Students trying to decide between studying for a master's in public administration and one in human services should identify their career goals. While public administration is geared toward a career in government, a human services degree generally focuses on social services. Both degrees can be used in either public or private institutions and focus on serving the public, but the subtle differences in their concentrations can help students decide which is more appropriate for them.
Similarities
Master's degrees in both public administration and human services prepare students for careers in public service. Graduates of both programs go on to be leaders in government and nonprofits, shaping policy and handling the administrative sides of both institutions. They work domestically and internationally.
Public Administration
Generally, public administration deals with putting policy into play within the sphere of government. It refers to civil servants working to implement laws and programs. A master's degree in public administration can concentrate on the administration, governance or finance of an organization. It does not focus on turning a profit for the organization. With a job using your master's in public administration, you will provide services and design, evaluate and set policies in motion. Individuals from the California State University, Los Angeles, master of science in Public Administration program, for example, are trained in planning, managing, budgets and representing the public. At Harvard University's Kennedy School, a master's degree in Public Administration focuses on international development. It gives students training in quantitative methods and analysis and its course work focuses on practice and policy.
Human Services
Human services master's degrees focus on the theory and administration of social benefits programs. Some typical programs human services graduates work in include healthcare, drug addiction and mental health counseling and helping the homeless. Human services master's programs train students to manage, present and fund social services to the public. Some of the course work involved includes leadership, making decisions, program planning and evaluation, as they relate to social services. The master of science in Human Services program at the Boston-based University of Massachusetts has graduates that go on to start their own private businesses as providers of public services.
Differences
The master's degree in Public Administration focuses on providing service to the public within a government framework, although the training received in the program is applicable to nonprofit administration as well. A master's degree in Human Services focuses on providing social services in private institutions. It provides training more for those who wish to work in nonprofits and not so much in the world of politics and public policy. Its training is, however, applicable to working within a government framework.
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