What is Public Administration?

Serving the Public Good

Public administration is a field of study and a profession for individuals who wish to engage in meaningful public service, which, broadly defined, includes employees of government and not-for-profit organizations, elected officials, members of boards, community activists, volunteers, and philanthropists, among others.

What Can you Do with a Degree in Public Administration?

Public administrators and managers work in public sector departments and agencies at all levels of government (local, state, and federal) and nonprofit organizations in a wide range of service and interest areas, including administration and management, budgeting, education, and social and community services.

See Careers & Internships for more information.

Rutgers SPAA: Where Service Meets Leadership

Rutgers SPAA degree and certificate programs provide students with the substantive knowledge, analytical skills, and perspectives needed to respond effectively and fairly to major contemporary social problems as they relate to the public sector.

See A cademics for more information.

How SPAA Alumni Serve

SPAA alumni hold positions in education, government, nonprofits, public safety, and more. Read our Alumni Stories to see what some our alumni do with their public administration degrees from Rutgers SPAA and find out what "Public Administration is..." to them.

"The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is the professional degree for students seeking a career in public service or nonprofit management. MPA programs develop the skills and techniques used by managers to implement policies, projects, and programs that resolve important problems within their organization and in society."
- Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)