One of the key components in any MGA degree program is the study of finance, particularly with regard to good financial practice and the managing of public funds. Typically MGA graduates go on to work at very large institutions which have very large annual budgets. These budgets come from the public purse -- that is, the taxpayers -- and a large degree of political and public scrutiny is attached to their granting, use and allocation. MGA degree programs teach the special requirements involved in dealing with money in such environments as well as the basics of sound financial practice models.
MGA graduates will be working in very political environments that are subject to public and media scrutiny as well as the machinations, changeable workings and demands of politics. Students need to understand the basics of political structures and models and the basic principles of governance, particularly as it pertains to a modern democratic state.
Graduates with MGAs often work in positions of great responsibility and are responsible for managing budgets, public relations, political representatives and employees. An MGA will prepare them for this by teaching basic management skills required by anyone in such positions, such as human resources management, leadership skills, law, ethics and basic business practice.
MGA degree courses usually have a quantitative analysis component to the course structure. Graduate students learn statistical models of public governance and financial stewardship. They also learn basic facts and statistics related to the public services and the running of modern public administration. Policy analysis skills and economic analysis are taught in most MGA programs.