2021 Public Administration & Social Service Degree Guide
Do you want to make a difference in people's lives? Pursuing a major in the field of Public Administration and Social Service will prepare you for a fulfilling career of bringing help and hope to those that need it the most.
This major comes with a lot of responsibility, but also a great opportunity to help improve the lives of others. You will learn how to analyze, manage, and deliver public programs and services for the greater good of the community. Many of these programs will be centered on youth, teens, and family services.
Public Administration and Social Service is an interdisciplinary field. Be ready to dive into course work that includes classes on public policy, human behavior, psychology, communication, financial management and community development. No matter what direction you decide to go into upon graduation, your main responsibility will be to bring positive social change to local communities.
One of the majors available in this field is Community Organization and Advocacy, which involves the study of strategies to challenge and change the current community social system for the enrichment of its residents. Another field is Public Administration, where you will be prepared to run the executive arm of local, state, and federal government and learn how to create policies that will bring about positive change. A major in Public Policy Analysis allows you to study public policy decisions in order to be able to influence how those decisions are made. Another option is a major in Social Work that will prepare you for a career implementing programs to improve the overall quality of life for a variety of vulnerable populations.
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Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Growing in Popularity
Public Administration & Social Service was the 14th most popular major in the 2018-2019 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 93,881 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 1.6% increase in public administration and social service degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 92,375.
There are 1,128 schools offering degrees in public administration and social service in the United States. Our 2021 Best Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service ranking analyzes 341 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for public administration and social service students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of public administration and social service programs later in this article.
What Are The Requirements For a Degree in Public Administration & Social Service
A career in Public Administration and Social Services demands that you have great interpersonal skills. You need to be able to build the trust of your clients as you help empower them. Building and maintaining professional relationships will lead to your success. Practice empathy and active listening in order to deliver the best service possible to your client.
Much of your undergraduate work will involve team collaboration on group projects. Learn how to effectively communicate with others in a creative and clear manner. You will also need to develop problem solving skills and gain an advanced knowledge of government policy.
Prior Education for a Public Administration & Social Service Program
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most public administration and social service degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific public administration and social service careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Public Administration & Social Service Degree Types
There are many different public administration and social service degree levels. You can get anything from a in public administration and social service to the highest public administration and social service degree, a . The type of public administration and social service degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to public administration and social service, with approximately 34.9% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to public administration and social service tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 35.5% |
| Master’s Degree | 21.8% |
| Doctoral Degree | 13.9% |
| High School Diploma | 8.9% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.8% |
About 82.5% of workers in careers related to public administration and social service obtain at least bachelor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in public administration and social service have received.
This of course varies depending on which public administration and social service career you choose.
Public Administration & Social Service Careers
Graduates in this field can find work as community organizers, social workers, grant writers, or program directors. Some of these career choices will require a master's degree or more. No matter what direction you choose to go into, you will make significant social change in the community around you.
<Solid Growth Projected for Public Administration & Social Service Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your public administration and social service degree? Public Administration & Social Service careers are expected to grow 10.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to public administration and social service.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | 2,468,300 | 9.1% |
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | 453,600 | 16.4% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 424,300 | 20.5% |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 362,600 | 14.2% |
How Much Money Do People With a Public Administration & Social Service Degree Make?
Public Administration & Social Service graduates between 2015-2017 reported earning an average of $39,126 in the 2017-2018 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $7,100 to as high as $138,400. As you might expect, salaries for public administration and social service graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Highest Paid Public Administration & Social Service Careers
Salaries for public administration and social service graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top 5 highest paying careers public administration and social service grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Chief Executives | $200,140 |
| General and Operations Managers | $123,880 |
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Political Scientists | $115,300 |
Getting Your Public Administration & Social Service Degree
With over 2,999 different public administration and social service degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased public administration and social service school rankings to help you with this.
Top Ranking Lists for Public Administration & Social Service
Best Colleges
Public Administration & Social Service
Highest Paid Graduates
Public Administration & Social Service
Most Popular Colleges
Public Administration & Social Service
Best for Non-Traditional Students
Public Administration & Social Service
Best for Veterans
Public Administration & Social Service
Majors Related to Public Administration & Social Service
Public Administration & Social Service Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 56,271 |
| Public Administration | 16,342 |
| Human Services | 12,175 |
| Public Policy | 5,762 |
| Community Organization & Advocacy | 2,611 |
View All Public Administration & Social Service Related Majors >
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement & Firefighting | 106,583 |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies | 69,376 |
| Legal Professions | 54,849 |
| Military Technologies & Applied Sciences | 2,638 |
View All Public Administration & Social Service Related Majors >
References
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Featured Public Administration Schools
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Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More > |
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Purdue University
Building on Purdue’s mission to provide greater access to affordable, world-class education, Purdue University Global delivers a fully personalized online experience that’s tailored to working adults. By opening the doors to adults who need flexibility to fit learning into their busy lives, we make it possible to achieve a high-quality education from the prestigious Purdue University system—completely online ... Learn More > |
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Grand Canyon University (GCU)
With a spotlight on intellectual creativity and innovation for the 21stcentury, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at GCU provides a job focused education. It blends the study of traditional humanities in a modern context. Through academic inquiry and beyond the box thinking, the college advances our society and its accomplishments ... Learn More > |
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Northcentral University
Northcentral University (NCU) was founded to provide accessible, high-quality, online graduate degrees to working professionals. As a regionally accredited, online university, NCU serves students worldwide, focusing on Doctoral and Master's degree programs in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, Psychology, and Marriage and Family Sciences ... Learn More > |
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Colorado Technical University (CTU)
CTU could help you connect to what matters most: a powerful professional community, aculty who are real-world professionals, and innovative technology ... Learn More > |
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