For those passionate about affecting social change and bettering the lives of struggling families and individuals, the decision to pursue a master’s in public administration can be among the most rewarding of their lives.
The public sector is made up of organizations dedicated to improving and strengthening communities of individuals in need. Loosely defined as government service organizations and national goodwill organizations, known as NGOs, the public sector is an area of the economy dedicated to providing public and community services.
Employment in the public sector promises significant career stability, as well as the chance to strengthen relationships with elected officials and other community stakeholders. A master’s degree in public administration is the most widely accepted credential for a professional hoping to make significant inroads in the field of public service.
Advantages of Working in the Public Sector
Employees in the public sector are able to earn a comfortable living while making a measurable impact on the lives of the people they serve. They enjoy job stability, high-quality benefits packages, and the opportunity for significant growth. The benefits of working in the public sector are as varied as the opportunities, whether you're dedicated to music and the arts, homeless advocacy, and human services, an improved legal system, or the environment.
A Program Designed for a Growing Field
Tremendous growth opportunities exist in the public sector now more than ever. The field is in need of high quality, well-trained leaders. The University of Miami has developed a comprehensive online master’s degree with that in mind. Graduates come away with a nuanced understanding of public policy and governance, as well as the facility in developing productive organizations both nationally and internationally.
Students complete coursework in a variety of areas designed to fine-tune an understanding of the administrative environment and to provide them with the critical foundational knowledge of systemic and policy frameworks. Many NGOs have significant opportunities for growth, but the highest echelon within a public sector organization is often closed to employees without master’s degrees.
"I chose to get my MPA because I knew it was a well-rounded degree that would help me develop skills beyond what I was able to learn on the job, says Rachael Grygorcewicz, Director of Visitor Services and Facilities, Lower East Side Tenement Museum.
"I found that I was able to increase my knowledge about all aspects of the non-profit world, from budgeting, board development, to diversity in the workplace and marketing to a target audience. Furthermore, it was beneficial to learn about other students’ experiences in the workplace and share the challenges we face as well as opportunities. In terms of my earning potential, I have become a much more sought-after candidate for high-level jobs—there is now no management title or position in my field that is out of reach."
An Education with Practical Application
UOnline’s dynamic curriculum covers a wide variety of concepts and topics that are closely aligned with the demands of an administrative career in the public sector and is built on a strong foundation of rigorous coursework.
A course in NGOs and Global Governance introduces the work of NGOs that serve international populations. It also explores the politics of governance, representation, and advocacy. Students will also investigate questions related to policy and public administration in the Political Analysis, while a class on the Political Environment of Business trains students on the relationships between government, businesses, and private citizens. Coursework also focuses on the transition to digital governance, touching on future strategies and systems for independent organizations and political service groups
The Skills Needed to Make a Difference
Earning a master’s in public administration enables individuals with vested interests in changing the status quo to implement broad-reaching solutions with real-time effects. They can make a measurable difference in the lives of people in their communities and in the causes most important to them.
The Pride of Being a Hurricane
The UOnline master’s in public administration is specifically designed for working professionals who want the flexibility that an online degree provides without sacrificing the quality of their educations.
Students enrolled in the program will enjoy the prestige that comes with a degree from the University of Miami, named by Forbes as a top university in the state of Florida. They'll enjoy the benefits of the college’s robust 180,000 alumni network connections. Students who complete the program will graduate fully prepared to apply their practical skills and their knowledge of theory and policy to exciting positions in a growing field, poised and ready to serve the public good.
References
UF, UM, top Forbes' best Florida schools list
Master's in Public Administration
How to Make a Career in Public Service
