Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Politics and International Affairs

Public Administration, Bachelor


Academic Information

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

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.

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Politics and International Affairs

Public Administration, Bachelor


Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor in Public Administration?

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Administrative Specialist
  • Non-profit program manager
  • Program coordinator
  • Executive assistant

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

Public Administration, Bachelor


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Politics and International Affairs

Public Administration, Bachelor


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

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
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's degree focuses on experiential learning that links theory to issues that students are likely to encounter in the workplace. The degree allows students to transfer up to 64 credit hours to satisfy the 120 credit hours needed for the degree. Coursework for the bachelor's degree is designed to allow the student to acquire a general knowledge of leadership and management, ethics, and policy issues.

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 program focus on ethics, leadership and management, 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, particularly through the evaluation of case studies.

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 program courses expand knowledge and skills, and allow 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

Understand the importance of leadership in public sector organizations, and have the ability and knowledge to demonstrate and practice leadership concepts and skills learned in the Public Administration program throughout their careers.

Understand the paramount importance of ethics in public sector organizations, and how ethics impacts not only the performance of public agencies but also the perception within which they function.  They will also have the ability and knowledge to demonstrate and practice the ethical concepts and skills learned while in the PADM program.       Demonstrate critical thinking by linking theoretical propositions and concepts in PADM course readings to the analysis of problems or situations.Describe the budgeting process in the public sectorAbility to communicate effectively in a professional and academic setting, demonstrating an ability to produce well written (Standard English) documents, befitting of a public sector professional.                   

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Academic Catalog - 2023-2024

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Politics and International Affairs

Public Administration, Bachelor


Details

Liberal Studies Requirement
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

Public Administration, Bachelor


Campus Availability

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