The Top Public Administration MBA
Online Programs

Public administration is a broad field that encompasses both implementation of government policy and intermediation between public and private organizations. While this field of study often results in employment with government organizations, many public administration graduates work for nonprofits, non-governmental organizations and private businesses that must frequently interact with the government. Private businesses need individuals to help them navigate the often convoluted regulations and bureaucracies of the government. By pursuing an online Master of Business Administration in Public Administration, students will gain the knowledge to work within the government or serve as liaisons between private and public institutions.

The best online MBA in public administration programs are cross-disciplinary, teaching students a combination of political science, economics, sociology and general business. In fact, many schools with top online public administration MBA rankings are dual degree programs that lead to both an MBA and a Master of Public Administration. The wide breadth of knowledge gained during a public administration MBA online program makes graduates a valuable asset to both government and non-government institutions.

How can I tell if an online MBA public administration degree is right for me?

Students with an interest in public policy, nonprofit organizations and advocacy are the most likely candidates for an accredited online Master of Business Administration in Public Administration program.

Additional common traits amongst many online MBA public administration students include:

• A capacity for analyzing data or information
• An ability for getting information
• A skill for thinking creatively
• An aptitude for updating and using relevant knowledge
• A flair for processing information

How long does it take to earn an MBA online public administration degree?

Earning a public administration MBA degree online is comparable to earning any other similar degree. To earn this degree it normally takes 2 years of full-time schooling. However, students are able to complete the MBA under a timeframe that suits their schedule at some colleges that offer part-time or accelerated programs.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA public administration schools online?

An undergraduate degree is normally required before students can enroll in online MBA public administration programs. Some schools that have an MBA public administration online program have a preference for applicants who have degrees in related fields including criminal justice, business administration, sociology, and ethics.

In addition to requiring students to have a bachelor’s degree, many online MBA in public administration programs base admission on the following criteria:

• Work experience
• Essays
• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)
• Academic transcripts

What courses will I take in public administration MBA programs online?

During the first year of online MBA public administration programs, students take a combination of core classes covering both general business and legal topics. Core courses for article 1”>accredited online MBA programs in public administration generally include business ethics, legal studies, marketing, strategic management and business policy.

The second year of a public administration MBA online program transitions students into classes that focus on public policy. Online public administration MBA schools typically offer upper level classes including public budgeting, public policy, public financing, legislative procedure and administration of public institutions.

Some students enrolled in online public administration MBA programs complete an internship during the course of their education. Internships are valuable. Through them, students not only make important business contacts, but they also get an opportunity to apply what they are learning in their classes.

What are the best online MBA in public administration books I should consider reading?

Some books students wanting to pursue public administration MBA careers may find insightful are:

1. Caught Between the Dog and the Fireplug, or How to Survive Public Service (Kenneth Ashworth) – Written by a former public employee with over 40 years of experience, this book describes the daily challenges that public servants face and is a must read for anyone considering an MBA public administration online program.

2. Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service (Heather Krasna) – This book is a guide for people who want to find employment in the government, offering pointers on networking, résumé writing and interviewing techniques, as well as profiles of public employees and their jobs.

3. One Day, All Children…: The Unlikely Triumph of Teach for America and What I Learned Along the Way (Wendy Kopp) – The founder of Teach for America describes her tumultuous journey as a 21 year-old college senior who founded an organization, raised funds and worked with government entities to keep her dream afloat.

4. The Forest Ranger: A Study in Administrative Behavior (Herbert Kaufman) – Even though it was written in the 1960s, this book still serves as a relevant case study on how top managers in a large government agency can shape their employees into a unified team.

5. The Case for Bureaucracy: A Public Administration Polemic (Charles T. Goodsell) –Drawing on 9/11 and its aftermath, the author of this book argues that, despite popular belief, American public organizations and their employees are among the best in the world.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue public administration MBA jobs?

Graduates of MBA online public administration programs can find employment in the government, nonprofit and private sectors, giving them a wide range of career choices. Because of the variety of industries in which MBA public administration graduates can work, it is difficult to find the number of jobs available. The following are a few career options including the average public administration MBA salary graduates can expect to receive:

• City Manager – $70,000
• Public Safety Director- $75,000
• Nonprofit Program Coordinator- $40,000
• Policy Analyst- $51,000

Local, state and federal government is a key employer of graduates of public administration MBA schools online. According to the Brookings Institution, there has been a significant decline in government jobs over the years from 2009 to 2012, negatively affecting employment prospects for public administration graduates. This is due to the many budget cuts government organizations at every level have had to make in response to the recession. However, a study from John Hopkins University reveals that employment in the non-profit sector, which is another big public administration employer, grew 2.1% every year between 2000 and 2010 despite the recession. This is mostly due to the fact that nonprofits are primarily concentrated in growth areas of the economy, such as health care, education and social services.

Many employers want graduates who have studied from a program that has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accredited public administration MBA programs are believed to provide students with a quality education.

What are the top online schools to pursue an online Public Administration MBA degree?

• Strayer University
• Liberty University Online
• Ashford University