The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA and a BGS degree in public administration on KU's Edwards Campus in Overland Park. The public administration major gives students the knowledge necessary to understand how government programs are initiated and carried out. It emphasizes leadership, exploration of diverse problems in a diverse world, how public policy is made and implemented, and how programs are created and services are delivered.
Public Administration Department website
Sample Career Paths in Public Administration
Local/State Government: Typically involves working with various departments of state government and can include counties, townships, and school districts.
Federal Government: Typically involves working within various federal departments and agencies.
Non-Profit: Typically involves working with local and national non-profit agencies/foundations and can include charitable organizations, research organizations, and educational institutions.
Private Sector: Can involve working in consulting firms, association management firms and other businesses in a variety of areas including personnel management, budget analysis, and public relations.
International Relations: Involves working with US government agencies and international non-profit
organizations to inform and enhance relations between countries through
foreign diplomacy, intelligence, policy, and law.
Possible Employers in Public Administration
- Chambers of Commerce
- Colleges and Universities
-
Consulting Firms
- Educational Organizations
- Federal Government Agencies, including: Departments of Commerce, Defense, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Health and Human Services, Labor, and Justice, General Services Administration. Office of Personnel Management, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- International Relief Agencies
- Local Government Departments, including: city management offices, financial administration, budget offices, social services, urban planning
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Political Parties
- Public Interest Groups
- Research Institutes and Foundations
- State Government Departments, including: legislative agencies, state supreme courts, state representatives/legislators
- Think Tanks
- Trade and Professional Organizations
Possible Job Titles in Public Administration
- Administrative Officer
- Auditor
- Budget/Fiscal Analyst
- City/County Manager
- City Housing Manager
- College Administrator
- Community Development Director
- Community Relations Specialist
- Comptroller
- Contract Negotiator/Compliance Officer
- Diplomat
- Employee Development Director
- Environmental Planner
- Financial Examiner
- Fiscal Analyst
- Foreign Affairs Specialist
- Grants Specialist
- Human Resource Manager
- International Relations Specialist
- Labor Management Specialist
- Legislative Aide
- Lobbyist
- Mayor/Politician
- Non-Profit Agency Director
- Ombudsman
- Personnel Management Specialist
- Policy Analyst
- Political Consultant
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Public Health Administrator
- Public Relations Specialist
- Public Utilities Manager
- Transportation Commissioner
- Urban and Regional Planner
Strategies for Finding Employment in Public Administration
- Identify specific areas of interest within public administration, such as federal/state/local government, politics, non-profit, international relations, etc. so you can focus your academics and experiences towards these fields.
- Gain direct experience within the areas that interest you most through research projects, internships, part-time jobs, student organization involvement, or volunteering.
- Set up email alerts through KU Career Connections and join the Internship Listserv to receive automated weekly emails (see sample) with industry specific internship information.
- Consider joining a professional organization related to your area of interest in public administration, and, if possible, attend local and/or regional conferences to make connections with professionals working in your field.
- Become familiar with the required professional qualifications associated
with careers that interest you (i.e., advanced degrees, licensure,
and/or certifications).
- Earn a minor or take additional coursework outside your major when relevant.
- Maintain a strong GPA if you are considering pursuing graduate or professional school.
- Consider getting involved with a student organization at KU related to your area of interest such as the Graduate Students of Public Administration.
The quick link for this page is: KUCareerHawk.com/PublicAdministration