What is public administration?

Public administration refers to the work people do to promote positive change in our communities at the local, state, and national government levels. Some of the roles in public administration are in government but may also be in nonprofit or community awareness work. People working in public administration jobs try to use existing laws and regulations to improve people's lives while hoping to keep down public taxes, improve community response efforts, and open up communications between elected officials and citizens.

Why learn public administration?

When you learn public administration, you gain an understanding of public services, human resource management, financial management and budget allocation, communication skills, data analysis, and public sector theory for government and nonprofits. People in public administration jobs oversee public policy initiatives, budgets, and inspections, while helping to manage people and resources in the chosen environment. With these competencies, people in this field can help others to develop, implement, and execute a wide range of public administration projects and initiatives in their current work.

What career opportunities can arise from learning public administration?

Learning public administration can lead you to careers in project management, public health, public services, public grassroots building, loan administration, fundraising, government economy, public works administration, and more. The skills you learn for public administration can also lead to later careers in the private business sector or government consulting. Some of the more well-known agencies on a national level that are involved in public administration include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Small Business Administration (SBA), and others. There are many other career opportunities in public administration in local, county, and state offices as well.

How can taking online courses help me learn public administration?

Taking online courses in public administration can give you a fundamental understanding of negotiation skills, management tactics, and communications principles to help you understand how government operations work. When you learn public administration, you can create new ways to boost the efficiency of the local economy to promote equity among communities in your city or state.

What are the benefits of taking an online Public Administration course?

Online Public Administration courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Public Administration skills. Choose from a wide range of Public Administration courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Public Administration courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Public Administration, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Public Administration Courses - Learn Public Administration Online

Explore the Public Administration Course Catalog

Status: Preview
University of Michigan
Using Public Policy for Social Change
Skills you'll gain: Policy Analysis, Policy Development, Social Justice, Advocacy, Public Policies, Political Sciences, Health Policy, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Program Evaluation, Community and Social Work, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Research, Problem Solving
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
152 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Starweaver
Procurement for Governments
Skills you'll gain: Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Purchasing, Supplier Management, Corporate Sustainability, Public Administration, Governance, Digital Transformation, Request For Quotation (RFQ), Risk Management, Risk Mitigation, Business Ethics, Request for Proposal, Risk Analysis, Supplier Relationship Management, Compliance Management, Contract Management, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Regulatory Compliance, Stakeholder Engagement
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
17 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Preview
O.P. Jindal Global University
Theories of Public Policy
Skills you'll gain: Public Policies, Policy Development, Policy Analysis, Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Advocacy, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Environmental Policy, Social Justice, Public Administration, Program Evaluation, Communication Planning, Strategic Communication, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Behavioral Economics, Governance
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Data Analytics in the Public Sector with R
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization, Exploratory Data Analysis, Plot (Graphics), Statistical Analysis, Data Presentation, Ggplot2, Program Evaluation, Policy Analysis, Surveys, Data Ethics, Data Analysis, Tidyverse (R Package), Statistical Visualization, R Programming, Statistical Methods, Public Policies, Data Visualization Software, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Policy Development, Political Sciences
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
80 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Preview
O.P. Jindal Global University
Law, Governance, and Public Policy
Skills you'll gain: Political Sciences, Governance, Policy Analysis, International Relations, Public Policies, Social Justice, Economic Development, Community Development, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Social Studies, Economics, Decision Making
Build toward a degree
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Excel Basics for Data Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Data Cleansing, Data Analysis, Data Import/Export, Spreadsheet Software, Data Wrangling, Data Quality, Pivot Tables And Charts, Google Sheets, Data Manipulation, Data Science, Data Visualization Software, Information Privacy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
10K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Assisting Public Sector Decision Makers With Policy Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Statistical Analysis, Program Evaluation, Policy Analysis, Data Analysis, Statistical Methods, Public Policies, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Policy Development, Analytical Skills, Forecasting, R Programming, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Research Design, Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
26 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Indian Institute for Human Settlements
The Art and Science of Economic Policy
Skills you'll gain: Economics, Policy, and Social Studies, Policy Development, Public Policies, Policy Analysis, Behavioral Economics, Economics, Market Dynamics, Competitive Analysis, Governance, Program Implementation, Decision Making, Resource Allocation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
120 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Google
Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Search Engine Marketing, Media Planning, Social Media Marketing, Google Ads, Email Marketing, Social Media Strategy, Search Engine Optimization, Order Fulfillment, Social Media Management, Performance Measurement, Spreadsheet Software, A/B Testing, Customer Relationship Management, E-Commerce, Campaign Management, Loyalty Programs, Marketing, Interviewing Skills, Applicant Tracking Systems
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
42K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
University of London
Finding Your Professional Voice: Confidence & Impact
Skills you'll gain: Public Speaking, Verbal Communication Skills, Assertiveness, Self-Awareness, Communication, Executive Presence, Emotional Intelligence, Composure, Respiration, Stress Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Principles of Public Relations
Skills you'll gain: Strategic Communication, Public Relations, Marketing and Public Relations, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Communication Strategies, Corporate Sustainability, Brand Management, Business Ethics, Persuasive Communication, Branding, Professional Networking, Research, Stakeholder Engagement
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
607 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Status: AI skills
Microsoft
Microsoft Public Relations and Communications Associate
Skills you'll gain: Media Relations, Proofreading, Public Relations, Integrated Marketing Communications, Marketing Communications, Content Management, Public Affairs, Web Content, Performance Reporting, Storytelling, Content Management Systems, Press Releases, Strategic Communication, Content Performance Analysis, Content Strategy, Report Writing, Business Reporting, Social Media Content, Marketing Effectiveness, Generative AI
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
128 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months