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Public Administration & Government

Managers don’t just work for businesses. Local, state, and federal agencies need good people to run them, too. An education in public administration gives you a foundation in administration, as well as specialized coursework in the problems and practices of public service organizations. Some topics you’ll learn about are public policy formulation, program development, and public finance.

At 27%, the federal government employs an especially high proportion of management, business, and financial workers. They include legislators, heads of agencies and programs, and middle managers. At the state and local level, administrators run departments that provide public safety, education, recreation, public health services, public works, and human services. Elected officials and other top executives like city managers and chief financial officers play critical roles in public affairs.

People who work for the public good take great pride in their work. You won’t make the sky-high salaries of some executives in private business, but government benefits generally exceed those in the for-profit world.