Academic Programs - Public Administration Program

Public Administration Program ( 33 semester hours)

More about the program

For students interested in pursuing careers in government, business, or non-profit organizations, the department offers a Public Administration Program. This program is similar to the regular political science major but includes more specific course requirements and approved cognate courses outside the department.

Getting into the program

To be admitted to the Public Administration Program a student must have completed one (non interim term) political science course with a minimum grade of C (2.0).

Meeting the program requirements to graduate

To graduate from this program you must take the following courses:

  • American Politics (101)
  • State and Local Politics (202) or Urban Politics (208)
  • International Politics (207)
  • Public Administration (209)
  • American Public Policy (212)
  • Political Ideas in Historical Perspective (240)
  • Methods of Political Analysis (251)
  • one course from 102, 271, 272, 275, 276, 277, or 279
  • one course from 314, 317, or 318
  • an internship in either state/local government or Washington DC
  • four approved cognate courses in Business/Economics (recommended: Business 203, 204, 260; Economics 151, 221, 222, 339).
  • one political science elective if necessary to complete the 33 hour major requirement
Getting internship experience

Political science majors, particularly those who do not anticipate pursuing either law school or some graduate program shortly after graduation, are encouraged to enroll in internship programs.

The department offers 8 semester hours of internship credit in state and local government (380), as well as internships through our Washington, DC semester program.

Graduating with honors

To graduate with honors in political science, you must:

  • Maintain an overall mimumum 3.5 GPA
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 in courses within the major
  • Complete 6 (18 hours) courses for honors credit, with a minimum of four honors courses within the major.
  • Complete an honors thesis to be reviewed by two faculty members. This is normally done through political science course 399.
  • Earn at least a B+ in each political science honors course you take.
  • Make a formal commitment to graduate with honors by March of your junior year. Contact honors advisor Corwin Smidt.

Additional information: