Online Public Administration Degree Programs

Online public administration degree programs open doors to public service and opportunities in local, state, national, and even international government and politics.

If you enjoy serving in elections, working with groups, analyzing problems, and making recommendations regarding government policies, an online public administration degree will offer you the training you need.

Some of the issues public administrators focus on includes accountability, resources and solutions for modern managerial problems faced by criminal justice agencies.

Possible public administration jobs and careers include becoming a city or county manager, administrative officer, safety officer, management analyst, systems analyst, computer specialist, security specialist, public utilities specialist, budget analyst, or public relations specialist.

Public Administration Degree Online Colleges

Walden University is one of the largest, accredited online universities. Walden offers bachelor's, master's, MBA and PhD programs with specialized programs in public administration. Their PhD and online master of public administration degree programs include:

• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - General Program
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Health Policy
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Homeland Security Policy
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Interdisciplinary Policy Studies
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Law and Public Policy
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Public Finance and Budgeting
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Public Management and Leadership
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Local Government Management for Sustainable Communities
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Nonprofit Management and Leadership
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Policy Analysis
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Terrorism, Mediation and Peace
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - General
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Criminal Justice
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Homeland Security Policy and Coordination
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Health Services
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - International Non Governmental Organizations
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Knowledge Management
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Nonprofit Management and Leadership
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Public Management and Leadership
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Public Policy
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Public Safety Management

Strayer University offers the following online masters of public administration degree programs:

• Masters of Public Administration
• Master of Business Administration: Public Administration Concentration

South University offers the following online master of public administration program:

• Master of Public Administration degree

Ashford University offers the following online bachelor's and master's degrees in public administration:

• BA/Organizational Management - Public Administration
• BA/Organizational Management - Public Safety Administration
• Bachelor of Arts - Public Administration
• MA/Organizational Management - Public Administration
• Masters in Public Administration
• MBA/Public Administration

Keller Graduate School of Management - offers the following online master of public administration program:

• Master's in Public Administration

Public Administration Degree Courses, Education, and Training

An online bachelor of public administration degree is geared toward individuals seeking specific careers in government administration and policy, such as becoming the city manager of a small town or city. If your goal is to secure executive placement in top government careers, including homeland security and defense jobs, then earning your online master of public administration degree would be ideal.

When you pursue an online master of public administration degree program, you may choose to focus on public policy, finance, administration, security management, organizational government, and other disciplines. At the PhD level, specialized training may include constitutional law, civil rights, local laws, safety management, and the investigation of accidents.

If you are a student seeking a master's degree in public administration, you will learn key management and leadership skills, as well as media relations, strategic planning, and how to respond to disaster circumstances.

An online public administration degree program differs from a criminal justice program in the sense that students in a criminal justice program are likely to pursue careers as police officers and officers of the law, while those pursuing an online master of public administration degree are seeking employment in administrative or investigative positions related to law enforcement and government policy.

Salary and Employment Outlook for Graduates of Online Public Administration Degrees and Programs

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the areas of police, detective, and public administration work is anticipated to grow by 11% between 2006 and 2016. Because our society is becoming increasingly concerned about security, the need for public administration personnel may be even higher.

Public administrators have demanding, time-consuming, and sometimes dangerous jobs. Salaries are substantial for public administrators. In 2006, the median annual salary for a city manager/chief administrative officer was $92,799, while a police chief earned a minimum annual base salary of $78,547. A deputy chief earned a minimum of $68,797 during the same period.

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