Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Politics and International Affairs

Applied Science - Public Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science


Academic Information

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

If you have completed or will complete an associate degree from a community college, you may pursue this bachelor's degree.

Our goal in offering the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree is to provide you with a general knowledge of management, organizational, and policy issues and to advance your communication, computer, and quantitative skills. This degree also offers you the opportunity to complete a specialization that will broaden your career horizons, promote life-long learning, and enrich your life. Northern Arizona University offers this degree at selected campuses throughout Arizona.

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Politics and International Affairs

Applied Science - Public Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science


Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Administration?

A Bachelor of Applied Science 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, and can also prepare you for graduate and/or law school.
 

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Administrative Specialist
  • Non-profit Program Manager
  • Program Coordinator
  • Executive Assistant to the City Manager

With further education, one of these paths is possible:
  • City/County Manager
  • Management/Budget Analyst
  • Non-profit CEO
  • Performance Auditor

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Politics and International Affairs

Applied Science - Public Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Politics and International Affairs

Applied Science - Public Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Additional Admission Requirements Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Optional
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan Optional
Some online/blended coursework Required
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan

Purpose Statement

The mission of the Public Administration program is to prepare students to become effective and ethical managers in a variety of public service fields. As with other degrees in the Public Administration program, the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree focuses on experiential learning that links theory to issues that students are likely to encounter in the workplace. The BAS degree is intended for students who have completed an associates degree (or will have completed an associates degree by the time they are graduating with their BAS degree) and allows those students to transfer in courses from their associates degree program. Coursework in the BAS degree is designed to allow the student to acquire a general knowledge of management, organizational, and policy issues while advancing professional communication, computer, and quantitative skills.
 
Faculty in the Public Administration program are experienced practitioners who promote rigorous academic standards and high expectations for student achievement. Rather than teaching students what to think, faculty focus on developing analytical skills in course structures that allow students to be active participants in the education process. The core courses in the BAS degree focus on ethics, leadership and management, personnel administration, budgeting, public policy formation, organizational theory, research methods, and written communication skills. Courses offer theoretical perspectives as a foundation from which students can analyze and apply ideas to real-world situations.
 
Graduates of the program will be prepared to work in public, non-profit, and private sector organizations; the degree also serves as a platform for students who wish to pursue graduate degrees. For those students already working in the field, the BAS degree expands knowledge and skills, and allows for advancement in their careers. Graduates of the Public Administration program will have developed abilities to be dynamic and ethical leaders who are prepared to face the challenges of rapidly changing organizational environments. Above all, they will be committed to effectively and competently serving the public good.
  
Student Learning Outcomes

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Politics and International Affairs

Applied Science - Public Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science


Details

Additional Admission Requirements
Liberal Studies Requirement
Transfer Block
Major Requirements
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program
General Electives
Additional Information
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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Politics and International Affairs

Applied Science - Public Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science


Campus Availability

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