MPA: The central purpose of the MPA program at the University of Georgia is to educate students for professional careers in management and administration in government and nonprofit organizations. The program is open to students without previous public service experience as well as students employed in the public sector who are seeking to advance their careers. While normally a terminal professional degree, some graduates of the MPA program have entered PhD or other programs and have assumed academic careers. PHD: Scholars trained in our Ph.D. program in Public Administration typically become contributing members of the academy and will focus their skills on the enduring questions of the field. They will also assist in training new students who are specializing in public administration at the masters degree level and are preparing for leadership positions in the government service.