Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of General Studies in Public Administration
The undergraduate major in public administration offers students the necessary knowledge and skills for planning, implementing, and evaluating public programs. Students learn to think critically and analytically about public policy and will also acquire skills that make them more effective citizens in their own communities. Students can complete an internship for credit towards their degree. Past internship placements include: Johnson County, Kauffman Center, Harvesters, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, City of Roeland Park, YMCA, Governor’s Internship Program, Youth Volunteer Corps of Kansas City, America Reads and Army Corps of Engineers.
Undergraduate Admission
Admission to KU
All students applying for admission must send high school and college transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Prospective first-year students should be aware that KU has qualified admission requirements that all new first-year students must meet to be admitted. Consult the Office of Admissions for application deadlines and specific admission requirements.
Visit the International Support Services for information about international admissions.
Students considering transferring to KU may see how their college-level course work will transfer on the Office of the University Registrar website.
Requirements for the B.A. or B.G.S. Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core 34 General Education | 34 | |
| The KU Core 34 is comprised of 34-35 credit hours typically completed during the first two years of study. The Core 34 consists of the following requirements: English (6), Communications (3), Math & Statistics (3), Natural & Physical Sciences with lab (4-5), Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 in two different disciplines), Arts & Humanities (6 in two different disciplines), US Culture (3), and Global Culture (3) | ||
MATH 107 Introduction to Statistics is the designated "math pathway" course. This course will fulfill your Core 34 Math and Statistics requirement. | ||
| Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) Degree Requirements | 16-21 | |
| Students will follow the BA or BGS degree specific requirements based on their degree selection. BA students will demonstrate proficiency in a Non-English Language, complete a Quantitative Literacy course, a Laboratory or Field Experience, and two semesters of Writing. BGS students will complete a minor, two certificates, or a second major and a Career Preparation Course. Please see the College's undergraduate tab for more detailed information on these requirements. | ||
1 credit hour of a Laboratory of Field Experience, 6 credit hours of Writing, and 3 credit hours of Quantitative Literacy are required for all BA students. These requirements will be met through the completion of the KU Core 34. | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| PUAD 330 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| or PUAD 331 | Introduction to Public Administration, Honors | |
| PUAD 350 | Public Policy and Democracy | 3 |
| PUAD 436 | Managing People in Public Organizations | 3 |
| PUAD 408 | Collaboration in Public Administration | 3 |
| PUAD 403 | Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector | 3 |
| PUAD 335 | Ethics in Public Service | 3 |
| PUAD 435 | Generating, Allocating and Managing Public Resources | 3 |
| or PUAD 332 | Quantitative Methods for Public Administration | |
| Public Administration Required Electives | 6 | |
| Majors must complete 2 courses (6 hours) from the following. NOTE: some courses may require additional prerequisites. | ||
| Introduction to Law & Society | ||
| The Pursuit of Rights: Law, Democracy & Power | ||
| Administration of Justice | ||
| Diversity and Social Equity in Public Administration | ||
| Introduction to Project Management | ||
| Public Service Leadership | ||
| Topics in Public Administration: _____ | ||
| Career Exploration and Planning: _____ | ||
| Internship Experience | ||
| Research Experience | ||
| Directed Readings | ||
| Sustainability and Society | ||
| Planning the Sustainable City | ||
| Contemporary Issues in U.S. Politics | ||
| Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Constitutional Law: Governmental Powers | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Communication, Leadership, and Conflict Management | ||
| Communication and Leadership | ||
| Environment and History | ||
| Environmental Law | ||
| Community Resilience | ||
| History, Women, and Diversity in the U.S. | ||
| Gender, Sexuality and the Law | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Data I: Dealing with Data | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | ||
| General Electives | 40-35 | |
| Students will need to complete additional general elective credits to reach the required 120 hours. | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| PUAD 699 | Capstone | 3 |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Major Hours & Major GPA
While completing all required courses, majors must also meet each of the following hour and grade-point average minimum standards:
Major Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major.
Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
A sample 4-year plan for the BA degree in Public Administration is available here: Public Administration, or by using the left-side navigation.
A sample 4-year plan for the BGS degree in Public Administration is available here: Public Administration, or by using the left-side navigation.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Develop and apply knowledge of governmental and non-profit organization’s administrative processes, including decision-making, policymaking, and their theoretical basis.
- Develop and apply knowledge of public service values and their use in decision-making in the public sector.
- Develop basic knowledge of research skills used in public sector decisions.