Department of Public Policy and Administration
College of Liberal Arts
PPAD is the historically principal unit at Jackson State University which educates persons primarily for careers in the fields of public management and policy analysis and for service in public, non-profit and “quasi-public” organizations. Concomitantly, it is also the mission of the Department to serve as a resource to the Jackson State community, the State of Mississippi, the nation and developing areas throughout the world.
What Our Alumni Are Saying
Why a Masters in Public Policy & Administration (MPPA) at Jackson State University
According to 2025 Alumni Survey of Program Graduates between 2014 and 2024:
- 86% of respondents said that the MPPA Degree was very significant or significant in obtaining their first new job
- 52.2% said the degree help them to obtain a better job
- 81% reported being promoted within their organization
- Alumni report significant increases of $10,000 to $20,000 in their salary after receiving the degree.
- 88% are employed full time:
- 28% in state or regional government
- 23% in the federal or national government
- 13% in city, county, or other local governments
- 11% in nonprofit nongovernmental organizations
- Where they are working:
- 15% in education
- 14% in public health
- 9.1% in human or social services
- 8% in advocacy and lobbying
- 5% in infrastructure/transportation/utilities
- 5% in community or economic development
- 5% in security, military, law enforcement or corrections
- 3% arts and culture
- 7% Local government or regional issues
- The kinds of work alumni are doing:
- Supervision
- Program development, implementation and evaluation
- Budget administration
- Contract management
- Human resource management
- Reported high rates of job satisfaction (extremely satisfied or satisfied):
- Work environment (91%)
- Opportunities to be promoted (78%)
- Salary (77%)
- Level of Challenge (91%)
- Degree of Autonomy (84.%)
- Variety of job tasks (87%)
- Level of responsibility (91%)
- Value to society (91%)
PERSONNEL
READY TO JOIN?
For more information, please contact us at (601) 979-8783. We look forward to meeting with you and seeing how our program can help you achieve your goals.

