Online Bachelors Degree in Public Administration

An online bachelors degree in public administration program gives students the foundation for jobs in government, planning and other administration sectors.

With a degree in public administration, graduates can pursue careers as public utilities specialists, public relations specialists, program analysts or budget analysts.

Earning a Bachelor in Public Administration Degree Online

Accredited online colleges and universities offer bachelors degree in public administration online for those interested in a public administration career as well as those who want to further their education to a masters degree in public administration or a doctorate degree in public administration.

Colleges that offer Online Bachelors Degrees in Public Administration

Walden University

Online Undergraduate Degrees - Bachelors Degrees in Public Administration

B.S. in Political Science & Public Administration
B.S. in Political Science & Public Administration - Global Issues & Social Justice
B.S. in Political Science & Public Administration - Law & Legal Studies
B.S. in Political Science & Public Administration - Managing in the Public Environment
B.S. in Political Science & Public Administration - Public Service through Civic Engagement
B.S. in Political Science & Public Administration - Social Entrepreneurship

Kaplan University

Online Public Administration Degrees - Bachelor Programs

BS in Political Science
BS in Public Administration and Policy

University of Phoenix

Bachelor Degree in Public Administration Online Program

Bachelor in Business/Public Administration

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Who Should Earn a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration?

If you have a methodical personality, are organized, have good problem solving skills as well as critical thinking skills and are a good communicator, then a bachelors degree in public administration may suit you. A public administration degree does open the door to work alone or be part of a larger team.

Education & Curriculum for a Public Administration Degree

The curriculum for a bachelors public administration degree program provides students with a broad range of skills. Through the course of the program, students take courses relative to government, such as public policy, American government, economics and political science. Courses also cover societal and individual behavior, such as sociology and psychology.

Students also learn about the financial skills relative to creating, managing and maintaining budgets. Public administration degree programs may also include courses like business systems in a sustainable society, managing technology for business strategies and ethics in government; all very relevant coursework for today's public administration students.

Most public administration degrees often provide a focus or specialty for students to pursue based on their interests. Learners may choose to specialize in homeland security policy, law and public policy or simply pursue a general public administration degree. Some public administration degree programs provide a focus in health care. Aside from government employment, health care providers and firms are the second largest employer of professionals who earn public administration degrees.

Career Opportunities and Salaries with a Degree in Public Administration

With a public administration degree, you may work directly for the government, for a health care provider or administrator or work for a private organization. In a health care setting, public administration professionals may administer budgets, manage benefits or handle other administrative tasks that are aligned with their education.

Government employees may work for federal, state or local government in a variety of departments and may deal with policy analysis, city management, director of development, budget analysis or human resources management. Some typical positions that public administration professionals may enjoy are: city manager, economic development director or elected official.

Some public administration employees work in occupational safety coordination for organizations like OSHA. Public administration graduates may also work for private organizations as lobbyists, information specialists or grant writers. Other public admin graduates work as consultants, or form their own freelance firms providing budget analysis, grant writing or in other public administration-related roles. In private firms, public administration graduates may become urban or regional planners, economists, budget analysts or may go into healthcare administration.

The public administration field is projected to grow at a rate of 15 percent over the next decade. Salaries vary based on region, but the median salary for most individuals with a public administration degree is around $60,000. Employees who work for private firms or who have their own firms report a median salary of around $45,000 while public administration graduates who work for the federal government report a median salary of $85,000.