Careers: social and community service manager, urban planner, budget analyst, emergency management director, and eligibility interviewer. Majors: Public Administration and Policy, Political Science, Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Economics, and Sociology.
College majors for government and public service
Public Administration and Policy
Teaches you to manage government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Political Science
Studies government, politics, public policy and international relations.
Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Prepares you to plan for, respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies.
Economics
Studies how people, businesses and governments make choices about scarce resources.
Sociology
Studies societies, groups, institutions and social change.
History
Studies the past to understand how people, societies and ideas changed over time.
Careers in government and public service
Social and Community Service Manager
Lead programs and teams that serve communities and people in need.
- Typical training: 4 years + under 5 years of experience
Urban Planner
Plan how cities and towns grow, from housing and parks to roads and transit.
- Typical training: 6 years (bachelor’s + master’s)
Budget Analyst
Help organizations plan spending and stick to their budgets.
- Typical training: Entry-level with a degree
Emergency Management Director
Plan for disasters and lead communities through emergencies and recovery.
- Typical training: Bachelor’s plus 5+ years of experience
Eligibility Interviewer
Interview applicants and decide who qualifies for public benefits.
- Typical training: 1–12 months on the job
Tax Examiner
Review tax returns and collect taxes for federal, state and local governments.
- Typical training: 4 years + agency training
Court Clerk
Keep court, city and license records running for the public.
- Typical training: 1+ year on the job
Skills these careers use
- Financial analysis
- Program management
- Budgeting
- Grant management
- Outcome evaluation
- Land use planning
Minors that fit this interest
- Economics: Adds an understanding of markets, incentives and economic policy.
- Emergency Management: Adds disaster planning, response and recovery skills.
- Political Science: Adds knowledge of government, policy and politics.
Start building skills now
A self-paced online course on what social and community service managers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: program management, budgeting, and grant management
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Government and Public Service
A self-paced online course on what urban planners do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: land use planning, zoning, and GIS
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Government and Public Service
A self-paced online course on what budget analysts do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: budget preparation, financial analysis, and forecasting
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Government and Public Service
Government and Public Service: frequently asked questions
What careers are there in government and public service?
Careers connected to government and public service include social and community service manager, urban planner, budget analyst, emergency management director, eligibility interviewer, tax examiner, and court clerk.
What should I major in if I am interested in government and public service?
Majors connected to government and public service include Public Administration and Policy, Political Science, Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Economics, Sociology, and History. Compare what each includes, the skills it builds and where it leads.
What government and public service careers do not require a four-year degree?
Examples include eligibility interviewer and court clerk. They typically start with a high school diploma, a certificate, an associate degree, an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
Which government and public service careers usually require a bachelor’s degree or more?
Examples include social and community service manager, urban planner, budget analyst, emergency management director, and tax examiner. Some also need a license or certification.
What skills do you need for a career in government and public service?
Skills that come up often in these careers include financial analysis, program management, budgeting, grant management, outcome evaluation, and land use planning, along with communication and problem solving.
What minors fit an interest in government and public service?
Minors connected to government and public service include Economics, Emergency Management, and Political Science.
How do I start a career in government and public service?
Learn about the careers in the field, choose one or two that fit you, check the education or training each requires, and build practical knowledge early through classes, part-time work, volunteering or short career training.
Can I explore government and public service careers before choosing a college major?
Yes. Career profiles, job shadowing and short online career training let you learn what jobs in government and public service involve before you commit to a major or program.
Does Career Education Institute offer training related to government and public service?
Yes. Related online trainings include Social and Community Service Manager Training, Urban Planner Training, and Budget Analyst Training. They are general, non-credit courses that teach what a job involves; they do not grant a degree or license.
Which colleges offer programs related to government and public service?
Use the college search to find U.S. colleges that report awarding degrees in related majors, filtered by state, city, ZIP code, online programs and type of school.