Public Administration

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA and a BGS, as well as a MA/MUP, a MPA, a MPA/JD, and a PhD degree in public administration on KU's Edwards Campus in Overland Park. The public administration major gives students the knowledge necessary to understand how government programs are initiated and carried out. It emphasizes leadership, exploration of diverse problems in a diverse world, how public policy is made and implemented, and how programs are created and services are delivered.

Public Administration Department website

Sample of Related Skills

• Demonstrate broad understanding of public affairs, policy development, policy analysis, economic analysis, management skills, and organization theory and their applications to public service  
• Explain to stakeholders key public issues both orally and in writing and detail their impact on the public at large  
• Use an ethical framework to analyze an ethical dilemma within the political context of a government institution  
• Distinguish the interactive roles that government organizations play in the business and non-profit sectors in planning and delivering public serves  
• Apply leadership theories and techniques in managing and governing a public organization  
• Define ethical leadership and evaluate its importance in contemporary government and public administration  
• Explain how public policy is formulated and implemented  

Popular Career Paths

Local/State Government: Typically involves working with various departments of state government and can include counties, townships, and school districts.

Federal Government: Typically involves working within various federal departments and agencies.

Non-Profit: Typically involves working with local and national non-profit agencies/foundations and can include charitable organizations, research organizations, and educational institutions.

Private Sector: Can involve working in consulting firms, association management firms and other businesses in a variety of areas including personnel management, budget analysis, and public relations.

International Relations: Involves working with US government agencies and international non-profit organizations to inform and enhance relations between countries through foreign diplomacy, intelligence, policy, and law. 

Jobs to Consider

• Administrative Officer
• Auditor
• Budget/Fiscal Analyst
• City/County Manager
• City Housing Manager
• College Administrator
• Community Development Director
• Community Relations Specialist
• Comptroller
• Contract Negotiator/Compliance Officer
• Diplomat
• Environmental Planner
• Foreign Affairs Specialist
• Public Relations Specialist
• Transportation Commissioner
• Urban and Regional Planner

Places to Seek Employment

• Chambers of Commerce
• Colleges and Universities
• Consulting Firms
• Educational Organizations
• Federal Government Agencies
• International Relief Agencies
• Local Government Departments
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Political Parties
• Public Interest Groups
• Research Institutes & Foundations
• State Government Departments
• Think Tanks
• Trade and Professional Organizations 

Explore More Career Resources

Bureau of Labor Statistics - learn about the career opportunities available with the BLS 

Campus Gov - explore entry level jobs and internships that are available with local, state, or federal government 

Council on Foreign Relations - think tank and publisher that offers jobs, internships, and fellowships in foreign relations 

Foreign Policy Research Institute - non-profit devoted to research and public education on international affairs; includes jobs, internships, and a think tank directory  

GovLoop - social network for government connecting over 30,000 federal, state, and local employees, contractors, and academics 

International City/County Management Association – membership association with job search function and career related information  

Kansas Civil Service Jobs - job board of current employment opportunities with the state of Kansas 

Mid-America Regional Council - job board of current employment opportunities with the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), an association of city and county governments and the metropolitan planning organization for the bistate Kansas City region 

National Academy of Public Administration - various internship and job opportunity postings available at NAPA 

National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) - provides links to job resources, salary information, internship information, and helpful tips on obtaining a job with the federal government 

National Forum for Black Public Administrators - an independent non-profit organization that offers a useful job search function, leadership program, and other career related information 

Non-Profit Connect - full-time, part-time, internship, and volunteer listings with non-profits in the KC-metro area   

Public Service Careers - helpful hints on finding internships in public service, career advice, job listing resources, and salary information (service provided by the American Society for Public Administration) 

State & Local Government Directory - online directory of state and local government websites; search sites for employment information and job listings 

United Nations - explore UN career paths and current job and internship openings; Connect with KU's Model UN group 

US General Accounting Office - job and internship opportunities with the GAO 

Working Abroad Resources - more resources from career.ku.edu