Program Overview

Public Policy Administration BSPPA, Public Administration Emphasis

Overview

The BSPPA degree is designed for students who are interested in working in government or nonprofit organizations, and who have a passion for making a positive impact on society. In this program, students gain understanding of public and nonprofit administration and policymaking in the United States. Students will develop skills for leading in public and nonprofit organizations, and will have the chance to utilize those skills through an internship. The public administration emphasis area focuses explicitly on the administrative and leadership concerns of government organizations and prepares students to work and manage in the public sector.

Requirements

• Majors must satisfy the university and college general education requirements.
• Political science courses may be used to satisfy the social sciences requirement.
• All BSPPA majors must complete at least 33 but no more than 51 hours in political science.
• The following core curriculum is required of all BSPPA majors:
  • POL SCI 1100: Introduction to American Politics (MOTR POSC 101) - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 1500: Introduction to Comparative Politics (MOTR POSC 202) - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 3000: Political Analysis - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 2400: Public Administration - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 2420: Introduction to Public Policy - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 3940: Public Affairs Internship - 1-6 hours
  • POL SCI 4950: Senior Seminar in Political Science - 3 hours
  • ECON 1001: Principles of Microeconomics (MOTR ECON 102) - 3 hours
  • ECON 1002: Principles of Macroeconomics (MOTR ECON 101) - 3 hours
• Total Hours: 25-30
• In addition, students must provide a demonstration of computer proficiency through one of the following:
  • INFSYS 1800 Computers and Information Systems, extension courses, or other study approved by the BSPPA coordinator.
• BSPPA students may take a maximum of 3 hours of political science on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis, except for the following (which may not be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis):
  • POL SCI 1100: Introduction to American Politics (MOTR POSC 101) - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 1500: Introduction to Comparative Politics (MOTR POSC 202) - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 3000: Political Analysis - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 2400: Public Administration - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 2420: Introduction to Public Policy - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 3940: Public Affairs Internship - 1-6 hours
  • POL SCI 4950: Senior Seminar in Political Science - 3 hours

Public Administration Emphasis Area

In addition to the core curriculum requirements for all BSPPA majors, students in the public administration emphasis area are required to complete the following courses:

• POL SCI 2430: Public and Nonprofit Organizational Behavior - 3 hours
• POL SCI 3420: Public and Nonprofit Personnel Management - 3 hours
• POL SCI 3440: Public and Nonprofit Budgeting - 3 hours
• POL SCI 3450: Urban Administration - 3 hours
• Select at least one additional Political Science Course - 3 hours
• Total Hours: 15

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Explain the characteristics and impact of policy-making institutions and systems, including national, state, and local governments.
• Demonstrate an understanding of administrative systems and processes.
• Apply various methods, tools, and sources to answer important management and policy questions.
• Analyze policies, programs, and relevant issues, formulate evidence-based recommendations, and communicate them with clarity and coherence.
• Apply public policy administration knowledge and engage in real-world problem solving through an internship.
• Plan, execute, and defend a major research project.
• Demonstrate an understanding of theories, concepts, and practices relevant to public administration.
• Apply critical skills for working in public administration such as interpreting budget documents and making budget choices, creating communications plans, and developing recruitment and hiring policies.

Sample Four Year Plan

First Year

• Fall:
  • INTDSC 1003 - 1 hour
  • POL SCI 1100 - 3 hours
  • ENGL 1100 - 3 hours
  • MATH 1030 - 3 hours
  • EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences - 3 hours
  • EXPLORE - Humanities and Fine Arts - 3 hours
  • Total Hours: 16
• Spring:
  • POL SCI 1500 - 3 hours
  • ECON 1001 - 3 hours
  • CORE - Communication Proficiency - 3 hours
  • EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Total Hours: 15

Second Year

• Fall:
  • POL SCI 2400 - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 2430 - 3 hours
  • ECON 1002 - 3 hours
  • EXPLORE - Humanities and Fine Arts - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Total Hours: 15
• Spring:
  • POL SCI 2420 - 3 hours
  • INFSYS 1800 - 3 hours
  • EXPLORE - Humanities and Fine Arts - 3 hours
  • EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Total Hours: 15

Third Year

• Fall:
  • POL SCI 3000 - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 3420 - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Total Hours: 15
• Spring:
  • POL SCI 3440 - 3 hours
  • POL SCI 3450 - 3 hours
  • ENGL 3100 - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Total Hours: 15

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • POL SCI 3940 - 3 hours
  • POL SCI XXXX Policy and Institutions Course - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Total Hours: 15
• Spring:
  • POL SCI 4950 - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 3 hours
  • Elective or minor - 2 hours
  • Total Hours: 14
• Total Hours: 120