Masters Degree Vs. PhD In Public Administration: Which Is Right For You?

As long as you are going to pursue more education in public administration then you might as well go all the way and get your PhD. Or should you just go for your masters so that you can complete your schooling sooner and be able to focus exclusively on your real job again? This is the question many public administration students face. Should you get your masters or your PhD?

Do You Have The Time?

Masters and PhD degrees both require time commitments but PhD degrees require a lot more time. How much time do you want to put into earning your advanced degree? Masters degrees tend to take about 2 years to complete while a PhD degree can take anywhere from 5 to 9 years to complete. Ask yourself how much time you really want to put into pursuing more education. An honest answer to this question often tells you which route is the right one for you.

Do You Have The Money?

Because you are going to be in school so much longer pursuing your PhD degree you will also be paying for classes that whole time too. You need to figure out how you will pay for either degree. A masters degree may not be cheap but it is certainly cheaper than a PhD.

Scholarships, grants, and loans will probably all come into the picture at some point for most students so you need to find an arrangement that you are comfortable with. You will be making more money after you graduate so that will help and you will make more with a PhD than with a masters. Still, not everyone wants to struggle to pay school bills for that long or to deal with mountains of debt when they graduate. You can probably find a way to manage either degree but which one is worth it for you?

Are You Committed To This?

If you are planning to pursue an advanced degree then you are probably committed to your schooling. But how committed are you? Are you committed enough to go to school for 2 more years? Or for 5 to 9 more years?

If you love school then you might love the longer time spent there. If you just want a raise then a masters degree may be more your style. Just decide how committed you are to your education and how long you want to be committed for.

Top Online Masters in Public Administration Programs

A public administrator is an unelected public employee, including city managers, cabinet secretaries, police officers, and more. An MPA is the professional degree for individuals seeking to enter public service at a management level. Jobs available upon completion of this degree include policy analyst, budget analyst, HR manager, executive director, and more. Below are the top online colleges that offer master's degrees in public administration.

Master of Public Administration MPA - Law & Public Policy MPA - Nonprofit Management MPA - Health Policy More MPA Degrees...	Walden University . The Master of Public Administration degree program at Walden University has specializations available in Law & Public Policy, Nonprofit Management & Leadership, and Health Policy, Interdisciplinary Policy Studies, Local Government Management, Policy Analysis, Homeland Security Policy, and Terrorism, Mediation & Peace. Professors are both scholars and experienced public sector professionals who contribute both experience and expertise to their lessons in finance, human resources, and enhancing collaboration between sectors.
Master of Public Administration MM in Public Administration	University of Phoenix . The Masters of Public Administration and the Masters in Management with a specialization in Public Administration both teach skills necessary to implement policies, projects and programs in state and local government, as well as how to handle human resources and budget issues. The Masters of Management program focuses on organizing and leading people, in addition to coursework in Public Administration.
Master of Public Administration	Capella University . Capella University's MPA program places the student in a global network of experienced faculty and professional peers while strengthening theoretical and practical knowledge of public administration practices. Students also gain insights from professionals in related fields like public safety and health care.
Masters of Public Administration	University of Southern California . University of Southern California, a respected and accredited college, provides online programs for students who prefer interaction with a community of peers or that have busy schedules. The Masters in Public Administration can be completed at a pace that is comfortable to you and assignments can be turned in at anytime on or before deadlines expire.
Master of Public Administration	Post University . Post University offers a Masters of Public Administration program that can be applied private, public, and even military careers. As a result of working with industry professionals and following current standards and best practices, this program helps students obtain an education they can apply to real-world problems immediately upon graduation. Classes are centered around developing a student's managerial, organizational, financial-planning, and communication skills.
Master of Public Administration	Bellevue University . Bellevue University offers a Master of Public Administration degree online that is geared toward professionals interested in pursuing high level management and administrative positions within public agencies. Graduates of this program will have thorough knowledge of optimal finance, management, and personnel organization for government and other non-profit agencies.
Master of Public Administration MBA in Public Administration	Strayer University . For those who want to enter Public Service at a management level, Strayer University's MPA program, or their MBA in Public Administration program, will give them an advantage in the competition. Academics focus on developing analytical, conceptual and practical abilities that will prepare students to manage public organizations and government offices, or non-profits.
MA in Public Policy & Admin	Northwestern University . Northwestern University's MA in Public Policy & Administration offers areas of specialization in Health Services Policy, Public Policy, Public Safety and Security, and Urban Policy and Administration. Critical thinking skills and data analysis are emphasized in these courses in addition to a practical real-world understanding of how government entities operate.
Master in Political Management	George Washington University . George Washington University is one of the nation’s largest providers of online education and offers several online degrees at every level. Students looking to quickly advance their career goals in Public Administration will be interested in the highly-rated Master in Political Management degree. This degree is also great because at can cut many of the costs associated with campus programs.
Master of Public Administration	Kaplan University . Kaplan's Master in Public Administration is designed to help working administrators improve their leadership skills in public service. Courses teach students how to evaluate, implement and manage policy, as well as ethics, budgeting, and administering public funds with strategic planning.
Master of Public Administration MBA in Public Administration MA/OM - Public Administration MA in Edu. & Public Policy	Ashford University . Ashford University offers many routes to getting a masters degree in Public Administration: Students can get a Master of Public Administration, an MBA in Public Administration, an MA in Organizational Management with a focus on Public Administration, or an MA in Education & Public Policy. All programs provide a broad understanding of the theoretical and practical principles involved with Public Administration, but each specializes in a different aspect, such as Business practices, Education, or Public Policy.
MPA in Govt & Policy MPA in Healthcare Policy	Grand Canyon University . Grand Canyon University's Master of Public Administration degrees prepare students for careers in the public sector. With specializations available in health care management and government & policy, the Master of Public Administration programs are structured to educate students on the foundational and specific skills required for successful careers in the public eye.
MS in Community Leadership	Duquesne University . Duquesne University, one of the leading educators in the country, has an accredited Masters in Community Leadership available through online courses. Online courses can be completed from home, and many of the costs associated with campus programs are cut, making this an affordable option for students. Moreover, the course is excellent for students to quick advance their careers as course are only two year long.
Master of Nonprofit Management	Regis University . Students a Masters of Public Administration degree with real-world applications at an affordable cost will find Regis University’s Masters of Nonprofit Management degree fits their needs. RU works with industry professionals to develop curriculum that reflects today’s current working environment. Students will learn key skills like communication, human interaction and management, and project planning.
MPA in State & Local Govt MPA in Emergency Response MPA in Homeland Security	Argosy University . Argosy University's MPA program has specializations available in State & Local Government, Homeland Security, and Emergency Response. The program develops action-oriented problem-solving skills that help students manage any situation, but also provides insights into evaluation and supervision of employees and effective management of resources.
Master of Public Administration MPA in Nonprofit Organizations MPA in Public Personnel Mgmt	Upper Iowa University . These MPA degrees from Upper Iowa University prepare students for management and leadership positions within the government sector and in nonprofit arena. The curricula include current affairs, concepts, and leadership models utilized and followed within the government and non profit sector. The specializations in nonprofit organizations and public personnel management programs teach communication, critical thinking, analytical, and interdisciplinary skills.
Master of Public Administration MPA in IT MPA in Public Policy MPA in Criminal Justice More MPA Degrees...	South University . The MPA program at South University offers four specializations: Public Policy, Non-Profit Management, Criminal Justice, and Information Technology. Graduates are well prepared for careers in management, administrative, research, or teaching positions. However, the easily accessible online format is built for those who already have careers in the public sector. For justice-minded students, South also offers an MS in Criminal Justice with a focus in Public Administration.