Public Administration

The School of Public Affairs and Administration offers a BA and a BGS, as well as a MA/MUP, a MPA, a MPA/JD, and a PhD degree in public administration. The public administration major prepares students to understand how government programs are initiated and carried out. It emphasizes leadership, exploration of complex problems in a diverse world, how public policy is made and implemented, and how public programs are created and services are delivered. 

SPAA Degrees | School of Public Affairs and Administration

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