What Is Public Administration?

In 2022, there were about 7.49 million public administration workers, according to Data USA. What is public administration? In broad terms, it’s the management of resources and services used by the public. More specifically, it involves planning, coordinating, and overseeing government operations.

Whatever the size of the government office, public administration is crucial. Whether it’s developing policies or navigating bureaucracy, this diverse field is a combination of politics, law, and public service. Leaders in public administration act on behalf of communities to ensure that public services are implemented effectively.

A Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is the ideal educational foundation for those interested in a career leading public policy efforts and streamlining government functions. Graduates of MPA programs learn how to manage public sector organizations and work in a wide range of jobs at the local, state, and federal levels.

Why Is Public Administration Important?

Public administration is important because it involves decisions that directly impact communities. These administrators use their leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills to enhance public services, address social challenges, and help communities achieve better quality of life. Public service improvements can include implementing health programs, expanding public housing, overseeing infrastructure projects, addressing environmental protection efforts, and ensuring access to quality education.

Common Career Paths

Part of understanding what public administration is involves knowing what you can do with a master’s degree in public administration. As public administration is such a broad field, professionals can work in areas such as public policy, human resources (HR), government, consulting, and even the private sector.

Common careers include the following:

• Administrative services manager
• Urban planner
• City manager
• Grant writer
• Policy analyst
• Public works manager
• Lobbyist
• Program administrator
• Director of transportation
• Data analyst
• City budget analyst

Current Trends in Public Administration

As societal needs change, public administration evolves. The following emerging trends are likely to influence how administrators conduct their duties in the future:

• Technology and Artificial Intelligence: With increasing reliance on digital platforms and AI, technical skills are likely to be in high demand. For example, public finance projects may require workers to learn new accounting software or presentation tools. Investing in technology training may streamline tasks, saving time and money.
• Grant Compliance: Some experts are seeing an uptick in the need for more accurate reporting and tracking of grant funding. This is crucial, as noncompliance can impact the availability of funding for public resources.
• Financial Transparency: Due to past issues with political bribes and public scrutiny of finances, financial transparency has emerged as a key element of public administration. Organizations may need to collaborate with financial services professionals to ensure timely reports on the use of public funds.

Necessary Skills for Public Administration

Graduates of master’s degree in public administration programs develop several skills that prepare them for the workforce. Some are general, such as communication and decision-making, while others relate to specific responsibilities, such as financial administration. Here are some core skills for the field:

• Leadership: Public administrators oversee people and projects, so strong leadership skills are pivotal to making decisions in areas such as strategic planning, public finance, and program development.
• Adaptability: Public administrators are likely to interact with everyone from mayors to private citizens. Adaptability ensures that they stay productive while balancing their duties.
• Ethical Judgment: Public administrators must prioritize their communities’ needs without concern for their own personal or political benefit.

Other useful skills include creativity, teamwork, empathy, and patience.

Tips to Staying Current on Public Administration Knowledge

Public administrators can stay informed by networking with fellow policymakers, subscribing to government newsletters for the latest policy changes, and participating in conferences.

Obtaining certification in urban planning or public policy can also enhance their career prospects and knowledge of the field. Staying abreast of the latest public administration news doesn’t need to be limited to those working in the field — community members are also welcome to subscribe to government bulletins and attend city council meetings.

How to Get Started in Public Administration

Having defined what public administration is, you may wonder how to get started in the field. An MPA degree program can prepare you for various leadership positions in nonprofit, private, and government public organizations.

MPA programs offer courses such as public leadership and governance, policy development, and program management that help students enter the public administration field with strong administrative, strategic thinking, and managerial skills. In addition, students can gain specialized knowledge in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); urban sustainability; and civic engagement to communicate to diverse audiences and solve complex and relatable challenges through innovative policies.

Students can complete Claremont Lincoln University’s online MPA on a full-time (13 months) or part-time (26 months) basis. The 36-credit program includes a choice of four areas of concentration and a capstone project. Students build various skills, including policy development, equitable solutions, strategizing, and coalition building.

Find out how CLU prepares students for public administration careers.