<p>The public administration major just landed on my radar and I know very little about it. At my school, this is how it's described:</p>
<p>
<p>The BS in public administration allows students to take courses in government and nonprofit management and others in computer applications and business administration. Because students will study both business and government, they will be well prepared for careers in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors.
</p>
<p>That is very intriguing to me. I've always seen myself in either a government job or running a nonprofit or something like that. Can you all tell me anything about this major? </p>
<p>It’s kind of a generic major which applies to many different career paths (similar to business). Many government personnel get Masters degrees in Public Admin.</p>
<p>I personally would not look at undergrad PA. If you are interested in government jobs, I would probably look for some type of urban/social policy major with more of a liberal arts focus. Save the PA for grad school. I have an MPA.</p>
<p>I’ve definitely thought about that too. What exactly has the MPA offered you in terms of job opportunities, salary (you don’t have to be too specific), etc.</p>
<p>I concur with Haystack. I also have an MPA. I focused my MPA on public finance and have had a number of different and very interesting government jobs within that sector.</p>
<p>My MPA concentration was in urban planning. I worked briefly in a city manager office but then moved to recreation administration. Government pay can be good. As with any career, internships or part time work is key.</p>
<p>Well, any liberal arts major would prepare students for that. Really, this is one of the generic majors, much like general business administration or management at undergrad level. I am afraid it’s not pre-professional enough on the one hand, and not intellectually rigorous on the other.</p>
<p>One reason to consider an undergrad major in Public Administration is if your school would then allow you to apply for a 1 year MPA. I think this is possible at Indiana…maybe other schools, too.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, my son has applied to various MPP and MPA programs, but says he is much more in to the MPP area than the pure MPA. What is the fundamental difference, and what is the difference in employment opportunities?</p>
<p>As one who has spent his entire career as a public employee let me tell you: DON’T DO IT. The pay sucks; the benefits and salaries get less and less every year; everyone hates you; you are targeted by idiotic politicians who use you to get elected; newspaper reporters write about you and your programs without having the slightest idea about what the programs are or are expected to do. Better you should live in your parents’ basement for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>MPA core courses typically are ‘management’ courses. PA mgt, HR mgt, Public Finance and Budget mgt, City and County mgt, etc. Policy courses are typically electives.</p>
<p>MPP courses focus on policy analysis. Courses such as environmental policy, land use policy, organizational theory, social policy, education policy, etc.</p>
<p>If your son is interested in city/county mgt then the MPA would be the degree. If he is more interested in a policy analyst role with state or federal government then perhaps the MPP. In general, the MPA is more of a professional management track degree. They really are different animals.</p>