by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you seek a career that serves the public good, consider majoring in Public Administration and Social Service Professions. This major comes with a lot of responsibility, but also a great opportunity to implement positive change in the lives of individuals and communities.
The curriculum involves a hybrid of classes from the following coursework: Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Work, and Youth Services. You will learn topics such as drug and alcohol counseling, community development, psychology, leadership, financial management, and policy and development. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to analyze, manage, and deliver public programs and services for the greater good of the community. These programs can focus on youth, teens, and family services, healthcare, or mental illness.
Other Public Administration was the 279th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 721 degrees in this year alone. Our 2025 Best Other Public Administration Schools ranking analyzes 9 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for other public administration students. Explore this or one of our many other custom other public admin rankings further below.
There is a lot of work to be done in the field of public service. Not a lot of it is glamorous, but it can be a very rewarding career. A passion to serve the community will allow you to thrive in this field. You will work with diverse populations including many people who suffer from mental illness, abuse or personal hardship. Empathy, patience and kindness go a long way.
A solid understanding of government policies and knack for fundraising will help you succeed. More importantly, you will need to have great social skills. You must be able to build trust with your clients and communicate with a variety of professionals to help solve individual problems as well as develop public policy.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most other public admin degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic other public administration program qualifications, to serve in some other public admin careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Other Public Admin degree levels vary. Other Public Administration programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest other public admin degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a other public admin degree varies depending on the program.
| 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 |
Those working in this field are committed to making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. Public Administration and Social Service professionals work in a variety of fields, ranging from child services to welfare administrators. No matter the job title, your main responsibility is to support citizens, while empowering them to help themselves. Careers can include government or non-profit work with the broad responsibility to implement government policy and encourage civil service. Job titles include: Non-profit manager, social worker, corrections officer, and policy analyst.
Other Public Administration graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $54,736 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $31,454 to as high as $163,956. As you might expect, salaries for other public admin graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Other Public Administration is one of 4 different types of Public Administration & Social Service programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Public Administration & Social Service Professions | 721 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | 16,043 |
| Human Services | 12,541 |
| Public Policy | 6,484 |
| Community Organization & Advocacy | 2,872 |
