2013-2014

Public Administration, Bachelor of Science

Public Administration and Justice Studies

Extended Campuses

A bachelor's degree in Public Administration allows you to gain an understanding of leadership, management, ethics, budgets, critical thinking, and problem solving. This degree plan emphasizes experiential learning by linking theory to specific problems and case studies. This program will provide you with the knowledge and skills applicable to careers in the public, non-profit and private sectors. A public administration degree can also prepare you for graduate school.

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2014

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • 36 units of major requirements
  • 12 units of science requirement
  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Foreign Language Optional
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Research Required
Study Abroad Optional
University Honors Program Optional
Progression Plan Link Not Available

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

Major Requirements
  • Science Requirement  (12 units)
    Take at least 12 units from courses with Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Finance, Geographic Science & Community Planning, Geography, Geology, Health and Human Services, Health Sciences, Mathematics, Marketing, Nutrition Science, Physics, Politics and International Affairs, Project Management, or Statistics prefixes. 

    Courses taken in the Science Requirement may not be used to satisfy any other requirements in the degree plan. All other courses must be approved by the program director.

General Electives
  • Additional  coursework is required if after you have met the previously described requirements you have not yet completed a total of 120 units.

    You may take these remaining courses fromt he following academic disciplines: Business Adminstration, Communication, Emergency Management, Forestry, Health and Human Services, Justice Studies, Parks and Recreation, Politics and International affairs, and Project Management, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your adivsor to select courses. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives in the above listed academic  disciplines if they were not used to meet major or liberal studies requirements. 

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.