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

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