Professionals who have earned a master’s degree in public administration (MPA) play crucial roles at local, national, and international levels.

The MPA is a broad-based, versatile leadership degree. While many may understand that an MPA will help boost their career in areas like government and nonprofit, they may not fully grasp how they can apply this degree to careers and positions both within and beyond the public sector.

UNC MPA graduates are working in leadership positions across the public sector including government, the military, and nonprofit organizations. They also go on to hold positions in private-sector environments such as consulting, financial management, corporate social responsibility, and community engagement.

Here are just a few examples of fields where MPA graduates can apply their skills:

MPA@UNC students complete a curriculum that positions them for success as administrators in federal, state, or local government agencies, where they can influence policy, oversee agencies, or analyze efficiencies. Our graduates learn to think strategically, act with integrity, and serve with commitment to improve their communities and the government organizations for which they work.

Our faculty members, many of whom advise top public officials at all levels of government, bring highly relevant expertise to the classroom. UNC’s MPA program has been ranked among the best in the nation in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report in several government-focused areas, including:

Local Government
Management (#2)

Public Management and
Leadership (#13)

Environmental Policy
and Management (#14)¹

UNC MPA graduates are sought after for their well-rounded leadership skills and ability to integrate theory into practice. Online MPA graduates apply their expertise in fields like:

While many prospective students associate an MPA degree exclusively with public sector careers, the degree can also benefit those looking for positions in organizations where the private sector and public sector intersect.

Many students enhance their expertise in public-private partnerships or pursue private-sector jobs that directly or indirectly collaborate with government or the community to meet their business goals.

With their heavy focus on leadership and organizational efficiency, the skills students develop through MPA@UNC can be directly applied within a wide range of private sector careers, such as:

There are more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations⁴ in the United States currently.

Increasingly, these organizations need leaders who understand the specific budgetary, managerial, and legal processes to take on leadership roles in nonprofit organizations.

MPA@UNC offers highly specialized training for aspiring nonprofit leaders with a concentration uniquely designed to build real-world nonprofit management skills.

These skills include:

Many administrators want to know how they can advance the public good on an international level, too.

Fortunately, MPA students develop skills and knowledge that empower them to serve global communities as well as domestic ones.

The most effective international administrators possess a combination of subject matter expertise, such as law and foreign policy, and functional abilities in areas like project and program management.

In partnership with the American University School of International Studies, MPA@UNC offers an international relations concentration that prepares students for careers in areas such as:

Learn about the international relations concentration.

From policy implementation to education to evaluation, public health and public administration are deeply intertwined.

That means administrators who concentrate in public health are uniquely positioned to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

These professionals can apply their skills in clinical, policy, and corporate environments, including:

Learn about the public health concentration

An MPA degree can be a powerful career accelerator for military service members—both those who wish to advance in the military and those who wish to transition out—and veterans.

Through their MPA program, military students can build on the leadership skills and expertise they’ve accrued as service members and learn more about topics that will position them for military growth or a transition into civilian roles:

MPA@UNC enables military students to earn their degree while continuing their service.

Learn more about earning an MPA as a military service member or veteran.

MPA@UNC and the School of Government offer helpful career resources for online students and alumni.

All students—including those who are looking to move into or advance within one of the specialties outlined above—will benefit from:

Read more about career services for students.

MPA@UNC students have the opportunity to partner with a dedicated career services consultant. Your consultant provides one-on-one coaching sessions, goal setting, and path identification.

Through a series of personalized sessions, we help students navigate every phase of their career, handle transitions, continue their professional development, and create a roadmap for success.

These sessions focus on:

Please contact Student Success to schedule your appointment.

The School of Government hosts and sponsors a variety of career, alumni, and professional networking events throughout the academic year, which MPA@UNC students are encouraged to attend.

These events focus on:

To help online MPA students stay connected to the career information and resources available, career management updates from the School of Government will be posted in the virtual Career Services Office.