Careers in Public Administration
What Can you Do with a Public Administration Degree?
The public administration curriculum at Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA)
prepares students for management and leadership roles across a wide range of careers spanning all levels of government, the nonprofit sector, international organizations, academia, and even the private sector.
Public administration is a critical component of careers in all levels of government (federal, state, and local), nonprofit organizations, and private companies. It focuses on effectively managing and supporting programs that serve the public, such as delivering services to citizens and working with the community, while upholding policy compliance and optimizing the allocation of resources. Public administrators play a vital role in the daily lives of citizens and are an important part of the communities they serve.
Public administration graduates are prepared to lead programs and organizations that deliver essential services and improve community life. They pursue careers across government, nonprofit, and private organizations in roles such as:
- Senior Management, such as executive director, chief executive officer, and operations manager
- Program and Service Delivery, such as program coordinator, project manager, and service manager
- Finance and Budgeting, such as budget analyst and financial manager
- Human Resources and Organizational Development, such as employment manager and HR specialist
- Community Engagement and Public Impact, such as community relations, outreach, and social responsibility roles
Where Can You Find SPAA Alumni?
SPAA alumni hold positions in education, government, nonprofits, public safety, and more. Some examples:
- Business Administrator: Borough of Prospect Park, NJ; Town of Morristown, NJ
- Chief Executive Officer: Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey; Parker Health Group, Inc.
- Commissioner: Bergen County
- Executive Director: Newark Emergency Services for Families; The Family Support Organization of Union County
- Director: Guilford College; Newark Housing Authority; Rutgers University
- Lieutenant: Rutgers University
- Professor/Director: The University of New Mexico
- Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs/Professor: Virginia Commonwealth University
Typical Public Administration Positions and Salaries
More information on positions and salaries can be found here: Rutgers SPAA - Public Admin Careers and Salaries [pdf]
SPAA Graduate Employment Outcomes
The Rutgers SPAA DataBook [pdf] shows employment outcomes of SPAA graduates, including employment by sector and representative lists of employers and job titles.