Public Administration Specialization

Achieve your goals to start or advance a career at a government agency or at a nonprofit with an evening or online MS in Business with a Public Administration specialization.

A career in the public sector is an impactful way to serve your community—and our Master of Science in Business with a specialization in Public Administration will enhance the managerial skills you need to ensure a government department or program works well for the people it serves. Advance your career and do good at the same time.

At a Glance

$106,000
Average salary for a city manager

Program Length

As little as 16 months

Format

  • Online
  • Evening courses at our locations in Bismarck, ND; Fargo, ND; Grand Forks AFB, ND; Watford City, ND; Billings, MT; and Fort Riley, KS

Tuition per Credit

$520

Next Start Date:

Rolling, every 5 weeks
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Is This the Degree For Me?

Who It’s For

  • Civil Service Professionals
  • Educators
  • Policymakers
  • Nonprofit Professionals
  • All other professionals who want to gain the skills needed to manage public programs

Career Paths

  • Civil Service Manager
  • Nonprofit Director
  • City Manager
  • Program Director
  • Government Department Head
  • Policy Analyst
  • Mayor

What You’ll Learn

In our MS in Business with a Public Administration specialization, you will gain advanced organizational leadership skills and undertake an in-depth examination of public programs and government operations at the local, state, and federal level. When you graduate, you will be prepared to:

  • Synthesize content from professional journals and scholarly research to make conclusions regarding operational practices.
  • Assess public sector best practices using quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
  • Evaluate the contemporary global business environment in an integrated manner to propose business solutions.
  • Demonstrate professional business communication.
  • Interpret results from multiple business support tools to inform decision making.
  • Take on leadership roles within your organization.
  • Apply advanced management strategies to improve employee productivity and organizational results.

Accreditations

  • IACBE logo

    IACBE

    The Gary Tharaldson School of Business at the University of Mary has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11374 Strang Line Road in Lenexa, Kansas, USA.

    View Accreditation

Program Details

Your first step is to apply for candidacy by submitting the application for admission. Candidacy means you are on your way to completing the admissions process! You will need to be accepted into your program before you can enroll in classes.

Upon receiving candidacy you will need to submit the following to be considered for admissions into a graduate program:

  • Official transcripts showing a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.
    • Graduated from the University of Mary? Then we’ll get your Mary transcript for you!
    • At most other schools, you can request transcripts by going to the National Student Clearinghouse or by contacting the registrar’s office. 
    • Have your transcripts sent to:
      Office of Admissions
      University of Mary
      7500 University Drive
      Bismarck, ND 58504
    • Or request to send electronic transcripts to [email protected]
  • Application/enrollment fee - This will be collected at the time you fill out the online application.
For a list of courses for this program, visit the catalog.
  • Online
  • Evening courses at our locations in Bismarck, ND; Fargo, ND; Grand Forks AFB, ND; Watford City, ND; Billings, MT; and Fort Riley, KS
  • Tuition: $520/credit
  • Application fee: $45
  • Technology/Safety fee: $35 per credit
  • Parking fee (evening class participants only): $25 per semester

Get Started Today

Apply Online