Major in Public Management & Leadership

Lead government organizations, prepared to solve public sector challenges

Develop solid managerial skills to help you lead government organizations at the local, state, or federal level. You’ll study public finance and budgeting, urban development and planning, and contract management while gaining unique insight into public sector challenges. You’ll also have opportunities to explore global approaches to public management by studying abroad on the Rhine, in the United Arab Emirates, or in France.

Our recent graduates have landed public management jobs including:

  • Client Sales Representative, Echo Global Logistics
  • Associate District Manager, ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.)
  • Coordinator, Development; American Cancer Society

Explore career outcomes

Connect with O’Neill Admissions

If you are a current high school student, contact us at (812) 855-6774 or
oneillam@iu.edu.

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For current IU and transfer students

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Graduate success story

Jack Hanchett, BSPA’22

Project Manager, Federal Railroad Administration
Office of Outreach and Project Delivery
Washington, D.C.

After studying public management and leadership with a minor in business, Hanchett started his career as an energy, sustainability, and infrastructure consultant at Guidehouse before transitioning into federal work.

Program learning goals

Expand for detailed learning outcomes.

1.1 Recognize legal, political, economic, and cultural constraints that are unique to public sector organizations

1.2 Analyze the role of public organizations throughout the policy process, including formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation of public programs

1.3 Describe the size, scope, and historical development of the federal bureaucracy

1.4 Evaluate models of political oversight and democratic accountability for public organizations

1.5 Apply models of networking and collaboration between public organizations and organizations in the private and nonprofit sectors

1.6 Assess the role of privatization and contracting out in the delivery of public programs and policies

1.7 Understand the system of federalism and the challenges and implications of intergovernmental relations in the public sector

1.8 Basic comprehension of the budgeting processes used at the local, state, and federal levels of government

1.9 Conduct benefit-cost analysis to evaluate the cost-efficiency of a public policy or program

1.10 Use a comparative framework to understand how political, legal, economic, and cultural differences shape public management across the globe

1.11 Use the results of appropriate quantitative or qualitative methods to inform decision making and improve the policy process

2.1 Analyze collaborative leadership, leadership styles, and their impact on organizations and employees

2.2 Describe relevant ethics and codes of conduct in the field of public management and analyze ethical dilemmas faced by public managers

2.3 Develop expertise in engagement of citizens, clients, and external stakeholders and develop plans for how these stakeholders would provide feedback and participate in decision-making

2.4 Explain why and how public organizations foster diversity, equity, and inclusion among employees, clients, constituencies, and communities

2.5 Identify innovative solutions to problems and obstacles faced by public sector organizations.

2.6 Use theories and frameworks in understanding the practical challenges associated with public management

3.1 Describe and apply theories of organizational change and their applications to public management

3.2 Describe and apply theories of work motivation and their application to public management

3.3 Work effectively in a diverse team and deal effectively with conflict among group members

3.4 Understand the relationship between organizational structure and outcomes

3.5 Create, plan, and develop a mission statement and strategic plan for a public sector organization (e.g., SWOT analysis)

3.6 Apply performance management strategies and techniques to evaluate the performance of a public sector organization

4.1 Speak confidently and clearly in front of groups in both informal and structured settings

4.2 Write clear, informative, professional prose that presents logically ordered, verifiable evidence in document formats (e.g., memos, statements, proposals, reports)

4.3 Recognize the difference between anecdote or personal account and systematic data, and deploy both appropriately in support of an argument

4.4 Communicate how public policies, laws, programs, and managerial innovations impact participants, governmental entities, and society