MA Public Adminstration: Fees, IGNOU, Colleges, Admissions, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Syllabus, Top Colleges

The full form of MA Public Administration is Master of Arts in Public Administration. It is a two-year postgraduate course. It focuses on the study and application of the management of public organizations, public policies, and governance.

It aims to equip students with the skills and expertise needed to operate a public organization. It also offers specialization in various fields such as law, political science, economics, management, etc. Internships are an essential part of this program, helping students to build experience and networks within the public sector.

Admission into this course is done on both merit and entrance basis. MA Public Administration entrance exam includes BHU PET, AMU ET, and JMI EE.

The eligibility for MA Public Administration is for the course, students must have a 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA in their graduation degree from a recognized university.

MA Public Administration fees are INR 5,000 – 1,20,000 Lakhs. Some of the top MA Public Administration colleges are  Jamia Millia Islamia, JNU Delhi, and IGNOU  among others.

MA Public Administration syllabus includes topics on Political Theory, Indian Constitution, Public Personnel, and Public Thought.

MA Public Administration jobs include Professors, Public Policy Analysts, Policy Advocacy, Public Administration, and more. MA Public Administration salary ranges from INR 3.5 – 20 LPA. Some of the top recruiters for this course are HDFC Bank, DLF, and Godrej. 

MA Public Administration: Course Highlights 

Why Pursue MA Public Administration?

• Career Upgrade: After pursuing MA Public Administration, one gets a lot of career opportunities in government agencies, Nonprofit Organizations (NGOs), and various consulting firms like McKinsey & Company, EY, Capgemini Invent, etc.
• Making a Difference: Those who have the desire to contribute positively to ‌society should go for MA Public Administration because they are equipped with the skill set to handle issues like healthcare disparities, environmental degradation, and poverty.
• Inclusive Skill Set: Programs in MA Public Administration train students to develop the ability to assess the implication of policies such as the social and economic impact of ‌policies on the community.
• Real-World Experience: Providing students with real-world experience with practical knowledge is one of the key strengths of the MA Public Administration program.
• Career Flexibility: MA Public Administration program provides individuals a wide range of career options and flexibility to change careers within different public sectors.

Who Should pursue MA Public Administration?

• Individuals who are curious and passionate about creating a positive impact and contribution in the public sector and communities are ideal candidates for the MA Public Administration. 
• Individuals who are interested in shaping public policies, analyzing their impact on both larger and smaller levels, and challenging societal problems.
• Public servants who are already working in the Government sector can pursue MA Public Administration to gain new perspectives, knowledge, and strategies to work better and improve their efficiency. 
• Individuals who value ethical decision-making and accountability for the public sector can pursue this program.

MA Public Administration: Course Duration

The duration of MA Public Administration in India is 2 years, which is divided into 4 semesters. However, the exact duration may vary depending on the university or institution offering the course. MA Public Administration distance education programs may have a longer duration, up to 5 years, compared to the regular full-time course.

MA Public Administration: Course Types

MA Public Administration is offered to students in two modes that can be pursued full-time or via distance education.  

MA Public Administration Full-time: Regular MA Public Administration programs are courses that are typically completed within a duration of two years. This program involves attending classes, fieldwork, and research projects. Full-time courses often provide a more immersive learning experience and are ideal for individuals who want to pursue a career in the event industry and take on leadership roles. 

MA Public Administration Distance Education: This option is available for students who cannot pursue this course on a full-time basis due to personal or professional commitments and require flexibility in choosing their study time. Distance learning programs utilize online platforms, study materials, and virtual interactions to deliver course content. Students can access lectures, submit assignments, and participate in discussions remotely.

MA Public Administration: IGNOU

India Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) also offers students MA Public Administration program in distance mode. School of Social Sciences offers this program. IGNOU is A well-recognized university that offers over 277 courses for students to pursue. Taking admission to this university can be worthwhile for students as students can learn about topics like public administration and its functioning.

The total fee for MA Public Administration offered by IGNOU is INR 14,600, which could be paid annually. Students can study in both English and Hindi.

To pursue this program, students should have a bachelor's degree in any department of study from a recognized university. No age limit is defined by the university.

MA Public Administration: Fees

MA Public Administration in India normally costs anywhere between INR 5,000 – 1,20,000 Lakhs. Depending on the university, college, and region, different MA Public Administration programs may have different costs. Given below is an overview of the fees for this course. 

MA Public Administration: Government College Fees

MA Public Administration: Private College Fees

MA Public Administration: Top Colleges

MA Public Administration: Admission Process

It is highly recommended that aspirants score well in their undergraduate examinations or prepare well for the entrance exam. Given below is an overview of both modes of admission: 

MA Public Administration Admission: Merit Based

• An aspirant should score more than 50% marks in their undergraduate examinations to be applicable for merit-based admission.
• Apply to the desired college through their official website or by physically visiting the institution and filling out the application form.
• Make sure to check the eligibility criteria and have all the required documents (10th and 12th Certificates, Undergraduate degree, Aadhar Card, Photographs, etc.) in hand.  
• Merit lists are usually updated on the official website of the colleges and need to be checked regularly by the aspirant.
• If selected, the aspirant can pay the required fees and the admission process will be complete.  
• Finally, candidates must attend the counseling or orientation organized by the institution for further details, if selected from the merit list.  

MA Public Administration Admission: Entrance Based

• Apply to the desired college through their official website or by physically visiting the institution and filling out the application form.
• The application form will require the candidate to register themselves with an email ID, password, and mobile number along with academic and course details. 
• The candidate is required to upload the necessary documents online, such as Photograph, 10th, and 12th Certificates, Aadhar Card etc.)
• Once the form is complete, the candidate will be asked to pay a minimal amount of application fee. 
• It is advised to check the website regularly for updates on the admit card, entrance exam, and entrance exam syllabus. 
• Admit cards will be issued to all the eligible students which will have important information such as the date of the examination, examination center, and timings. 
• The college/university will then publish lists according to their cutoff and seat availability. 
• If selected, a candidate should pay the course fee as soon as possible and attend the orientation/counseling organized by the college for further information.

MA Public Administration: Eligibility 

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50-55% marks from any stream from a recognized university/college.
• Some MA Public Administration programs may prefer candidates with relevant work experience in the events industry or related fields. 

MA Public Administration: Entrance Exams

There are many entrance exams for students to pursue MA Public Administration in India, conducted by various universities every year. 

• AMU ET (Aligarh Muslim University Entrance Test)
• BHU PET (Banaras Hindu University Postgraduate Entrance Test)
• JMI EE (Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Examination)
• IPU CET (Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test)

MA Public Administration: Entrance Exam Syllabus

As there are several MA Public Administration entrance exams in India, every university has designed its own exam pattern. But there are some common topics in the MA Entrance exam syllabus:

MA Public Administration: Syllabus

MA Public Administration syllabus will vary from college to college; however, given below is an overview of the topics in each semester and year:

Course Comparison: MA Public Administration vs MBA

MA Public Administration: Top Colleges in Delhi

• Miranda House
• Hindu College
• Jamia Millia Islamia
• Ambedkar University Delhi

MA Public Administration: Top Colleges in Mumbai

• St. Xavier’s College
• KJ Somaiya College of Arts & Commerce
• SK Somaiya College
• Kishinchand Chellaram College
• Mithibai College of Arts

MA Public Administration: Top Colleges in Bangalore

• Kristu Jayanti College
• Maharani Lakshmi Ammanni College for Women
• Jyoti Nivas College
• Chanakya University

MA Public Administration: Top Colleges in Kolkata

• Adamas University
• Netaji Subhas Open University
• St. Peter’s College
• Shri Shikshayatan College

MA Public Administration: Top Colleges in Pune

• Savitibai Phule Pune University
• MIT Pune 

MA Public Administration: Top Colleges in Chennai

• Madras Christian College
• University of Madras

MA Public Administration: Recommended Books

Given below are the names of some recognized books along with their authors in the field of Public Administration that a candidate must read to gain further knowledge in the course: 

MA Public Administration: Jobs

Given below is an overview of some of the key job roles that MA Public Administration graduates can explore:

MA Public Administration: Salary

MA Public Administration salary ranges from INR 3.5 – 20 LPA. This can vary widely based on factors such as job role, years of experience, geographical location, company size, and industry sector. Below is a general salary overview for some key job roles in holding an MA Public Administration:

MA Public Administration: Top Recruiters

• Oxfam India
• Save the Children India
• CRY (Child Rights and You)
• United Nations India
• World Health Organization (WHO) India
• UNICEF India
• Consulting Firms and Think Tanks:
• McKinsey & Company
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
• The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
• Center for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP)

MA Public Administration: Scope

After completing a degree in MA Public Administration, there are various opportunities one can get in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. There are various roles in the market for them like Budget analyst, Tax Examiner, Administrative Officer, Consultant, Political Scientist, Policy Analyst, Researcher, Program Manager, Development Officer, Urban Planner, etc.

If a student wants to study further after completing MA Public Administration, they are various programs available in India such as, Ph. D in Public Administration, Executive MBA, Financial Risk Management Certification, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Specialized Master’s program, International Studies or Diplomacy, Nonprofit Management, etc.