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B.A. in Public Administration

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration degree is excellent preparation for individuals who wish to pursue careers in local, state, or federal government; nonprofit organizations; the private sector; or international affairs. Career paths may lead to jobs in housing and community development, intergovernmental relations, nonprofit management, public finance, training, transportation, public policy analysis, and environmental organizations. In addition, the degree builds a solid foundation for future graduate work.

The degree is structured around two concentrations (students choose one):

  • Public Sector Management emphasizes the legislative, organizational, and financial aspects of public administration. Courses provide theoretical and practical examinations of federal, state, and local governments in relation to business, labor, and communities. Basic managerial and finance courses are geared toward the public sector.
  • Public Policy examines policy at all three levels of government: federal, state, and local. It covers topics such as federalism, the structure of state and local government, state constitutions, state legislatures, public budgeting, as well as environmental, transportation, and health planning, policy, and service delivery.

We recommend that students complete the McGhee Core Curriculum before the following requirements.

Core Curriculum (32-34 Credits)

Required Liberal Arts Courses (24 Credits)

Introduction to Macroeconomics / Y10.0301 4
Introduction to Microeconomics / Y10.0341 4
Statistical Methods for Business / Y10.1172 4
Modern Political Thought / Y20.6602 4
American Politics / Y20.6604 4
Public Administration Ethics / Y20.6671 4
Introduction to Public Administration / Y20.6680 4

Required Public Administration Major Courses (48 Credits)

Methods and Theory Courses (8 Credits)

Social Sciences Research Methods / Y26.7241 4
Public Policy Analysis / Y27.6601 4

Public Aministration Major Requirements (20 credits)

Students select five upper division Public Administration courses (see concentration listings and course selections) listed below in consultation with their advisor.

The Global Economy / Y26.0343 4
Urban Economics and Public Policy / Y26.0363 4
Cities and Urban Life / Y26.5051 4
Comparative Political Systems / Y26.6601 4
New York City and State Politics / Y26.6641 4
Globalization and Public Policy / Y27.6650 4
International Organizations / Y26.6662 4
Culture, Tourism, and Development / Y26.7902 4
Internship in Public Administration / Y27.7940 4
Special Topics In Public Administration / Y27.7990 4

Concentration (16 Credits)

Students select four courses in one of the following concentrations in consultation with their advisor:

Public Sector Management

Government and Business / Y26.6650 4
State and Local Government / Y27.6653 4
Public Personnel Management / Y27.6661 4
Organizational Theory for Government and Public Organizations / Y27.6624 4
Decision Making in the Public Sector / Y27.6625 4

Public Policy

Environmental Planning and Policy / Y27.6640 4
Economic Development Planning and Policy / Y27.6642 4
The Planning Process / Y27.6644 4
Transportation Planning Policy / Y27.6645 4
Health Planning and Policy / Y27.6651 4
Formation and Analysis of Education Policy / Y27.6652 4
U.S. Foreign Policy / Y26.6653 4

Graduation Project (4 Credits)

Students must complete Methods and Theory courses and their Concentration Courses before enrolling in Senior Project. Students select one option in consultation with their advisor.

Senior Project Seminar: In Public Administration / Y27.7991 4
Senior Project Internship: In Public Administration / Y27.7992 4

Free Electives (24 Credits)

Students select 24 credits from McGhee course offerings in consultation with their advisor.