Public Administration
https://www.uwgb.edu/public-administration/
(Bachelor of Science)
As a broad-based, interdisciplinary, social science major, Public Administration prepares students for challenging careers in public and nonprofit organizations and, if desired, further study in graduate programs. Students develop proficiency in organizational management and leadership, nonprofit management, fundraising, public policy analysis, human resources, program evaluation, policy development and implementation and budgeting.
With a broad skill-set, graduates work in public, nonprofit, and commercial organizations in positions as program directors, policy analysts, nonprofit executives, budget specialists, governmental affairs directors in commercial businesses, and municipal leaders. Many pursue graduate studies in public administration, law, political science, nonprofit management, public policy, and public affairs.
All Public Administration majors engage in high impact, problem-focused, applied learning. This major excels in internships: students can choose from a wide array of strong internship placements in city, county and state executive offices, non-profit organizations, and emergency management settings. Students are encouraged to gain experiences through independent study, community research projects, and an other individualized work with faculty.
Students majoring in Public Administration must choose an emphasis: Public and Nonprofit Management or Emergency Management. Students who want to focus specifically on the nonprofit sector should consider earning the free-standing Nonprofit Management Certificate. Students pursuing an Emergency Management emphasis can obtain a free-standing Emergency Management Certificate, which is offered in cooperation with campus Continuing Education and Community Engagement programs.
Please seek assistance from a faculty adviser in creating your own academic plan.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of a public administration major at UW-Green Bay, students will have :
- demonstrated an understanding of the process of public policy analysis and policy-making.
- developed the ability to collect, manage, evaluate, and apply data to make decisions and solve public and nonprofit problems.
- demonstrated knowledge of ethics and the importance of their application to everyday decision-making in public and nonprofit organizations and public affairs.
- demonstrated social responsibility in public service and other intentional engagement in the community.
- demonstrated core skills of public and nonprofit management including leadership, collaboration, financial management, program evaluation, and human resource management.
- applied approaches to collaborating productively with diverse individuals and groups to promote effective communities, organizations, programs, and policies.
Considering a Double Major or a Major and a Minor?
Many Public Administration students choose to complete double majors in Political Science, Environmental Policy and Planning, Organizational Leadership or Urban Studies. A second major complements the Public Administration curriculum and makes students stronger candidates when seeking careers or entry into graduate programs.
A minor in Public Administration fits well with majors in Political Science, Economics, Communication, Environmental Policy and Planning, Urban Studies, Democracy and Justice Studies, Psychology, Social Work, and many more. Please see a faculty adviser early in your academic career for advice on these options.
Students may study abroad or at other campuses in the United States through UW-Green Bay’s participation in international exchange programs and the National Student Exchange program. Travel courses are another option for obtaining academic credits and completing requirements. For more information, contact the Office of International Education at http://www.uwgb.edu/international/.
Major Area of Emphasis
Students must complete requirements in one of the following areas of emphasis:
Minor
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Supporting Courses | 9 | |
Required (choose 3 courses): | ||
American Government and Politics | ||
Introduction to Public Policy | ||
Introduction to Public Administration | ||
Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector | ||
Upper-Level Courses | 15 | |
Required (choose 3 courses): | ||
Public and Non-Profit Management | ||
Public Policy Analysis | ||
Public and Nonprofit Budgeting | ||
Public and Nonprofit Program Evaluation | ||
Electives (choose 2 courses): | ||
Cost Benefit Analysis | ||
Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
Urban Politics and Policy | ||
State and Local Government | ||
Regulatory Policy and Administration | ||
Administrative Law | ||
Public and Non-Profit Management | ||
Human Resource and Risk Management | ||
Public Policy Analysis | ||
Public and Nonprofit Budgeting | ||
Fundraising and Marketing for Nonprofits | ||
Public and Nonprofit Program Evaluation | ||
Internship | ||
Total Credits | 24 |
1 | PUB ADM 497 can only be completed for 3 credits to satisfy the upper level elective requirement. A 2.75 GPA is required for internship participation. |
Curriculum Guide
The following is only an example of a four-year Public Administration degree program and is subject to change without notice. Students should consult a Public Administration program advisor to ensure that they have the most accurate and up-to-date information available about a particular four-year degree option.
An example: Four year plan for Public Administration Major
120 credits necessary to graduate.
Plan is a representation and categories of classes can be switched. Check with your advisor.
Freshman | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
POL SCI 101 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
First Year Seminar | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
PUB ADM 202 | Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Sophomore | ||
Fall | ||
PUB ADM 215 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
BUSAN 220 |
Business Statistics or Social Science Statistics or Introductory Statistics |
3 |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ECON 203 | Micro Economic Analysis | 3 |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Junior | ||
Fall | ||
PUB ADM 315 | Public and Non-Profit Management | 3 |
PUB ADM 344 | Leadership in Organizations | 3 |
Public Administration Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
PUB ADM 415 | Public and Nonprofit Budgeting | 3 |
PUB ADM 428 | Public and Nonprofit Program Evaluation | 3 |
Public Administration Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Senior | ||
Fall | ||
PUB ADM 497 | Internship | 3 |
PUB ADM 408 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
Public Administration Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
PUB ADM 497 | Internship | 3 |
Public Administration Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
Public Administration Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
Faculty
Aaron C Weinschenk; Professor; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee*
David J Helpap; Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee*
Kerry Kuenzi; Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Colorado
Laurel E Phoenix; Associate Professor; Ph.D., State University of New York - College of Environmental Science and Forestry*
Lora H Warner; Associate Professor; Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University
Elizabeth E Wheat; Associate Professor; Ph.D., Western Michigan University*