The Government and Public Administration cluster is about using your passion for public service to prepare to work in a diverse array of jobs found in local, state, and federal government. Virtually every occupation can be 
found within this field. You may help protect our country, represent our interests abroad, or pass and enforce laws.
Government & Public Administration Career Cluster PDF
Middle School Courses
No Courses at this time
High School Courses
Do You Like To…
- Make a difference in your community?
- Practice excellent active listening skills?
- Put people at ease and give them a sense of safety?
- Pay attention to detail?
- Communicate effectively with others?
Sample Careers
- Elected Official (City Council, Mayor,
- Governor, etc.)
- City Manager
- Lobbyist
- Legislative Assistant
- Military Member (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard)
- Foreign Service, Diplomatic or Consular Officer
- Federal Aid Coordinator
- Tax Examiner
- Internal Revenue Agent or Investigator
- Auditor
- Bank Examiner
- Cargo or Border Inspector
- Child Support Officer
- Court Administrator
- City, County or Court Clerk
- Guardian Ad Litem
High school certifications, licenses and related college majors:
| High School/Industry Certifications | Certificate/License | College Degree Examples |
| NOCTI Administrative Services | Criminal Justice | |
| Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery Examination (ASVAB) | Public Administration and Affairs | |
| Legal Studies | ||
| Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Law Enforcement | ||
| Urban Planning |
In Demand Careers
| Education Needed | Occupation | Median Salary | Job Growth Over next 10 years | Job Openings Projected over next 10 years |
| High School Diploma + Certification | Court Reporters | $60,130 per year | 9% (Much faster than average) | 1,400 |
| Associates Degree | Paralegal | $51,740 per year | 10% (Much faster than average) | 35,300 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Political Scientists | $122,220 per year | 6% (Faster than average) | 400 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Financial Examiners | $81,090 per year | 7% (Faster than average) | 4,900 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Urban Planners | $74,350 per year | 11% (Much faster than average) | 4,400 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Social Workers | $50,470 per year | 13% (Much faster than average) | 90,700 |
Student Leadership Organizations
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education. The FCCLA helps students and teachers focus on a variety of youth concerns, including parenting, family relationships, substance abuse, peer pressure, sustainability, nutrition and fitness, teen violence, and career preparation in four specific Career Pathways.
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) is comprised of experiences related to students’ career interests, based on instructional preparation, and undertaken in partnership with local businesses or organizations. WBL enables students to apply classroom instruction in a real-world work environment. Work-Based Learning promotes Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Career Preparation.
Career Ambassadors
The Career Ambassador Program offers high school seniors an opportunity to represent and share their experiences with career exploration and our CTE programs to prospective students and community supporters through elementary school Career Fairs, middle school Career Clubs, and district-wide events.