Overview
The Public Administration program is appropriate for students pursuing public service careers in government, nonprofit organizations, and private sector firms providing services to governments. The program welcomes applications from recent undergraduates and experienced professionals seeking to develop and strengthen a broad set of administrative skills.
We are committed to providing access to our world-class programs, developing the professional workforce, and working with community partners. We inspire research, scholarship, and creative activity, while continuously enriching the educational experience for all of our students.
The mission of the Public Affairs program is to prepare students for professional public sector positions as well as prepare them for graduate education in Public Administration and other related academic disciplines. Public Affairs is a multi-disciplinary course of study which prepares students for leadership roles in local, state, national or international agencies of government, non-profit organizations and the private sector.
Our bachelor and master programs provide professional education for leadership and management by offering a broad-based core curriculum that covers the essentials of both leadership and management in social, economic, political, local, national, and increasingly international contexts. The broad-based core curriculum is required of all students and highlights the management and leadership requirements that must be tailored to different types of public organizations in which these administrative functions are performed.
Learning Outcomes
Students who earn a degree through the public affairs area of study are well-equipped to serve society through public service, civic engagement, political and government careers, public communications or non-profit service. Interdisciplinary study prepares students to operate in the public interest, addressing social issues and societal concerns.
The learning objectives for students designing concentrations within the public affairs area of study include:
- Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the major components of a personnel system within an organization, including the nuances of effective motivation, behavior, and management.
- Students will be able to articulate and apply a public service perspective in the demonstration of knowledge related to the structures, components, goals, and objectives of the public sector.
- Students are able to articulate and discuss the complex theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of subjects related to the student’s concentration, including the philosophy of American government.
- Students will be able to describe the policy process through the application of appropriate theories, including those related to the role of stakeholders, administrators, bureaucracies, and the challenges of administration.
- Students are able to articulate the historical origins of American government and the public institutions that are central to the student’s concentration. The student can discuss how these institutions compare to those of other countries, of other times or of varying jurisdictions within the United States.
- Students are able to analyze and evaluate evidence and arguments about social issues related to their concentration and are able to apply problem-solving skills in discussing how the issues should be addressed.
- Public institutions operate within a legal environment and are affected by – if not part of the process of creating – public policy. Students are able to articulate and discuss how these factors affect their areas of concentration.
- Students in public affairs are able to articulate and discuss the economic and financial environments as they relate to the concentration.
- Students are able to examine and discuss the perspectives of the diverse constituencies addressed by their concentration.
- Students are able to communicate their perspectives effectively to multiple audiences, both orally and in writing.
- Students will be able to participate in the policy process by demonstrating the ability to find and use a variety of appropriate resources to research policy issues.
- Students will be able to identify and assess ethical problems in public administration, and create appropriate solutions based on moral reasoning and public service values.
- Students are able to gather and analyze relevant information, evaluate evidence and reach well-reasoned conclusions and/or make sound judgments.
- Students will be able to participate in the policy process through the analysis and application of quantitative and qualitative empirical evidence to determine the effectiveness of a public policy or program.
- Students will be able to conduct and evaluate survey research, identify strengths and weaknesses in research design, and articulate an understanding of both substantive and statistical significance.
- Students will be able to effectively communicate and productively interact with diverse teams and diverse communities.
- Students have acquired an understanding of a complex body of knowledge in relation to the concentration, including specific technical or scientific knowledge as appropriate to the concentration.
- Students are able to analyze ethical concerns related to the area of concentration and the values that society places on the development of public policy.
- Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to use graphical and tabular methods to summarize and interpret data, as well as analyze and interpret basic univariate and bivariate data.
- Students will be able to articulate and appreciate the value of diversity in the public sector and the communities it serves.
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
- Human Resources Management
- Local Government & Administration
- Planning & Budgeting Program
- Healthcare Management