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Students interested in reserving your spot at Point Park University for Fall 2023 should pay a tuition deposit by August 1. Paying your deposit allows you to take advantage of class registration and housing options.
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Expand Your Education, Pave the Way for a Promotion

Do you aspire to be manager of a government agency, director of a nonprofit organization or district chief of an EMS department?

Our fully online public administration program, geared for working adults with busy schedules, will prepare you for a career managing government, nonprofit and public service organizations as well as businesses in the health care, environment and energy industries, just to name a few.

Additionally, we offer tuition discounts for Allegheny County, City of Pittsburgh and EMS employees and volunteers.

Concentration Options

  • Public administration (general)
  • Emergency medical services
  • Fire service administration
  • Law enforcement administration

Courses & Topics

Courses in the public administration program include:

  • Public Budget and Finance
  • Policy and Decision Analysis
  • Critical Issues in Risk Communication
  • High Impact Event Planning
  • Theories of Public Organizations
  • Principles of Management
  • Managing Nonprofit Organizations
  • Disaster and Emergency Management
  • EMS Community Risk Reduction
  • Planning and Change in Public Organizations
  • Special Employee Relations
  • Nonprofit Organizations
  • Advanced Seminar in Applied Public Management

 Early Start Master's Program

  • This degree program is included in our Early Start Master's Program, through which students have the option to take two core classes from one of our master's programs. This program enables students to earn a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree from Point Park in as little as five years. Visit our Early Start Master's Program page for more information.
Pictured is public administration alumnus Mathew Davis.

Public administration alumnus Mathew Davis '14 is now the fire chief of Dormont Fire Department.

National Fire Academy

Students who successfully complete courses in the Fire Service Administration concentration listed above are eligible to receive course completion certificates from the National Fire Academy.

Point Park's public administration program is the first institution in Pennsylvania — and one of only 13 colleges and universities nationwide — to be recognized by the U.S. Fire Administration for its concentrations in fire service administration and emergency medical services administration. Learn more.

Faculty bring industry experience and expertise to the classroom.

You'll learn from professors with extensive industry and academic experience in the public administration field.

Meet the faculty
Pictured is Robert Skertich, Ph.D.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Robert Skertich, Ph.D.
  • Worked for the American Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • Currently deputy commander of the Disaster Medical Assistance Team based in Pittsburgh and part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Disaster Medical System
  • Firefighter, driver/operator and training instructor for the Elfinwild Fire Company

Career Options

With a degree or certificate in public administration, you will have the option to pursue various career opportunities, such as:

  • Pictured is public administration alumnus Peter Frenchak.City Manager
  • Director of Public Works
  • Department Head, County Government
  • Deputy Mayor
  • State or Federal Agency Director
  • Disaster and Emergency Services Manager
  • Community Affairs Manager
  • Non-Profit Administrator
  • Grant Writer
  • Public Policy Analyst
  • Health Care Administrator

Alumni and Student Success

From local, county, state and federal government to nonprofit organizations, learn where our graduates and students are building their public administration careers.

More news & features
Pictured is public administration student Amera Gilchrist
Amera Gilchrist '21
"Point Park's public administration classes have placed meaning and value to the work that I perform with the City of Pittsburgh."
Pictured is public administration alumnus Jeff Gooch.
Jeff Gooch '16
"All my courses at Point Park were fully online. Many of my professors were leaders in public safety and brought a wealth of knowledge to the virtual classroom."

News & Features

Frank Phillips '19
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 "Point Park provided the path I needed to be successful in my career. All I had to do was follow that path, even during the trying times of being a college student. This path provided the resources, tools and guidance from professors to ensure I left Point Park a better student. I believe I will always be a student, and I will never stop learning."
Gregory Porter '13 '20
Tuesday, July 12, 2022 "Point Park's urban campus setting is beautiful and full of opportunity. The classes are affordable and a great value. The online learning platforms are easy to use and follow. The professors are dedicated to seeing you succeed. The information provided through the public administration and MBA programs will prepare you for a long, prosperous career in public safety, municipal management and even business management."
Rowland School of Business Launches Early Start Master's Program
Friday, June 24, 2022 "This fast-track opportunity will allow undergraduate Rowland School of Business students to start taking graduate-level classes once they reach senior status in their undergraduate degree program, enabling them to complete a graduate program in one year."