be required to take additional courses that apply particularly to the public and/or nonprofit sector. Some examples include:

• Governmental Accounting
  This course introduces students to management accounting and financial reporting in the government contexts. Considers the role of, and necessity of adhering to, set governmental standards and regulations.
• Public Policy Formulation and Implementation
  This course offers students methods and strategies for resource allocation and for other decision making related to government-funded programs.
• Intergovernmental Management
  This course considers the challenges that government programs can face when operating across various jurisdictions. Students learn about how different levels of government and non-governmental organizations can relate to each other, cooperate and overcome conflicts.
• Governmental Budgeting and Finance
  Students in this course study government spending and income at all levels of government and learn about tax revenues as well as alternative revenue sources.
• Nonprofit Organization Management
  This course prepares students for the unique challenges and assets of nonprofit organizations. It examines topics such as human resources, funding sources and the legal and tax benefits and restrictions involved in nonprofit management.

Careers in Public Administration

There are a variety of management occupations for which online MBAs in public administration provide a suitable educational background. Online MBA degree public administration graduates frequently find work in the following roles (statistics and projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics):

• General Manager
  General managers supervise and coordinate all of an organization’s activity. They make an annual average of $62,900 to $137,020. General management opportunities should grow steadily over the next few years, but will also remain competitive. The best candidates possess a combination of strong industry experience as well as an advanced degree. Studying for public administration masters online, during which students often continue to work, can facilitate both.
• Management Consultant
  Management consultants are contracted to advise managers on how to best use their resources and avoid risks. On average, they earn between $54,890 and $99,700 per year. Consultants with some sort of specialized knowledge or expertise are the ones in highest demand.
• Nonprofit Top Executive
  Nonprofit top executives manage budgets, plan and direct programs and ensure that all resources are put to good use. Top executives generally make close to $137,020 per annum. Future growth for this position is expected to be average but competition is predicted to remain higher than for most professions.
• Government Chief Executive
  Government chief executives hold a range of titles including mayor, governor, and city manager. Their work involves developing and administering new government policies and laws. On average, they make close to $100,000 per year. Particular cities and regions will see different amounts of growth in chief executive opportunities over the next several years, but overall job prospects are expected to be good.
• Operations Research Analyst
  An operations research analyst collects and interprets data that influence policy and decision-making. On average, they make from $51,780 to $92,920 per year. People with a top online MBA degree in public administration can expect excellent job opportunities as research analysts. Individuals that hold a PhD degree such as an online PhD in public administration will likely have even better chances of securing the top paying jobs.

Accredited online management degrees in public administration lead to positions in which people can effect positive change through the creation and administration of new policies and projects.