Postgraduate (MSc & MA) Programmes in Public Administration
Click on one of the subjects below to access our comprehensive database of European institutions that offer Public Administration related MA and MSc programmes taught in the English language:
In most countries, especially developed ones, government is by far the largest employer, with at least one-third of the workforce working for some level of government. Despite this, in many countries a host of services once provided by government are now being handled (if at all) by non-profit/not-for-profit organisations. In fact, the role of non-profit/not-for-profit organisations in both the formulation and delivery of public services has expanded. So, too, has the role of private sector organisations – via consulting, contracted service delivery, partnerships, and so on – in assisting governmental and non-profit/not-for-profit organisations. (External consultants, for instance, provide multiple services to government agencies, ranging from the auditing of programmes to the analysis and design of administrative systems.) As a result, the master’s in public administration degree is by no means limited, as it once was, to current or future government employees.
Trends
Numerous substantial trends continue to drive this field, including (for government):
• changing demographics (especially the ageing of the population)
• globalised competition
• spread of new information technologies, with consequent increases in citizen awareness and demands
• increased labour mobility
• increased fear of global epidemics
• political backlash against taxes.
For non-profit/not-for-profit organisations:
• government retrenchment; programmes scaled back due to financial pressures
• awareness of problems (due to internationalisation of news coverage)
• increased wealth being funnelled to non-profits/not-for-profits
• new awareness of what non-profits/not-for-profits can do, based upon learning what non-profits/not-for-profits elsewhere are doing.
These lists could have been multiplied, particularly the one for trends affecting government.
Choosing a master’s programme
Many public administration programmes are one year in length, but a substantial number last for two years. The differences, moreover, extend beyond their lengths. Some are resolutely domestic in focus; others (such as Italy’s Bocconi), international. Some train students largely to work in government, others, in non-profits/not-for-profits. Some have a functional focus, offering tracks in budgeting and finance, for instance, whereas others focus on governmental units (local administration, for instance) or industries (such as healthcare). In addition, some focus on administration whereas others focus on policy (although the latter are more commonly called master’s of public policy programmes.) The result is that students are potentially spoiled for choice.
On top of this sort of breadth, many schools offer two programmes, one for those with limited or no experience and one for those with substantial experience.
Increasingly, programmes offer the chance to do an international exchange programme. The London School of Economics, for example, exchanges with three foreign programmes: Columbia (US), Sciences Po (France), and Hertie (Germany).
Prerequisites
Some programmes require at least several years of experience. Of those that do not, many require relevant coursework in social science or managerial fields (especially statistics and economics) and/or completing an internship during the programme.
Many programmes also look for:
• demonstrated commitment to the public or non-profit/not-for-profit sector
• a desire to take on leadership positions in public service
• internships in organisations, whether public or private, to learn about organisational dynamics.
Careers
Both governmental and non-profit/not-for-profit organisations increasingly employ both business methods, adapted from the for-profit sector, and people with business training. Nonetheless, they still attract people who are committed to trying to solve social problems. (Given that they generally pay substantially less than for-profit businesses, people motivated largely by financial rewards are unlikely to flock to them.) Non-profits/not-for-profits, for instance, still look for those with an interest and skill set in traditional fields such as fundraising, lobbying, and programme development. Now, however, they increasingly look for sophisticated marketers, budget analysts, and entrepreneurs, people once found largely in the private sector.
Typical job titles
Government
• Consultant for community planning and development
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Find the perfect programme |
• Policy advisor
• Economic consultant
• Programme manager
• Public affairs specialist
• Community development organiser
• Research associate
• Public health advocate
• Budget analyst
Non-profit/not-for-profit
• Communications manager
• Programme assistant
• Event co-ordinator
• Development manager
• Fund-raising associate
• Manager of volunteers
• Press secretary
• Lobbyist
Professional associations (UK and US)
• Office for Public Management (UK)
• Local Government Association (UK)
• Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (UK)
• American Society for Public Administration
• National Academy of Public Administration (US)
Introductory readings
Public sector management
Chris Hakes and Debbie Reed, Organisational Self Assessment: For Public Sector Excellence (Bristol Quality Centre), considers the applicability of business techniques to public-sector management. More in-depth treatments of key functions include Philip Kotler and Nancy Lee, Marketing in the Public Sector: A Roadmap for Improved Performance (Wharton School Publishing), and Dennis M Daley, Strategic Human Resource Management: People and Performance Management in the Public Sector (Prentice Hall).
Non-profit/not-for-profit management
Those with substantial understanding of for-profit management might wish to consult Peter F Drucker, Managing the Non-Profit Organization: Principles and Practices (HarperCollins Publishers), which provides a very brief but insightful overview of non-profit/not-for-profit management. Those looking for a fuller treatment of key issues in non-profit/not-for-profit management should consider Sharon M Oster, Strategic Management for Nonprofit Organizations: Theory and Cases (Oxford University Press), and Alan R Andreasen and Philip Kotler, Strategic Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations (Prentice Hall).
Closely related fields
Both public administration and non-profit/not-for-profit management benefit from the application of the various management disciplines. See the discussions of whatever fields are of particular interest for further information.
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