M.S. in Public Leadership and Administration

Build stronger communities.
The Administrative Leadership path prepares you to shape policy, manage public organizations, and drive community impact. You’ll build skills in budgeting, ethics, economic development, and organizational leadership, and then put them to work through real projects with local governments and nonprofits.
This hands-on approach, known as “community as the classroom,” provides you with real-world experience while helping to solve today’s most pressing public sector challenges.
Career paths may include:

• 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

Make change happen.

This path prepares you to lead mission-driven organizations with confidence. You’ll build skills in fundraising, financial management, program evaluation, and community engagement. You’ll learn everything today’s nonprofit leaders need to succeed.

Work directly with nonprofits as you learn to mobilize support, measure impact, and champion causes like human rights, environmental justice, and global development. With over 1.5 million nonprofits in the U.S. alone, the need for skilled leaders has never been greater.

Career paths may include:

• CEOs and Executive Directors
• Chief Operating Officers
• Fundraising Executives
• Volunteer Managers
• Program Managers
• Community Outreach
• Foundation Directors
• Policy Analysts
• Advocacy

Change health systems for good.

The Public Health Leadership path is designed for those who want to drive real change in healthcare and community wellness. You’ll build skills in health policy, program design, and community engagement—while working on real issues that impact lives.

Collaborate with health care leaders, local governments, and public health professionals as you explore ways to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and strengthen the systems people rely on most.

Career paths may include:

• 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

Lead in the moments that matter most.

The Emergency Services Administration path is entirely online and designed for current and aspiring leaders in fire, EMS, and emergency management. You’ll develop the advanced skills needed to lead teams, manage crises, and take on senior roles across the emergency services sector.

Courses blend leadership theory, policy, and real-world case studies that prepare you to navigate evolving challenges and stay ahead of the curve in a fast-changing, high-stakes field. You’ll learn from experienced faculty and collaborate with professionals already working in emergency response and public safety.

Career paths may include:

• Emergency Services Director
• Hospital Emergency Preparedness Administrator
• Policy Analyst
• Humanitarian Response Manager
• Fire Chief
• Fire Marshal
• Fire Investigator
• Fire/EMS Training Coordinator
• Fire/EMS InstructorFire/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

Want to lead in government or public service? The Graduate Certificate in Public Management at UNT Dallas helps you build the real-world skills you need to step into leadership roles or level up in the one you already have. You’ll gain in-demand expertise in areas like strategic planning, contract negotiation, performance measurement, and more, so you’re ready to make smart decisions and drive real impact in the public sector.

Job Market Highlights:

• Average Public Manager salary in Dallas: $95,596/year (ZipRecruiter)
• Salary range: $64K–$104K, with top earners making up to $134K
• Public Service Manager average: $125,549/year (Salary.com)

Student Demand & Community Interest:

• 100+ participants in Urban SERCH leadership workshops over 5 years
• 50+ public sector professionals engaged in recent governance training
• Offers affordable, skill-based training from a trusted public leadership program

Program Length: 12 credit hours

Courses Required: (all courses are 3 credit hours)

• PLDR 5370 – Strategic Planning in Public & Nonprofit Organizations (Online)
• PLDR 5020 – Leading and Managing Public Organizations (Hybrid, Saturday)
• PLDR 5350 – Performance Measurement and Management (Online)
• PLDR 5340 – Intergovernmental Relations and Management (Hybrid, Saturday)
  OR PLDR 5354 – Public Private Partnerships (Online)

Requirements:  

• Letter of Recommendation: 1 Letter of reference
• Essay: statement of how the individual plans to use the certificate to advance their career in public management.

Note: Students enrolled in the Public Leadership and Administration master's degree program with an administrative leadership concentration should not be enrolled in the Certificate in Public Management program.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management at UNT Dallas gives you the tools to lead with impact. Whether you're already working in the nonprofit world or just getting started, this certificate builds must-have skills in grant writing, fundraising, advocacy, program evaluation, and more—so you can grow your career while doing work that matters.

Job Market Highlights:

Avg. salary: $150K/year in Dallas (ZipRecruiter)Program Manager II avg.: $98K/year in Texas (Salary.com)Typical range: $86K–$113K, with top earners at $126K

Student Demand:

• 400+ individuals trained in nonprofit workshops
• 100+ nonprofits sent staff to UNT Dallas
• Affordable, practical training for nonprofit leaders

Program Length: 12 credit hours

Courses Required: (all courses are 3 credit hours)

• PLDR 5335 – Nonprofit Leadership and Management (Hybrid, Saturday)
• PLDR 5325 – Fundraising Principles and Grant Writing (Hybrid, Saturday)
• PLDR 5550 – Program Evaluation (Online)
• PLDR 5375 – Citizen Engagement, Advocacy, and Community Leadership (Hybrid, Saturday)

Requirements:  

• Letter of Recommendation: 1 Letter of reference
• Essay: statement of how the individual plans to use the certificate to advance their career in nonprofit management.

Note: Students enrolled in the Public Leadership and Administration master's degree program with a concentration in nonprofit leadership should not be enrolled in the Certificate in Nonprofit Management program