Public Administration Major (B.S.)

https://cps.unh.edu/online/program/bs/public-administration

The Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration offers students depth and breadth in public administration, leadership, and public policy. The degree is designed to meet the educational needs of public administration professionals and includes an appropriate foundation for further graduate study for a Master’s in Public Administration or Master’s in Leadership. The outcomes-based program is built upon a foundation of essential public administration competencies that are integrated throughout the curriculum: public administration, leadership, public policy, ethics, strategic communication, human resource management, budgeting and finance, government relations, and community engagement.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 120 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 30 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 is required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: General Education Program

Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.

*GPA: Major and any state certification GPA requirements may be higher and are indicated in program details.

A minimum grade of C- is required in all Major coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor, and General Education requirements with only one overlap being utilized between the Major and Minor. Please note that Option requirements are considered part of the Major. Students must complete 16 upper-level credits in majors within the College of Professional Studies, Online.

General Education Program Requirements

A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only one overlap being utilized between the Major and Minor.

All General Education requirements, including CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar, must be taken prior to the capstone.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ENG 420	The Writing Process	4
COM 460	Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics	4
COM 480	Visual Communication	4
CRIT 501	Introduction to Critical Inquiry	4
Select one of the following:		4
MTH 402	Math for Our World
MTH 504	Statistics
MTH 510	Pre-Calculus
Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems		4
Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World		4
Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression		4
CRIT 602	Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking	4
IDIS 601	Interdisciplinary Seminar	4
Total Credits		40

Writing Program Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ENG 420	The Writing Process
One Writing Intensive course in the Major
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above
One Additional Writing Intensive Course

Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.

Major Requirements

Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete the majority of their required major courses along with CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 Interdisciplinary Seminar. Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Major in Public Administration
Foundation Courses
APST 405	Career Development and Planning	2
CMPL 402	Excel	2
DAT 510	Introduction to Data Analytics	4
HUMN 480	Introduction to Ethics	4
PADM 500	Introduction to Public Administration	4
Intermediate Courses
MTH 504	Statistics	4
HRM 580	Change Management	4
PADM 600	Public Policy Development and Implementation	4
PADM 645	Public Sector Budget and Finance	4
PADM 670	Human Resources in the Public Sector	4
Advanced Courses
APST 705	Grant Writing	4
or MGMT 706	Fundraising and Resource Development
LD 600	Becoming an Effective Leader	4
or LD 660	Leadership Theory
LD 725	Volunteer Leadership	4
or COM 665	Media and Strategic Communication
Integrative Capstone
MGMT 795	Integrative Capstone: Industry-Based Internship	4
or MGMT 797	Integrative Capstone: Industry-Based Project
Total Credits		52

Electives

Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
APST 405	Career Development and Planning	2
CMPL 402	Excel	2
ENG 420	The Writing Process	4
PADM 500	Introduction to Public Administration	4
General Education Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
COM 460	Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics	4
CRIT 501	Introduction to Critical Inquiry	4
HUMN 480	Introduction to Ethics	4
MTH 402 or MTH 504 or MTH 510	Math for Our World or Statistics or Pre-Calculus	4
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
COM 480	Visual Communication	4
HRM 580	Change Management	4
MTH 504	Statistics	4
General Education Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
DAT 510	Introduction to Data Analytics	4
LD 600 or LD 660	Becoming an Effective Leader or Leadership Theory	4
General Education Course		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Third Year
Fall
CRIT 602	Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking	4
PADM 600	Public Policy Development and Implementation	4
COM 665 or LD 725	Media and Strategic Communication or Volunteer Leadership	4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
PADM 645	Public Sector Budget and Finance	4
PADM 670	Human Resources in the Public Sector	4
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Fourth Year
Fall
APST 705 or MGMT 706	Grant Writing or Fundraising and Resource Development	4
IDIS 601	Interdisciplinary Seminar	4
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
MGMT 797 or MGMT 795	Integrative Capstone: Industry-Based Project or Integrative Capstone: Industry-Based Internship	4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
	Total Credits	120

Develop the ability to lead and manage in the public interest.
Participate in, and contribute to, the policy process.
Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment.
Articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective.
Communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large.