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 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 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 Curriculum
The UNT Dallas master’s degree in Public Leadership 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 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
UNT Dallas Public Leadership Concentrations
Administrative Leadership
The Administrative Leadership concentration within the UNT Dallas Public Leadership
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 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 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
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 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 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