MA Public Administration: Course Details, Syllabus, and Jobs
September 27, 2025 2025-09-27 10:07MA Public Administration: Course Details, Syllabus, and Jobs

MA Public Administration: Course Details, Syllabus, and Jobs
If you want to study how government works, how rules and policies are made, and how public administration can help society, then MA Public Administration is a very good choice. This course helps students understand the role of government in daily life and the way decisions are made for the welfare of people. It also teaches about leadership, management of public services, and solving social problems.
What Is MA Public Administration?
MA Public Administration means “Master of Arts in Public Administration.” It is a postgraduate (PG) course designed to teach how public systems, government agencies, policies, and administration run. You will learn about planning, governance, public policy, organizational behaviour, and related areas.
Eligibility and Duration
To enroll in the MA in Public Administration at Desh Bhagat University, the following conditions usually apply:
- You must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- You should have a minimum percentage for the general category, typically 45% marks in aggregate, and for the reserved categories, possibly 40% or as per norms.
- The course runs for 2 years / 4 semesters.
Why Study MA Public Administration at DBU?
Choosing Desh Bhagat University for this program has several advantages:
- Integrated Department — The Department of Social Science includes Public Administration as one of its key PG offerings.
- Interdisciplinary Environment — Students can interact with peers from Sociology, Political Science, Economics, and more.
- Experienced Faculty — University has experts and PhD faculty in Public Administration and related fields.
- Clear Structure and Standards — The eligibility, duration, and department information are transparently published in the university brochure.
- Focus on Employability — The Faculty of Social Sciences aims to prepare students for roles in public, private, and non-profit sectors.
MA Public Administration Syllabus (Typical)
Here is a probable structure of the MA Public Administration syllabus:
1st Semester
- Foundations of Public Administration
- Administrative Theories & Thought
- Indian Administrative System
- Public Policy: Concept and Process
2nd Semester
- Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
- Financial Administration / Public Finance
- Comparative Public Administration
- Ethics in Administration
3rd Semester
- Development Administration
- Local Government & Rural Administration
- Urban Administration
- Elective (e.g., E-Governance, Administrative Reforms, Disaster Management)
4th Semester
- Administrative Law / Public Law
- Public Sector Management / Governance
- Research Methodology in Public Administration
- Dissertation / Project Work + Seminar
This MA Public Administration syllabus combines theoretical insights, administrative systems, public sector issues, and research skills. The final semester typically includes a research project or thesis.
MA Public Administration Subjects
The MA Public Administration subjects help you learn about how governance and administration operate at local, national, and international levels. Some key subjects may include:
- Foundations of Public Administration — basic principles, history, purpose
- Administrative Theories & Thought — classical, modern, post-modern theories
- Indian Administrative System — central, state, district level administration
- Public Policy — how policies are made, implemented, and evaluated
- Human Resource Management — managing staff, capacity building in the public sector
- Financial Administration / Public Finance — budgeting, public accounts, fiscal policy
- Comparative Public Administration — comparing administrative systems across countries
- Ethics in Administration — moral issues in public service
- Development Administration — administration for development, social welfare
- Local Government & Rural / Urban Administration — governance at grassroots levels
- Administrative Law / Public Law — legal framework of administration
- Governance & Public Sector Management — accountability, performance
- Research Methodology in Public Administration — tools, techniques, data analysis
- Project / Thesis — research work in a chosen administrative topic
These subjects cover all angles: theory, structure, policy, implementation, and law.
What You Will Learn: Learning Outcomes
By completing the MA Public Administration, you will:
- Understand how governments and public institutions work
- Learn to design, implement, and evaluate public policies
- Know administrative processes at the central, state, and local levels
- Gain skills in research and data analysis
- Be aware of ethical issues and accountability in governance
- Learn comparative frameworks to compare public systems across nations
- Be able to write reports, research papers, and present work
- Gain capacity to work in public sector, policy, non-profit, or government roles
MA Public Administration Jobs
One important question is: What are the jobs you can do with an MA in Public Administration? Here are several MA Public Administration jobs, with details of work and areas:
- Administrative Officer / Civil Servant
You can work in central or state government services in administrative branches. - Policy Analyst / Policy Officer
You can analyze and develop public policies for ministries, think tanks, or NGOs. - Public Sector Manager / Executive
You can hold leadership roles in public enterprises, government agencies, or public institutions. - Local Government Officer
You can manage municipal bodies, local administration, and rural governance institutions. - Urban Planner / Urban Administration Role
You can work in city planning, municipal corporations, or smart city projects. - Public Relations / Government Liaison
You can manage public outreach, citizen engagement, media, and stakeholder relations. - NGO / Nonprofit Manager
Working in NGOs, you can manage development programmes, governance, and public policy interventions. - Researcher / Academic
You can work in research institutes or in universities as faculty or research associates. - Governance Consultant
In consulting firms, you can advise governments or institutions on reforms, efficiency, and public management. - Public Procurement / Contract Management
You can help with government tenders, contracts, and public procurement oversight.
These are only a few MA Public Administration jobs. With experience and specialization, more roles open up in public, private, and international sectors.
Career after MA Public Administration
After finishing the degree, your career after MA Public Administration can take multiple paths:
- Apply for higher roles in government services or civil services
- Work as senior policy analysts or administrative heads
- Pursue PhD or research in public administration, public policy, or governance
- Become a faculty member or professor in a university teaching public administration
- Move into leadership roles in NGOs, intergovernmental agencies, or international organizations
- Become a governance consultant or advisor to public sector projects
- Lead urban governance, smart city, e-governance, or developmental administrative reforms
With experience, you can rise to director, secretary, or top management positions in governance.
How to Prepare for MA Public Administration
If you plan to take up MA Public Administration, here are tips:
- Try to learn the basics of political science, public policy, and current affairs
- Read foundational books on public administration theory
- Stay updated with governance reforms, administrative changes, and public policy
- Develop writing, research, and analytical skills
- Take part in debates, seminars, or social work to understand governance issues
- During MA, do a good research project on a public administration topic
- Prepare for government or competitive exams (if you want administrative service roles)
These steps help you make the most of your degree and improve your job prospects.
Challenges and Tips
Like any field, there are challenges, but with good planning, you can overcome them:
- Competition: Many candidates aim for government or administrative roles. So you must stand out through specialization, good research, and networking.
- Changing political environment: Governance and public policy change often; stay updated.
- Policy and law complexity: Administrative law and policy can be technical; attend workshops or additional courses.
- Research skills: Many students lack strong research methods; practice collecting, analyzing data.
- Field exposure: Working in the field or an internship under real conditions may be hard; be open to real government offices, NGOs.
To overcome these, gain good domain knowledge, do internships, write research papers, attend conferences, and build connections.

Summary and Final Thoughts
- MA Public Administration is a postgraduate degree that helps you learn how government, public policy, and administration work.
- The MA Public Administration syllabus includes subjects like administrative theory, human resources in the public sector, governance, comparative administration, development, law, and research.
- The subjects help you understand both theory and the practice of public administration.
- You can find many MA Public Administration jobs, such as civil servant, policy analyst, urban administrator, NGO manager, governance consultant, etc.
Choosing Desh Bhagat University for this program ensures you study in a strong Social Science Faculty, with access to interdisciplinary support and transparent PG offerings.
FAQs
1. What is MA Public Administration?
MA Public Administration means Master of Arts in Public Administration. It is a two-year postgraduate course that teaches how government offices, public organizations, and policies work. The course helps students learn about public policy, governance, administration, and management. It prepares you for jobs in government, NGOs, the public sector, and research.
2. What is the duration and eligibility for MA Public Administration at DBU?
The MA Public Administration program at Desh Bhagat University is of two years with four semesters.
To take admission, you must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with at least 45% marks. Students from any background can apply, but those interested in governance, law, or social sciences will find it most useful.
3. What are the main subjects in the MA Public Administration course?
The MA Public Administration subjects include Administrative Theory, Indian Administration, Public Policy, Human Resource Management, Financial Administration, Comparative Administration, Local Government, and Research Methodology.
These subjects help students understand how administration works at different levels — local, state, and national — and how to manage public programs effectively.
4. What is included in the MA Public Administration syllabus?
The MA Public Administration syllabus covers both theory and practical learning. It includes papers like Foundations of Public Administration, Public Policy, Development Administration, Urban and Rural Governance, Ethics in Administration, and Administrative Law.
In the final semester, students complete a research project or dissertation on a topic related to public administration.
5. What skills will I learn in MA Public Administration?
By studying MA Public Administration, you will learn important skills such as policy analysis, decision-making, research methods, public management, leadership, and communication.
You will also understand how to plan government programs, manage people and resources, and solve public issues. These skills help you build a successful career in governance.
6. What are the job opportunities after MA Public Administration?
There are many job opportunities for MA in Public Administration. Graduates can work as civil servants, administrative officers, policy analysts, NGO managers, researchers, or public sector executives.
They can also work in local government, urban planning, consulting, and international organizations like the UN or development agencies.
7. What are the best jobs after MA Public Administration?
Some of the best MA Public Administration jobs are:
- Government Officer or Civil Servant
- Policy Analyst
- Administrative Manager
- Public Relations Officer
- Urban Development Planner
- NGO Director
- Research Associate
These roles allow you to serve the public, improve governance, and work in leadership positions.
8. Can I work in government after MA Public Administration?
Yes, definitely. After MA Public Administration, you can apply for government jobs through exams like UPSC, State Public Service Commissions, or municipal recruitment boards.
You can work in departments like administration, planning, education, finance, and public welfare. The degree gives you knowledge that helps you perform well in public service roles.
9. Can I continue my studies after MA Public Administration?
Yes, after completing MA Public Administration, you can study further. You can do a PhD in Public Administration or Public Policy.
You can also take professional diplomas in Governance, Urban Planning, Development Management, or Administrative Law. These higher studies help you grow in research, academics, or specialized administrative roles.
10. Why should I choose Desh Bhagat University for MA Public Administration?
Desh Bhagat University offers a well-structured MA Public Administration program. It provides experienced teachers, a research-focused syllabus, modern learning facilities, and practical exposure.
Students get guidance for career development and placements in both government and private sectors. The university ensures quality education and a bright future for all its students.