2015-2016

Public Administration, Bachelor

Public Administration and Justice Studies

Extended Campuses

This degree provides you with knowledge and skills specifically designed for careers in government policy and administration. This degree helps you gain the insights needed to plan and formulate policy as well as manage, organize, and implement operations in the public arena.

Your degree program will focus on organizational governance, finance, and administration. With this specialization, you can find jobs in local, state, or federal government; public service sectors, such as fire and rescue or health care; and non-profit organizations, such as arts or international relief agencies.

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2024

  • 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

  • Completion of Science or Language Requirements

  • Up to 9 units of specialization prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy specialization requirements.

  • 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
Major GPA C
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Foreign Language Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required
Progression Plan Link Not Available

Liberal Studies Requirement
    • Students with a completed AGEC from Arizona Community Colleges will have met the 35 units of liberal studies requirements.
    • Students with a completed IGETC from a California Community College will have met the 35 units of liberal studies requirements.
    • Up to 9 units of specialization prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy specialization requirements.
Major Requirements

  • Language or Science Requirement Option (12-16 units)

  • Foreign Language Requirement (16 units)

    You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or by testing out of all or part of it by taking CLEP exams.

  • OR

  • Science Requirement (12 units)

    Select from the following:

    • ANT 101, ANT 250
    • GSP 130, GSP 150
    • Courses with Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Geology, Mathematics, Nutrition, Physical Science, Physics, Statistics prefixes. Please note that 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 from the following academic disciplines: Business Administration, 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 advisor 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.)
Additional Information

  • 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.