Public Administration Undergraduate Programs

329 BROWN HALL/(320) 308-5423

A program of the Department of Political Science.
Also see College of Social Sciences description and requirements.

Faculty committee: Coordinator: Steven C. Wagner. Members: Bodelson, Brazier, Frank, Wagner.

The B.A. program in public administration is primarily intended to prepare students as administrators with governments in the United States. It orients students toward the public management profession by combining core course work in political science with electives in business and liberal arts. Political science courses provide knowledge about the unique environment within which government personnel work. Business administration courses provide training in management techniques applicable in both the private and public sector. Liberal arts courses encourage students to experiment with public administration related knowledge from a variety of academic fields. A required capstone internship with government or not for profit organizations provides the student with the practical experience necessary to perform well in future occupational settings.

In order to be admitted to the public administration major, a student must already have completed ENGL 191, CMST 192, and POL 195 with a "C" or better in each course. The student must also submit a transcript or course summary, a personal goal statement, and a justification for the proposed major program to a major adviser. See the Department of Political Science Office for directions on the application process. Students with less clear career goals may select a combination of courses for a generalist background. The adviser will only approve a program consistent with National Association of Schools of Public Administration and Affairs (NASPAA) guidelines. Students with more specific career goals may elect one of five specializations.

The department strongly advises that the student enroll in the major no later than the first semester of the junior year. The department expects a transfer student to make application as soon after admission to the university as is possible. After the student acquires a specified number of credits, the university prohibits advance registration for classes without admission to a major. Several factors dictate a need for careful planning and advising. Maximum benefit from some courses may be derived only if they are taken in a proper sequence. Many upper level courses in the major are offered only in alternate years. Admission to business courses will not be permitted until after the student has been admitted to a major. Since the internship experience is the heart of the major, all students should carefully prepare for that experience. Internship requirements, including prerequisites, should be obtained by the student when applying for the major.

A student may apply to the Political Science Department chairperson to pursue the Public Administration honors program. Upon successful completion of this process, a notation of departmental honors will appear on the student's transcript at graduation. See the political science program description for honors requirements.

Bachelor of Arts

Public Administration Major (48)
Required Core: (33 credits)
POL 195, 201, 312, 380, 444 (9 Credits), 481, 482, 484+, and 489
Electives (15 credits): Students may choose either a generalist or specialist approach.

Generalist:
Choose one course from each area with the major adviser's approval:
Political-Legal-Economic-Social Systems:
ECON 460+, 461+, 465+; POL 311, 313, 485, 491, 492; SOC 389+
Human Behavior-Individual, Group, Organizational:
MGMT 301, 365, 467; PSY 378+; CMST 441; SOC 456+
Analytic and Quantitative Skills:
ACCT 291; BCIS 150, 242; CSCI 169; CNA 302+; POL 486, 499, SOC 303+
Administrative Management Systems:
ECON 417+; FIRE 371, 375; MGMT 352+; POL 483, 488
Communication Skills:
BCIS 255+, 340+; ENGL 332, 432+; CMST 211, 341.

Specializations
Health Administration: POL 488 required; choose four from the following with the major adviser's approval: ACCT 291*, 292*; BCIS 340+; GERO 208*, 411; HLTH 250; CNA 302+; POL 486.

*These courses are not required in the major but will meet licensure requirements for extended care facility administration. See major adviser for all licensing requirements. Students wishing to enter extended care facility administration are advised to consider a gerontology minor.

Local and Community Economic Development Administration:
POL 483 required; choose four from the following with approval of major adviser: ACCT 291; ECON 461+, 465+; FIRE 378; GEOG 394; MGMT 451+; MKTG 419+; POL 311, 313; CMST 211; CMTY 350 (consent of major adviser). Students who wish to take a minor should consider the following: economics; geography; finance, insurance, and real estate; local and urban affairs; and microcomputer studies.

Nonprofit Management:
POL 487 required; choose four from the following with approval of the major adviser: ACCT 291*; BCIS 150*, 255+, 340+; ECON 420*+; ENGL 332, 432; MKTG 419*+; POL 486*; CMST 211*, 341; SOC 456*+. *Recommended courses.

Public Financial Administration:
Choose five from the following with approval of major adviser: ACCT 291, 292+; BCIS 242; ECON 460+ or 461+, 465+; FIRE 371, 373, 375; CNA 302+; POL 486; CMST 211. Students who wish to take a minor should consider the following: accounting; economics; finance, insurance, and real estate; and microcomputer studies.

Public Personnel Administration:
Choose five from the following with approval of major adviser: ECON 473*+; FIRE 375*, 480+; MGMT 352+, 450*+, 451 *+, 452+, POL 485*, 492; PSY 360+. 469+; CMST 242*, 341. *Recommended courses.

Note: Courses with a + have prerequisites that are not required in the major. Admission to a major is a prerequisite for all business courses; students must have at least 60 credits and a minimum 2.65 grade point for admission to 300-400 level business courses. It is expected that a student will have completed POL 195 and 201 before taking 400 level political science courses in public administration.

Public Administration Minor (18)
Required: POL 195, 201, 380, 482, 484, 481 or 489. A student may count no more than 9 credits towards a public administration minor from courses used to fulfill requirements in other majors or minors.