Public Administration

students sitting in the Library patio

What is Public Administration?

Public Administration is the work of implementing government policies and programs that serve our communities and the public good. Public Administration includes a wide range of public services, including public schools and colleges, the military, policing, public safety, and homeland security, public transportation and infrastructure, the criminal justice system, public health systems, environmental and wildlife management, public housing and welfare services, local city services…the list goes on!

Why should I major in Public Administration (PUB)?

Two words: Opportunity and Public Service

Mission

Is to provide high quality professional education for leadership in public affairs and administration.

About the B.S. in Public Administration

The Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration is designed to provide professional preparation for public sector managers. The degree program requires:

  1. Completion of core courses of public administration & public policy students;
  2. A concentration;
  3. Two additional courses for breadth.

The Bachelor of Science in Public Administration degree is a single-field major, which means that students are not required to complete a minor for graduation.

To learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Public Administration degree's roadmap, please click here.

Degree Requirements

All new majors are classified as “pre-public administration majors” until lower-division requirements are met. Upper division advanced and concentration courses are available only to declared Public Administration majors.

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Public Administration consists of:

  • General Education Requirement 
  • Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement
  • Major Requirement
  • Elective Requirement 

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration.

View the Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree from CSUDH.

 

Program Learning Outcomes

The PUB Program Learning Outcomes are aligned with CSUDH Undergraduate Institutional Learning Outcomes. Upon completion of the B.S. in PUB, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate effective leadership, communication, and collaboration skills in public management (Communication & Disciplinary Proficiency).
  2. Evaluate the environment and operation of public administration in the policy making process (Disciplinary Proficiency).
  3. Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills in public policy making (Critical Thinking).
  4. Demonstrate comprehension and application of public service ethics (Engaged Citizenry).
  5. Integrate current information technologies to examine public administration or policy issues (Information Literacy).
  6. Explain diversity in public administration and apply this knowledge in a multicultural and global environment (Engaged Citizenry).

Careers & Opportunities

There are nearly 23 million government employees in the U.S. Teachers, soldiers, police officers, parks and recreation employees, hospital workers, transportation workers! Most are directly serving the people. Nearly half work in education — from K-12 to community colleges to public research universities. And roughly 10 percent are active-duty military or involved in police protection.

Career opportunities for Public Administration graduates include public and nonprofit jobs ranging from law enforcement and human services to education and transportation. In the private sector, many companies actively promote community-oriented public service initiatives and hire public affair specialists.

The undergraduate degree in Public Administration also provides a solid foundation for employment with public and nonprofit organizations, utility companies, private firms, and hospitals. The degrees also offers strong pre-law preparation for students interested in law school and careers in law.

Minor in Public Administration

The minor in Public Administration is comprised 15 units (6 required units and 9 elective units). 

Interested in a Master's Program?

The CSUDH Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a globally accredited program by NASPAA that provides students with the educational background and professional competencies needed to secure administrative/managerial positions in a variety of public sector and nonprofit organizations, or in private firms with close ties to governments and public service, such as utilities or defense contractors.

The majority of MPA students at CSUDH are already employed by public, private, or nonprofit agencies when they begin their graduate education, and use their master's degrees for professional advancement within their organizations. Other students with limited work or managerial experience use the MPA degree to obtain entry-level management or administrative positions. Many other students use the MPA degree as preparation for doctoral study and careers as professors and researchers. 

Student Associations

Pi Alpha Alpha is a national honor society that recognizes the academic accomplishments of outstanding students in the field of public administration. The CSUDH Chapter of the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society was chartered in 1981 and has a membership of more than 100 students and alumni. For further information, go to the CSUDH Pi Alpha Alpha Chapter's website. Please contact PAA Advisor, Dr. Rui Sun via email at rsun@csudh.edu.

Facilities

Computing & Communication Facilities

Courses are taught mostly in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Building. The building has several computer labs with computers connected to the Internet. Every classroom in the building has a direct connection to the Internet, allowing in-class demonstration and experimentation during all information system class sessions.