Public Administration, B.P.A.

Why Study Public Administration?

A public administration degree provides a strong foundation in essential areas like administrative law, ethics, and leadership, helping students achieve their career goals in a competitive job market. Park’s BPA program offers practical insights into the challenges faced by government and nonprofit leaders and allows students to tailor their education through specialized concentrations. With many public sector jobs found at the state and local levels, graduates are well-prepared for roles in city management and nonprofit leadership. The Bachelor of Public Administration offers a streamlined path to a master’s degree through a 4+1 program, allowing students to accelerate their education and career advancement.

What You’ll Learn

• In a public administration degree, you will explore the structure and evolving roles of national, state, and local governments, learning how each branch and level operates and interacts with the public. You’ll gain insights into the challenges faced by municipal governments and how policies are implemented across jurisdictions.
• You’ll study how public policy is developed and administered within bureaucratic systems, with a focus on governance, citizen engagement, and ethical responsibilities in public service. Courses also examine how public organizations interact with the private and nonprofit sectors.
• The bachelor’s degree in public administration program covers essential management functions in public organizations, including personnel administration, budgeting, organizational structure, and decision-making. You’ll learn to address real-world challenges related to labor relations, merit systems, ethics, and fiscal policy.
• Through research projects and case studies, you’ll apply analytical tools and critical thinking to examine public issues and administrative practices. This experience helps you apply theoretical knowledge to decision-making, problem-solving, and policy evaluation in public sector contexts.
• Depending on the area of concentration you choose, you can gain specialized knowledge tailored to specific public sector fields. For example, you might study business operations in public organizations, explore criminal justice systems, learn leadership in fire service management, examine strategies in homeland security, or focus on serving communities through public service.