Start Your Political Career With a Master of Public Administration

With the public administration industry employing more than seven million people in America, pursuing a career in this sector is a promising frontier. For those interested in becoming a politician, research analyst, city manager, or administrative director, earning a master's degree in public administration can help put you above the competition. Learn more about how earning a Master of Public Administration at The Tulane School of Professional Advancement (Tulane SoPA) can lead to a variety of job opportunities.

Master of Public Administration

Curriculum

Tulane SoPA's Master of Public Administration (MPA) curriculum offers a broad range of targeted courses in policy analysis and public administration. Through completion, students acquire essential knowledge and skills to assist them in working effectively with real-world clients. The MPA curriculum allows students to:

• Identify, contrast, and communicate foundational issues and concepts in public affairs
• Understand the Constitution and practice public administration legally and constitutionally
• Grasp economics and policy analysis foundations to offer public services and make informed decisions
• Combine practice and theory successfully to handle complicated organizational issues
• Perform human resource management in the public and non-profit sectors
• Develop cutting-edge leadership skills and comprehend leadership theory
• Use project management concepts to boost non-profit and public sectors
• Use quantitative and data methods to evaluate public programs, conduct analyses, and solve problems

Difficulty

While everyone learns differently, undertaking an MPA degree requires commitment and dedication. MPA students should expect to prioritize time management and remain adaptable to course objectives to ensure proper learning. For students who work full-time, scheduling time blocks for coursework is especially crucial for success in the program.

Tuition & fees

Information on SoPA's graduate tuition and fees can be found here. Some courses may require students to pay fees for technical support; if so, the list of fees can be found on the schedule of classes.

Funding your MPA

External funding options exist for those pursuing an MPA. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, roughly 58% of graduate students receive some sort of financial aid to assist with the costs of their graduate program. Whether funding is acquired through a grant or a loan, prospective students should inquire about any available options.

Working in the Public Sector

Federal government

Workers in the federal government tackle national importance issues, including government accountability, public health & safety, environmental protection, and national defense. Other primary duties include tax & budgeting, transportation, international affairs, border security, and more.

State and local government

Employees in state government handle operations and programs impacting districts, cities, and towns throughout their state. Roles may include economic & community development, conducting elections, ratifying amendments, and supporting the public health of their citizens.

At the local government level, employees handle issues and oversee departments, including county/city management, strategic planning, community relations, budgeting & finance, and policy analysis.

Leave a meaningful impact on your community

If you have the desire to change your community for the better, earning an MPA is essential to kickstart your career. The curriculum allows you to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for providing reliable public services that impact many lives, whether you work for a profit or non-profit organization.

Careers in Government

Policy analyst

A policy analyst can work for the government or a large organization to help in policy planning and development. They evaluate current policies and gather/examine data to assist with creating policies or modifications if necessary. A policy analyst performs a range of tasks, including:

• Reviewing current policies and analyzing them to spot redundancies and anomalies
• Researching political, industrial, economic, and social trends
• Creating policy options and advising on the appropriate option
• Analyzing data and preparing reports & surveys for stakeholder updates
• Examining the possible proposed policy impacts
• Preparing and maintaining procedure manuals and policies
• Advising managers and politicians on lobbying activities

Political scientist

Political scientists study government theory and structure to discover theoretical, practical, and political problems. Mostly, current studies focus on tangible issues such as immigration, foreign relations, political elections & campaigns, and welfare reform. A professional political scientist can also become a teacher at colleges and universities.

Foreign service officer

A foreign service officer’s work involves collaborating with foreign countries to support prosperity and protect each country's citizens. Those in this role need to be passionate about representing their country worldwide and interacting with people from different cultures.

Politician

A politician's role includes proposing, supporting, rejecting, and creating laws that govern federal, state, or local lands. An MPA allows students to acquire proper leadership skills that are critical in political leadership, such as confidence, humility, empathy, transparency, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

How a Master of Public Administration Can Lead to Politics

Learn about policy

In politics, individuals with a proper understanding of the government's current policies are at an advantage. With extensive knowledge in government policy, prospective politicians can anticipate the needs of the people they govern and design aligning policies.

Learn about political philosophy

The modern-day politician needs to understand concepts that shape today’s politics. Such political science concepts may include justice, democracy, individuality, equality, and freedom.

Make connections

Networking is critical for all career paths and can determine a student's success in the field. By pursuing an MPA, students can share their aspirations with like-minded individuals and expand their professional network.

Become a leader

To become an effective leader, students must learn proper political leadership fundamentals. While earning an MPA, students learn about management, public policy, politics, and law. By gaining knowledge of these subjects, students become equipped with valuable skills necessary to be successful political leaders.

Master of Public Administration at Tulane SoPA

Granting a range of career options, earning an MPA can propel your career forward and allow you to give back to your community. If you're looking to take control of your career path in public administration, start your application today and enroll in SoPA's MPA program.