MBA Vs. MPA: What's the Difference?

A Master's in Public Administration traditionally takes 2 years to complete, but 1-year programs are available in on-campus and online formats. Students may also pursue full-time and part-time formats and programs that are available in the evenings for flexibility. There are also Executive MPA programs available for professionals already working in the field. When considering an MPA versus an MBA degree, the MPA is the public sector equivalent of an MBA. Typical admission requirements include:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• Completion of the GRE (graduate record exam)
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Competence in economics and quantitative analysis
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statements and/or essays

The answer to what is MPA degree is that an MPA degree is a Master of Public Administration. The MPA degree meaning is a master's degree in public affairs that prepares recipients of the degree to serve in executive positions in municipal, state, federal, or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The MPA degree is similar to the MPP (master's in public policy degree). Students should be aware that the MPP degree focuses on policy analysis and design, while the MPA degree focuses on program implementation.

MPA programs may require around 30 to 64 credits and may include a capstone course. Programs are interdisciplinary and include classes in economics, sociology, law, anthropology, and political science. Some programs allow students to earn dual degrees in areas like law (MPA-JD), information systems (MPA-MIS), or public health (MPH-MPA). Although it is not common, some programs may offer various concentration areas, such as education policy, health policy, economic development, policy analysis, or public financial management. Other programs offer electives in place of concentration. Core coursework in an MPA program may discuss topics in:

• Public organization and management
• Governmental physical decision making
• Research methods
• Human resources in the public and nonprofit sectors
• Introduction to public policy analysis
• Organizational behavior

MPA Jobs

Graduates with their MPA can work government jobs, non-governmental jobs, and non-profit organizations and usually pursue administrative or managerial positions. Some common career options for those with an MPA include:

• Law enforcement administrator
• Emergency management director
• Administrative services manager
• Community development director
• City manager
• Public health manager
• City planner
• Director of governmental administration
• Community health educator
• Marketing director
• Chief financial officer
• Director of administration

MPA salary

MPA average annual salary examples by some selected typical positions are:

A Master's in Business Administration traditionally takes 3 years to complete. Accelerated, 18-month programs are available. MBA programs are also available in on-campus and online formats with flexible schedules, like availability in the evenings and part-time formats. Executive MBA programs are also available for those with professional work experience.

Some MBA programs may require around 48 credits and/or a capstone course. These programs may allow students to earn concurrent degrees, such as an MBA, MPA, or MPA/ID (International Development).

Admission requirements may include:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• Undergraduate courses in Statistics and Accounting
• Competitive GPA (3.0 or higher)
• Letters of recommendation
• Personal statements and/or essays
• GMAT or GRE scores
• Work experience

Typical coursework might include:

• Business analytics
• Financial reporting and analysis
• Organizational leadership
• Marketing management
• Financial markets
• Supply chain management
• Risk management
• Management of information systems

MBA Jobs

Graduates with an MBA can also work in the public or private sectors and typically take on a managerial role. Graduates may also pursue careers within their particular concentration area of business. Some specific job titles for those with an MBA include:

• Marketing manager
• Financial manager
• Human resources (HR) manager
• Nonprofit director
• Operations manager
• Accountant
• Budget analyst
• Business operations manager
• Chief executive officer (CEO)
• Chief information officer (CIO)
• Database administrator
• Finance director
• Financial analyst
• Human resources (HR) director
• Information systems manager
• Management analyst
• Market research analyst
• Marketing director
• Operations research analyst
• Senior product manager
• Project manager
• Supply chain manager

MBA average annual salary examples by some selected typical positions are:

When deciding on an MBA vs. MPA degree, an individual should consider their career goals. An MPA degree is a targeted degree that focuses mainly on the public sector. The MPA degree gives an individual the savvy needed to succeed in public service leadership. While an MPA may not earn as much as an MBA, an MPA graduate is more likely to see direct social benefit from their work in the field. The MPA is designed to help someone exact social change for the better. An MBA is one of the most flexible advanced degrees one can attain and has applications across all industries. Earning an MBA from a highly accredited school can be a very wise investment for a business-oriented individual.

Some sample MPA degree specialty types are:

Non-profit Management

Non-profit organizations look to individuals who can help develop programs specifically designed for their non-profit organization and to help manage those programs. This specialty allows an individual to use the skills they obtained from their MPA degree and to apply them to a cause they care about.

Health Field

Public administration individuals are involved in developing health programs and policies that need to be followed, maintained, and adjusted to meet the community's needs.

Some sample MBA degree specialty types are:

Accounting

This specialty provides an individual with the knowledge they need to interpret a company's financial data effectively. This concentration can lead to other career opportunities in Finance.

Human Resource Management

Human resources are the heart and soul of an organization. This specialty leads to the ability to coach employees, explain and implement benefits, and manage recruitment. This specialty offers many challenges in implementing business policies while at the same time listening, caring, and demonstrating effective solutions for employees.

Salary ranges for those with an MPA or MBA vary greatly based on several factors, such as specific position, location, experience, and skill set. However, in general, PayScale.com reported that graduates with an MPA degree made an average salary of $68,118. Those with an MBA made an average salary of $89,069. These average salaries are from the 2021 copyrighted PayScale.com website.