An education in public affairs leads to an MPA and to a world of opportunity

The world of public affairs is as big as the world itself. It offers compelling careers in the nonprofit sector, with international organizations, consulting firms and government at all levels.

The increasingly demanding public sector needs the best, brightest and boldest professionals. A master’s degree in public administration helps you develop sophisticated judgment and well-honed management skills which are in demand the world over.

CHALLENGING TIMES NEEDS SKILLED LEADERS
Public leadership, competent skills, and sturdy ethics are needed as never before. That’s why it’s so vital to have skilled public leaders, smart managers and highly trained staff at all levels of public life.

In times of crisis people look towards their public servants for solutions. Public sector decision makers find themselves on the front- line in situations that demand rapid response among swirling possibilities, conflicting advice and multiple objectives.

LIFE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Lifestyle issues are also persuasive: reasonable hours, good benefits and the satisfaction of working for the public good. Overall we find MPA graduates receive the following:

-More diverse set of career options
-Greater stability in employment
-A nicer quality of life

Salaries are competitive, especially for people with cutting edge skills.

MPA vs. MBA
The private sector has its advantages, but tens of thousands of students have chosen to earn an MPA because they want to make a true difference in the work world. An MPA degree lets you find fulfilling professional careers in the U.S. and abroad. In many ways, it’s the best of all worlds. An MPA is a true ‘generalist’ degree, which also lets you specialize in a given area of expertise.

It provides you with public management tools and helps you navigate into and out of different careers and job opportunities.

NASPAA AND ITS 250 U.S. MEMBER GRADUATE SCHOOLS:
The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration represents 250 member graduate schools that produce skilled public leaders, smart capable managers and highly trained staff at all levels of public life. Each school has their own area of specialty and study.

DEGREES
You choose which master degree is best for you:

       -MPA (Master in Public Administration)
       -MPP (Master in Public Policy)
       -MPA (Master in Public Affairs)

SPECIALIZATIONS:
And choose an area of specialization. These are just some:

• Environment
• Nonprofit Sector
• Health & Education
• Budgeting & Finance
• Economic Development
• Criminal Justice & Security
• Public Management & Policy
• Organizational Management
• Science, Technology, & Information
• International Development & Public Affairs

RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED NATIONS
The United Nations recognizes "the important role played by public administration with respect to planning and provision of public services and the positive contribution it can make to the creation of an enabling environment to promote sustainable development,".
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY –June 2005

For more info and to find a school go to: www.NASPAA.org

(And then click on the map of U.S. to find a school & program)

NASPAA: Our mission is to improve the quality of higher education for Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP) degrees & related Ph.D programs. Public service that’s smart.