A Public Policy & Administration Degree Program Can Help You Make Government Work

Sometimes, government can be like the weather: everyone complains, but nobody does anything about it. If you want to make a difference in how government works in your community--or on a broader scale--consider a public policy and administration degree program.
Public policy and administration can be thought of as the nuts-and-and-bolts of how government works--how to formulate and implement programs that will deliver on the policies of elected officials. A degree in public policy and administration can help you run for elected office, or work behind the scenes in a department of government. An online degree can make this possibility more accessible than ever.

Online Education and Public Policy & Administration

Careers related to public policy and administration are so varied that there is no one set of educational requirements. For some jobs, such as city managers, a master's degree may be required. At any level, whether elected or appointed, some background in public policy and administration is helpful.
Online degree programs can be especially useful in attaining this kind of qualification. First, online degree programs eliminate some of the inconvenience and expense of attending school on campus. Second, they can make available specialized programs that otherwise might not be offered in your area.

Public Policy & Administration Careers

Careers in public policy and administration can include becoming an elected official or working by appointment managing various departments, public facilities, or entire operational jurisdictions. You can also make a career of working with government from the outside, for example as a lobbyist or advisor.
Equally varied are the types of governments you can serve. While the federal government is most prominent, keep in mind that the numbers are such that state and local governments are actually larger employers. There are 50 state governments employing approximately 2.4 million people, and about 87,500 local governments employing 5.6 million people. This means jobs in public policy and government are varied, plentiful, and probably available in your area.
Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics

Richard Barrington is a freelance writer and novelist who previously spent over twenty years as an investment industry executive.