Certificate in Public Administration

Public administration professionals may perform a variety of tasks such as starting new programs, public safety policies, and managing city budgets. Some of them may be responsible for looking after city bureaucracy.

Public Administration Programs
Public administration programs are offered at undergraduate as well as graduate level. A certificate in public administration may also available. Candidates can choose an area of specialty within these programs. They may work towards a degree or certificate with focus in business, criminal justice, public safety, and more. They can also choose to focus on families and children, mental health or community organization and administration. Other options may include majoring in policy analysis and homeland security policy. The curriculum in these programs may include topics such as organizational behavior, business management, and personnel management. The public administration programs may include workshops and laboratory coursework.

Certificate in Public Administration
Working professionals may pursue a certificate program in public administration to improve their career opportunities and qualify for senior or more rewarding positions. These programs are offered by several traditional and online schools and may require 6 months to one year to complete. These programs provide learners with a shorter route to acquire the essential knowledge and skills required to meet the administrative and management challenges of today’s public sector and nonprofit organizations.

Online Public Administration Programs
Students who would like to earn a degree or certificate in public administration, but cannot attend on-campus classes, may prefer the online option. These programs may be flexible in a lot of ways. Online students may study from the comfort of their homes or any other location that suits them. They may not have to study at fixed schedule as in case of traditional schools. The online degrees can be useful for working professionals who want to earn valuable credentials to improve their career prospects or switch to new careers in the field of public administration.

Admissions Requirements
A high school diploma or its equivalent is required to enroll in a degree in public administration. Candidates may also have to provide letters of recommendations and appear for an interview. Other requirements for admissions may vary by school.

Employment Opportunities
A degree or certificate in public administration may help you find a number of jobs. Graduates can become city planners, teachers or social workers and work in schools, colleges, universities, architectural and engineering firms. They can also look for work in management, scientific, and technical consulting services. According to the BLS, the median annual wage of urban and regional planners was $65, 230 in 2012.

States with the highest employment level in this occupation:

Source: bls.gov