As government and nonprofit agencies grow and become more complex year in and year out, the need for capable, educated, and experienced public management professionals will undoubtedly continue to grow as well.
Career Opportunities with this Degree
Most master’s in public management degree fall under one of two degree types: a master of public management (MPM) or a master of public administration (MPA) are the most common. A third – an MPA or other master’s degree in nonprofit management – has also gained in popularity over the last decade. The typical master’s in public management candidate is seeking the advanced degree with a goal of advancing a career in the public sector, namely state and local government agencies. While education and health professions are not generally included in this grouping, and public management job prospects may vary by state and region, overall employment prospects are expected to be favorable. During the 10-year period leading up to 2018, job growth will come as a result of a heightened demand for local- and state-offered services
Jobs & Salaries with This Degree
Job seekers or those looking for career advancement who have obtained a master’s in public management will most likely be seeking just that – a management position of some sort within the public sector. A wide range of executive and management positions in local and state governments exist today, including city manager or chief administrative offer positions at the top, as well as a litany of director level positions as well. While city managers or other comparable chief administrative offers can expect a median annual salary just shy of $95,000, public works directors, parks and recreation directors, and economic development directors, to name a few, can expect median annual salaries of between $71,000 and $75,000.
Requirements for Earning this Degree
Coursework included in such degree programs includes finance and budgeting for the public sector, human resource management, ethics and social justice, public policy analysis and strategic planning.
