Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other.

Degree Overview

Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (CIP 44.9999) is a broad, interdisciplinary public service field focused on managing, designing, and delivering programs that support communities, protect the public interest, and improve social outcomes. This classification is used for academic programs that blend elements of public administration, social services, policy, nonprofit management, and community development in ways that do not fit neatly into a single traditional category. It reflects how real-world public service work often crosses boundaries between government, nonprofit, and community-based systems.

For a degree search site, Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other represents flexibility, leadership, and civic impact. Modern social challenges—housing affordability, public health access, aging populations, workforce development, disaster response, and inequality—require professionals who understand both how organizations are managed and how people are served. This degree appeals to students who want a mission-driven career that combines organizational leadership with direct social impact, rather than focusing solely on policy theory or individual casework.

What Is a Public Administration and Social Service Professions Degree?

A Public Administration and Social Service Professions degree is an academic and applied program that prepares students to work at the intersection of governance, nonprofit leadership, and human services. Programs under the “Other” designation often emphasize interdisciplinary or customized curricula that integrate administrative skills with social service knowledge.

Depending on the institution, this degree may:

• Combine public administration and human services coursework
• Emphasize nonprofit or community-based management
• Focus on program coordination and service delivery
• Integrate policy implementation with direct community impact
• Support emerging or cross-sector public service roles

Rather than training for a single job title, this degree emphasizes:

• How public and nonprofit systems function
• Leadership and management in service-oriented organizations
• Ethical governance and accountability
• Coordination of programs serving diverse populations
• Systems thinking across social, economic, and institutional contexts

Colleges and universities offer this degree to:

• Prepare students for flexible careers across government and social services
• Address workforce needs in public and nonprofit organizations
• Support advancement into supervisory or administrative roles
• Provide a foundation for graduate study in public administration, social work, or policy

What Will You Learn?

Students learn how social service programs are planned, funded, managed, and evaluated. You’ll study how policies are implemented on the ground, how organizations serve communities, and how leaders balance limited resources with growing public needs. Coursework emphasizes accountability, effectiveness, and ethical decision-making.

You’ll also learn how to work with diverse stakeholders, including clients, community members, government officials, nonprofit partners, and funders.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Graduates typically develop skills such as:

• Public and nonprofit management—leading service-oriented organizations
• Program planning and coordination—designing effective services
• Policy implementation awareness—turning decisions into action
• Budgeting and resource management—responsible use of funds
• Ethical and legal decision-making—accountability and transparency
• Community engagement and collaboration—working across sectors
• Program evaluation and outcomes assessment—measuring impact
• Professional communication—reports, proposals, and public messaging

These skills are essential for leadership and coordination roles in service-driven organizations.

Topics You May Explore

Because this is an “Other” classification, coursework varies by institution, but commonly includes:

• Foundations of Public Administration: governance and management
• Human Services Systems: service delivery frameworks
• Public and Nonprofit Budgeting: funding and accountability
• Social Welfare Policy: structure and implementation
• Program Planning and Evaluation: assessing effectiveness
• Ethics and Accountability: professional responsibility
• Community and Organizational Leadership: managing people and programs
• Interagency and Cross-Sector Collaboration: systems coordination
• Capstone or Applied Project: real-world service challenges

Many programs include internships with government agencies or nonprofit organizations.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

A Public Administration and Social Service Professions degree prepares students for administrative, coordination, and leadership roles across the public and nonprofit sectors. Career outcomes depend on experience, responsibilities, and additional education.

Common career paths include:

• Program or Service Coordinator: managing community programs
• Public or Nonprofit Administrator: organizational operations
• Community or Social Services Manager: service oversight
• Policy or Program Analyst: implementation-focused analysis
• Grants or Compliance Administrator: funding and reporting roles
• Human Services Supervisor: frontline leadership
• Public Sector or Nonprofit Consultant: organizational improvement
• Graduate School Path: public administration, social work, or policy

This degree is especially valuable for advancement beyond direct service roles.

Where Can You Work?

Graduates work in organizations that design and deliver public and social services:

• Local, state, and federal government agencies
• Nonprofit and community-based organizations
• Public health, housing, and social service agencies
• Education and workforce development programs
• Healthcare and behavioral health systems
• Foundations and philanthropic organizations
• Public–private partnership initiatives

These professionals often serve as the link between policy goals and community impact.

How Much Can You Earn?

Earnings vary by sector, role, and level of responsibility.

Typical ranges include:

• Entry-level administrative or coordination roles: often $40,000–$55,000
• Program managers or administrators: commonly $55,000–$80,000
• Senior managers or directors: can reach $85,000–$120,000+

Public and nonprofit benefits, stability, and mission alignment are often key advantages.

Is This Degree Hard?

Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other is considered moderately challenging. Students must balance analytical thinking, writing, ethical judgment, and people-focused problem-solving. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree requires adaptability and strong organizational skills.

The challenge lies in managing complex systems while remaining responsive to human needs.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a strong fit if you:

• Want a career in public service or nonprofit leadership
• Enjoy organizing programs and improving systems
• Care about social impact and community outcomes
• Prefer flexible roles that combine management and service
• Are considering graduate study in public administration or social work

How to Prepare in High School

To prepare for a public administration and social service program:

• Take government, civics, economics, and social science courses
• Develop strong writing, organization, and communication skills
• Learn about public institutions and social service systems
• Participate in student leadership or community service
• Volunteer with nonprofit or civic organizations

Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (CIP 44.9999) is a strong degree choice for students who want to lead with purpose. It bridges management and service, preparing graduates to run programs, implement policy, and improve how institutions serve people. For those committed to ethical leadership, community impact, and long-term public good, this degree offers both flexibility and meaningful career opportunity.