Online Public Policy and Administration Degrees

An absolute commitment to public service and a desire to effect positive change are the primary motivators for pursuing a career in public policy administration. Other personality traits differ depending on one's area of public policy. Those interested in working to change health care laws, for example, need a different skill set than those who want to work with disadvantaged families or coordinate disaster relief efforts.

A public policy administration education teaches the skills necessary to manage an organization and provides the analytical tools to evaluate policy options, develop political strategies, understand the implications of policy choices and conduct and assess research projects.

The field offers so many different career possibilities that choosing an educational path can seem overwhelming. Identifying personal interests can help. Research and analysis is a good choice for detail-oriented individuals, while management and administration may be right for the business-minded and those who lean toward sales might be interested in advocacy. Starting with a general education at the undergraduate level before deciding on a public policy administration specialty to pursue at the graduate level can be an excellent strategy.

Most public policy administration positions require at least a master's degree. Associate and bachelor's degrees, which are rarely considered terminal degrees in the field, can provide an excellent basic foundation for further study.

Unlike some other fields, public policy administration graduate education divides into two distinct career paths--a master's degree, which focuses on preparing for public service careers or a doctoral degree, which most often leads to theoretical research and university level teaching. Many master's degree concentrations are also offered as graduate certificates to those who need expertise in a specific area of public policy administration.

For working mid-career or executive professionals, who comprise a significant number of the students in this field, online degrees in public policy administration provide a convenient and sensible educational choice. Online education also offers students the opportunity to network with a wide spectrum of colleagues and professionals in the field.

Coursework in public policy degree programs ranges from quantitative courses in statistics and economics to qualitative courses in social policy or race, class and gender. At the graduate level, many online degrees in public policy require an internship or individual research project in the student's area of focus. Public policy is a hands-on field that involves working closely with public officials and community members. Online coursework provides a foundation in the principles and theories necessary to help tackle the world's most wicked problems.

• Popular specialties: public health, gerontology, the environment, disaster relief, social welfare
• Typical education requirements: Master's degree, doctoral degree
• Salary range for selected careers: $41,360--mental health and substance abuse counselors; $50,270--health educators; $66,020 urban and regional planner; $99,350--economists (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010)