Public Administration

Overview

It is designed for students interested in government, namely in the formation of public policy and the practice of public sector management among many other areas of the interface between the public and private sectors. The program combines key elements of business administration, economics, and political science. Specifically, it involves the application of business administration principles in areas that are not characterized by the profit motive (government agencies and non-profit organizations), all within the context of existing political institutions. 

Public Administration majors at the University of Tennessee Knoxville study such things as the management of governmental organizations, the art and science of public budgeting, and the design and implementation of effective public policies. The public administration major is ideally suited for students who enjoy economics, politics, and business administration, but who also have strong interest in public policy and public service.

Career Opportunities in Public Administration

Public administration majors pursue careers in a wide variety of areas in both the private and public sectors, the latter at the federal, state, and local levels. Examples include tax administration and budget analysis, city management, governmental relations within large corporations and industry trade associations, the management of non-profit organizations, policy analysis in a non-governmental organization, and the functional areas of government such as education, healthcare, environment, and economic development. In addition to the Master of Public Administration degree, many undergraduate majors pursue graduate programs in law, economics, or public policy.