r/PublicAdministration

I got into USC’s MPA program and will need to pay about $45,000 after financial aid. I am considering withdrawing from the program and instead reapply the following year at CSUN or CSULB (two local programs) since they are much more affordable. I would like to pivot into govt work or foundations after working for CBOs for several years. I’m just not fully convinced that the cost is worth it. CSULB’s website did not have very much information about their program and didn’t have an admitted students day, which is why I didn’t seriously consider it at first. Has anyone here had a similar experience?

Editing to add that I’m also interesting in hearing from folks who did the USC (or another pricey) program and don’t feel like it paid off. At admitted students day, I got to hear from grads who definitely felt like it paid off but USC is obviously not gonna invite the displeased!

If you're a professor at a public university in Canada, or if you're an administrator (i.e: Academic Advisor, Registrar, Desk Help, etc) at a university, are you considered a fully public employee? My guess would be yes, as your salary is paid via public tax dollars and student tuition, and the salaries are also publicly disclosed, as they would be for any other public employee making over a certain threshold. But I want to understand if there is any further clarification or some red tape that makes individuals working at universities in Canada not public employees.

Secondly, as a soon to graduate student, it's so frustrating how slow administrative progress has been. Literally, any change the students have wanted, whether it be towards academic policies, guidelines, budgets, tuition reforms, etc, has taken at least 1 year to get to the ears of senior leadership and then another year or so to be implemented, and that too not as originally requested, rather a half-ass solution so they can act as if student concerns really matter (when all we really are, are just numbers). And then they have the audacity to say that: "The youth are our future".

And why are the salaries for university leaders so high. Deans, Vice-Presidents, Vice-Deans, Associate Deans, Presidents, etc, for all the major universities in our country are getting paid well in excess of $300k. Many university president's are getting paid in excess of $500k, which as a student, I think is outrageous. That's more than the PM and the Premiers who lead our country and provinces. Many students can barely afford tuition, are having to skip on meals, etc, and this is what these people are getting paid. Also the same people who claim to care for their student's well-being and mental health, and also say that: "The youth are our future", yeah, my ass, if that's how you treat us, take a fat paycheck, hinder progress, and upkeep the bureaucracy on our campus, you can't say that.

Hello fellow PA workers! I was able to secure a position as an Economic Development Analyst, and I couldn’t be any happier!

I want to shout out DavefromCA as his advice was exactly helped me on my final interview. Thank you and I look forward to this opportunity

Yall, pls like which field is better at Nust, Bs psychology or Bs public administration.
If any senior or graduates could help me out a bit, since I’m very confused between these two fields.
I don’t wanna end up unemployed, also I wanna know the benefits of just the bs degrees.
Also about public administration, CSS k elawa aur kya options hain? And can i do mba after bs pba.

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I’m currently working on my MPA thesis and I’m considering studying the utilization of social media during the flood crisis response.

The idea is to examine how LGUs use platforms like Facebook during flooding for things like disaster warnings, evacuation information, relief updates, coordination, and public communication.

Do you think this would be a good and relevant topic for an MPA thesis? Or would it be too broad/common?

I’d also appreciate suggestions on how I could narrow the topic and make it more focused on public administration, local governance, or disaster response.

What do you guys think?

Civil Engineer in South Carolina, I'm currently a Project manager and looking to advance my career in my agency. I have been looking at getting a masters in public Administration. I'm not necessarily looking for the cheapest program, i'm also looking for a decent online program structured towards working professionals. my agency does not have a tuition reimbursement program. looking for suggestions, to advance with a masters in public administration.

As the title says, I'm a 16 year old who is looking to work in public administration or similar fields when I'm an adult. I really want to find any internships in my area that could help give me the experience needed to pursue this as soon as I possibly can. But the problem is there are no positions for 16 year olds that are relevant. Every time I find any internship it's always only for 18 year olds or it's a post from like 10 years ago that has since closed. I've checked with my city, every city near me, I even checked with my county. No open positions that I've found are available for 16 year olds. It sucks because if I'm not able to find something I'll have to work a regular job which will be useless since it doesn't allign with anything I want to do after high-school. If there's anybody who is an adult now and experienced this struggle when they were around my age it'd be a great help if you had suggestions for what else I could be doing that will give me anything of importance when I apply for local government or public administration jobs when I'm an adult.

Hello,

Is an MPA is worth getting and not a waste of time? I am currently in the Air National Guard and for my state, they allow us to get tuiton free at any public school within the state.

Originally, I was going to get an MBA, but was advised to hold off, by the MBA sub-reddit, and wait until I have more job experience and willingness to go and commit to an in person school. In the meantime, i'm thinking about getting an MPA for a couple of reasons:

1. I am in Public Affairs for the military and I belive that being a PA and getting an MPA will help me get a job outside the military ( i.e fed government or state government )

2. As mentioned before, I would like to get an MBA ( as means to transition out of government work maybe? ) but I lack post undergrad experience, which is true. I am hoping this would bridge the two in the future.

3. It is tuiton free, why not.

I have one semester left of undergrad and then ill take a short break before, hopefully, picking it back up in the fall semester of 2027. Still deciding on online v.s. in-person so I can decied a school near me. Any advice is welcome. Thank you!

Hi! I’ve been looking at M.P.A. programs and am curious to hear opinions/pros+cons of doing an in person or online program.

For context, I graduated from undergrad… ten years ago (it goes by fast!) and have only ever taken in person classes. I value making in person connections and being able to ask questions as I have them. However, now that I’m older and have a full time job, I appreciate the flexibility online programs offer. I’m in Ohio, if that makes a difference.

Is there a difference of quality between in person and online programs? Are there any tips for online learning that you care to share?

TIA!

I feel like everything has happened so quickly. About 5 months ago I was really unhappy with where I was at in life. I graduated with my BA in history in 2023, my original plan was to be a history teacher but I came to the realization teaching wasn’t for me.

After college I moved to a new state with a couple of friends and worked some really low paying jobs. Eventually I found a job I really enjoyed, working as a nature/historic tour guide. I love what I did, I loved the people I worked with, and I especially liked the tips. But over the past 2 years tourism has been declining and tips have dried out. I left the job I loved due to management being made up entirely of nepo babies, no room for me to move up in the company.

I switched to a new company and although the pay is better, tips are much less and I am even more unhappy. Sooo I decided to apply for grad school.

I’ve always wanted to make a difference in life, do something that felt meaningful, and after seeing the way my former company managed the historic site I worked at it made me want to continue to work towards preserving the beauty and deep and complex history of these locations.

So I started looking at Public administration programs. I applied for grad school in June, got accepted in July, and I start class next week. An MPA would help me work towards my ultimate goal.. nonprofit fundraising at a historical/conservational site. In January they’ll even offer an MPA with an emphasis in nonprofits.

Now here’s where I need advice, I haven’t been in college for the past 3 years. I’m a full time employee and I’ll be a full time student. I’m worried I will fall behind or struggle managing a solid work life balance. I want to still be able to make time for my friends and my boyfriend.

In terms of a career, I don’t have much experience besides working as a tour guide for the past 2 and a half years. Meanwhile most people in this MPA program has held office jobs, working in local government, experience interning in positions that helped prepare them for the MPA program. I feel novice compared to a lot of other people. How can I better prepare for what’s to come? I’m very excited but also extremely nervous for this next chapter in my life. I’d really appreciate any advice yall have, especially if you’ve been in a similar position. How did you get through it? How did you manage your time? What was the hardest part?

Hey All, I am reaching out because I just need some general guidance and direction. Resources are thin.

I am seeking a BA in Poli.Sci-Public Administration… what I am wondering is, to what extent is this degree “flexible” ? Generally, I would like to be employed by my city when I graduate. Management/Policy Analyst/Clerk/Non-Profit + Program Manager/ etc ..

Education and Teaching have always been my dream, but I am too young to know if that is really what I want to do forever. If it feels right, I kind of planned on taking a history minor and then applying to my University’s College of Ed. for a Teaching Cert. (after)

I assure you the program + courses are of complete interest and this is the degree I want… I am just trying to ensure I am not screwing myself over long term should an alternative passion arise. Thank You

For context, I graduated undergrad from a top 20 and I've been accepted to NYU for the MPA program, but I'd end up paying around 90K out of pocket. I have also gotten into a few other schools that are significantly cheaper (PACE, Northeastern, George Washington University). Does the prestige of the institution impact how recruiters view your application? Or is it more so that fact that I'll have the degree which matters more than where I got it?

Greetings,

I just signed up for admission for A- state. and have a few question for those who graduated recently from the Online MPA program.

1. Is a webcam required?
2. How is the difficulty?
3. what the deal with BioSig-ID?
4. Correct to assume that you just pick your classes via Pack Portal and then it shows up on Canvas?
5. Is it alot of writing? or discussion based? What is the lengh of the average paper?
6. How are the professor? Responsive?

Please share any and all experiences you may have?

Thank You!

I’m in a sort of(?) unique spot in my career. I moved to DC after college (originally from Chicago area) and have been here for 7.5 years. I’ve worked at the same place for most of that time: a small law firm specializing in international trade litigation. I eventually became the policy director, handling clients policy needs outside of our litigation. I’m a registered lobbyist for one of our clients. I have experience with trade, appropriations, food safety, consumer protection, natural resources, and some finance / DoD procurement policy.

I am desperately trying to leave DC and move back to Chicago. I’ve been searching all the job sites, even the ones tailored to careers in government or tangentially related in the private sector. I have my MPA but really do not want to move into a public service role at this point — does anyone have any insight at all of what kinds of positions I can pursue with my background?

I know Chicago is not the #1 place to be when it comes to government relations and I know I already live in the epicenter of it all but DC is sucking my soul out of my body.

Hello! I've been reading everything I can on Reddit and elsewhere about A-State U MPA. I'm curious if anyone can share their experience with the workload? From what I can find, it seems like folks have had a generally positive experience. I am just thinking about full-time coursework while working full time and trying to see what that looks like. If its 15-20 page paper per course per week, it might be a little much. TIA!

Hello everyone recently graduated from Mizzou with the aforementioned degrees and have been having trouble finding a job. I’m posting on here because I feel like I’m hitting my head against a wall and looking for advice and for any direction in my job search. I have applied to many jobs through LinkedIn and handshake, but I was wondering tif there were any firms or businesses I should be looking at to give myself a better chance. I know this post may seem broad and for that I apologize id be open to more of a conversation through dm or anything.