If the answer to the question, What is a public administrator? interests you and you’re thinking of pursuing a career in public administration, you may be curious about the typical education pathway. The exact length of time it can take to earn a public administration degree depends on the type of program and the student’s schedule (full or part-time student).
It typically takes undergraduate students about four years of full-time study to earn a bachelor’s degree in public administration. Students should always check the graduation requirements for any degree program they are interested in completing. The degree requirements will likely be broken down into categories of credits. Students will be responsible for earning a certain number of credits in each category.
The general education requirements are intended to teach strong communication and critical thinking skills to students. Major-specific coursework for public administration students is designed to teach the framework of government. Students explore the American Constitution, political theory, public policies and comparative governments.
Lastly, students can choose from a wide selection of electives. It’s a good idea to consult your university counselor before enrolling in an elective. You will want to make sure you are on track to graduate on time. The electives you choose can complement your public administration degree or may simply be aligned with your other personal interests.
Some students decide to enroll in a master’s degree program immediately after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. Others enter the workforce right away, but decide to go back to school to position themselves for possible career advancement.
Just like a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in public administration has requirements you must meet in order to graduate. Always check these degree requirements before enrolling in a program. Unlike a bachelor’s degree program, master’s degrees only have a bare minimum of general education requirements. You might take an introductory course designed to prepare you for graduate-level work. However, this may be the only course you will need to take that is not specific to your degree.
You can prepare to pursue a career in public administration at Grand Canyon University. Explore all options for public administration degree programs at GCU, including the Master of Public Administration (MPA) with an Emphasis in Government and Policy, which covers topics such as human capital, public budgeting, and public and nonprofit administration. Complete the form on this page to learn about earning your degree at GCU.
1 Henderson, N. (1984, July 13). N.Y. is the first state to get seat belt law. The Washington Post. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Health Services Managers, retrieved on September 12, 2023.
3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers, retrieved on September 12, 2023.
4 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Administrative Services and Facilities Managers, retrieved on September 12, 2023.