Designed for those who see public service as a calling
Choose From Four Concentrations
Utilizing problem-solving strategies designed to develop the skills to be an effective leader in public, private and nonprofit organizations, the UNT Dallas Public Leadership and Administration master’s degree allows you to focus on your specific area of interest with four concentrations: Administrative Leadership, Nonprofit & Community Leadership, Public Health Leadership or Emergency Services Administration. Whichever Public Leadership and Administration degree concentration you choose, you will join other UNT Dallas students who are driven to empower the underserved and radically change the dialogue to address specific social issues.
Administrative Leadership Nonprofit & Community Leadership Public Health Leadership Emergency Services Administration
Alumni Success
Donna Henry wanted to jump-start a change in her career path, but wasn’t exactly sure
how—or if—she could make that happen.
UNT Dallas program looks past low undergrad GPAs to offer a chance for graduate degree - Dallas Morning News
Alumni Success
"UNTD exposed me to many issues facing our communities and groomed me to be an upstander- someone who stands up to social injustices by getting involved in the solutions versus a bystander, someone who stands by and does nothing."
-Tyeshia R. Wilson, MSPL ‘18
Master of Science Public Leadership and Administration Curriculum
The UNT Dallas master’s degree in Public Leadership and Administration is a 36-hour degree that can be accomplished in 18 – 24 months. It requires 21 hours of core courses, 12 hours of electives and three hours of Capstone. Courses are offered in 8-week or 16-week components during the fall and spring semesters, and in 3-week and 5-week components during the summer. UNT Dallas offers its master’s degree in Public Leadership and Administration in a variety of forms to fit the needs of our busy students:
- 100% online
- Face-to-face classroom setting
- Hybrid (mix of classroom and online learning)
- Face-to-face and hybrid courses are on weekday evenings and Saturdays
Courses Include:
- Public Service & Society
- Managing Human Resources
- Managing Financial Resources
- Data Analytics/Research Methods
- Leadership in a Complex World
- Strategic Planning
- Organizational Theory & Managing Change
- Professional Practice for Public Leadership and Administration
UNT Dallas Public Leadership and Administration Concentrations
Administrative Leadership
The Administrative Leadership concentration within the UNT Dallas Public Leadership
and Administration master’s degree program develops the advanced skills and experience
that public leaders need to build and enhance communities, and improve the quality
of life of residents. Courses in the Administrative Leadership concentration provide
students with a strong foundation in environmental, economic and community development,
and with the practical skills necessary to implement policy and evaluation. Students
will explore a range of topics such as ethics, organization development, intergovernmental
relations, and budgeting concepts and techniques. UNT Dallas faculty in the Public
Leadership and Administration program use the cutting-edge “community as the classroom”
model that connects students with real-world practitioners. Students collaborate directly
with local community organizations to systematically develop solutions for the challenges
facing governments today.
Career Options
- City Manager
- Budget/Fiscal Manager
- Program Director
- Operations Manager
- Public Affairs Director
- Research Specialist
- Urban Planner
- Consultant
- Law enforcement
- Parks and recreation management
- Public affairs and communications
- Transportation management
- Urban planning and policy
- Utilities management
- Waste management
- Administrator
Nonprofit and Community Leadership
The Nonprofit and Community Leadership concentration within the UNT Dallas Public
Leadership and Administration master’s degree program prepares students to deliver
effective fundraising, leadership and financial management to improve a nonprofit
organization. The nonprofit sector is growing with more than 1.5 million organizations
in the United States. These organizations play an integral role in the economic, political
and social structure of our nation and the global community. UNT Dallas students in
the Nonprofit and Community Leadership concentration will gain the skills and experience
to advance a wide agenda of causes, from human rights to environmental causes, to
third-world economic development. UNT Dallas students in the Nonprofit and Community
Leadership concentration will work directly with nonprofit organizations, mobilize
community efforts and learn how to measure the effectiveness of these programs.
Career Options
- CEOs and Executive Directors
- Chief Operating Officers
- Fundraising Executives
- Volunteer Managers
- Program Managers
- Community Outreach
- Foundation Directors
- Policy Analysts
- Advocacy
Public Health Leadership
The Public Health Leadership concentration within the UNT Dallas Public Leadership
and Administration master’s degree program prepares leaders and professionals with
a passion for the health care sector to create transformational change in health systems
and serve the greater good. A master’s degree in the Public Health Leadership concentration
will make a difference not just in your life and career, but in the well-being of
your community. Students will interact with leaders in the health care space and local
governments, mobilize communities on pertinent health care issues, and conduct research
that directly impacts health services and patient outcomes. UNT Dallas’ faculty is
committed to helping people in need through public health service, and will guide
students to a deeper understanding of the issues and challenges our communities face.
Career Options
- Healthcare Strategist
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Health Systems manager
- Social and community service manager
- Health promotion specialist
- Community Health Specialist
- Project Manager
- Health Department Administrator
- Government Policy Analyst
- Health Education Specialist
- Health Promotion Coordinator
- Public Relations Manager
- Health Research Analyst
- Health Policy Analyst
- Health Services Manager
Emergency Services Administration
The Emergency Services Administration (ESA) concentration within the UNT Dallas Public
Leadership and Administration master’s degree program is offered completely online,
and prepares students for organizational leadership and senior-level positions across
the emergency services sector. The program blends theory, practice, research and policy
with knowledge, abilities, skills and strategies to take on the demanding management
and administration responsibilities in the emergency services profession. UNT Dallas
students in the ESA concentration learn from distinguished faculty and work on real-world
cases and projects, interact regularly with professionals and are equipped to manage
the evolving nature of the highly competitive emergency services professions. These
professions increasingly require personnel to further their education to attain promotion
and keep up with technical advances. A UNT Dallas master’s degree in Public Leadership
and Administration with an ESA concentration will set you apart.
Career Options
- Emergency Services Director
- Hospital Emergency Preparedness Administrator
- Policy Analyst
- Humanitarian Response Manager
- Fire Chief
- Fire Marshal
- Fire Investigator
- Fire/EMS Training Coordinator
- Fire/EMS Instructor
- Fire/EMS Field Training Officer
- Emergency Management Coordinators
- Private/Public Sector Safety Personnel
- Private/Public Sector Rescue Technician
- Private/Public Sector Hazardous Materials Specialist
- Insurance Company Investigator