What is the Master of Public Administration?

The Master of Public Administration, often abbreviated MPA, is a post-graduate degree is the field of public administration. This degree is most often earned by individuals who want to work in the public sector or for government agencies, although the degree is also applicable for many non-profit organization. A Master of Public Administration will most likely prepare an individual for such jobs as city manager, budget analyst, and positions within human resources. Individuals with an MPA can be employed by large, national and international organizations or by small, local governments and groups.

Earning a Master of Public Administration is usually part of a two-year program. This full-time class work will often be in addition to any thesis requirements or work the student may have to complete for the degree. Since an MPA is a post-graduate degree, a student will have already earned a bachelor's degree in a related field before being accepted into a master's program and beginning their coursework. Most major universities offer a Master of Public Administration or similar degree. Some similar degrees include a Master of Public Policy, which focuses more on creation of policy than its implementation, or Master of Public Affairs.

An MPA will cover many different aspects of public administration and focus on a variety of disciplines. This is done in order to best prepare students for the variety of tasks they may encounter in their jobs, and gives a certain versatility that is necessary for the various organizations an individual may want to work for. An individual who has earned his or her Master of Public Administration may have taken classes in anthropology, economics, or even law. Many schools will allow students to select which classes they want to take in order to have a specific emphasis associated with their degree.

Those employed in public administration often have to be able to deal with and address a number of different topics. Since legislators or policy makers aren't often involved in the actual implementation of said policies, an MPA may help manage any implementation associated with new laws or directives. An MPA may also be involved with overseeing or managing a budget, as well as handing other financial responsibilities of an organization. He or she may be involved in an organization's broader endeavors, like general structuring or defining the role of each individual, or be responsible for more specific tasks as part of a smaller department or division.