Dec 11, 2024  
2023-2024 University Catalog 
    
2023-2024 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Public Administration, B.A.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Degree Programs

(120 UNITS)

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration prepares students for service in public agencies or nonprofit organizations. Students study the larger political environment of public service and the concepts and goals that underline such functions as budgeting, personnel, policy analysis and management. Specifically, the curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of factual knowledge about the role and function of the public and nonprofit sectors of society, including: understanding the role of the administrative function in political system; the role of personnel administration, public budgeting and finance in creating and implementing public policy; the role of public administration professionals as participants in creating and implementing public policy; and different models of politics and governance as they relate to the role of administrative agencies and processes, particularly their role in democratic systems. The program prepares students for employment in government.

In addition to the requirements for the major, students must meet all other university requirements for a bachelor’s degree. Please consult the Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree  section in this catalog for complete information.

Internship Requirement (3 units)


May be waived for students who have administrative experience in the public sector.

Related Fields (9 units)


Select upper-division courses from the related disciplines, below.

  • Accounting
  • African American Studies
  • Aging Studies
  • American Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Asian American Studies
  • Chicano Studies
  • Communications
  • Criminal Justice
  • Economics
  • Environmental Studies
  • Finance
  • Geography and the Environment
  • History
  • Human Communication Studies
  • Human Services
  • Information Systems and Decision Sciences
  • Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Sociology
  • Women and Gender Studies

Writing Requirement


Majors must successfully complete POSC 421  and POSC 422 /CRJU 422  to satisfy the upper-division writing requirement. A “C” (2.0) or better is required.

Total (120 units)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Degree Programs