Register By: June 29
Classes Start: July 1
Be the Face of Change with a Public Administration Degree Online
Gain an understanding of social issues and strategies for facilitating change through government systems in Southern New Hampshire University's online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Public Administration. You'll learn how administrators make policy and enforce programs to help build and strengthen communities and society.
Why earn a public administration degree online at SNHU?
- Median annual salary of $94,020 for administrative services managers*
- 10% projected growth for administrative services managers through 2026*
- Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree
Our degree gives you a solid business foundation and develops your knowledge of government structure, administrative management, fiscal budgeting, community dynamics, politics and public policy. After completion of the program, you'll be prepared to pursue a career path or advance your current career in public service.
See Yourself Succeed in Public Administration
When you add a public administration concentration to your business degree, you strengthen the skills that help you make informed recommendations for policies and programs based on the best interest of stakeholders such as the community, constituents and businesses.
Your degree prepares you to back up your ideas for policies and programs through an analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. It also gives you the tools to communicate strategies for informing, negotiating with and persuading constituents on public programs.
As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your degree in public administration at SNHU include:
- Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
- Convenience. Access your coursework when and where you want - our online classroom is available 24/7
- Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace, over six 8-week terms throughout the academic year
- Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
- Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
- Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we'll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there's no application fee
- Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study
- Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree
Career Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment projects the need for administrative services managers to increase 10% by 2026.* Growth will come from the continued need for municipal governments to provide services such as fire protection, criminal justice systems, public works, libraries, schools, public health, transportation, housing and development due to an expanding population.
Our bachelor's degree program prepares you for roles like:
- Administrative services manager
- Administrative specialist
- Budget analyst
- Disaster response specialist
- Nonprofit administrator
- Program analyst
- Public relations specialist
- Public utilities specialist
Curriculum
The courses for SNHU's public administration degree online include Policy Analysis and the Role of the Public, American Politics and Public Fiscal Management. The business core - plus your 5 concentration courses - can set you up for success in this life-changing field.
Courses To Prepare You For Your Career
SNHU's bachelor's in public administration program includes:
- General education
- Business core
- Degree-specific courses
General Education Program
Our programs are designed to equip you with the skills and insights you need to move forward. In recent years, employers have stressed the need for graduates with higher order skills - the skills that go beyond technical knowledge - such as:
- Writing
- Communication
- Analysis
- Problem solving
All undergraduate students are required to take general education classes. Through foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
Business Core Program
Programs in the School of Business require learners to complete the business core program, which includes a variety of business-specific courses. This program focuses on 10 core competencies to prepare you for success wherever you go.
Courses May Include
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POL
210
American Politics
This course offers a broad introduction to the structure and function of the American political system at the national level, including the roles played by the president, Congress, the courts, the bureaucracy, political parties, interest groups and the mass media in the policy- making and electoral processes. This course places special emphasis on how the efforts of the framers of the Constitution to solve what they saw as the political problems of their day continue to shape American national politics in ours.
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PAD
330
Public Administration
Explore the field of public administration through the analysis of key theory and career possibilities. Examine the role of government and regulation in public policy development. Analyze how ethics drives conduct within the field.
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PAD
340
Public Fiscal Management
Analyze the processes and techniques used to secure and manage public funds. Examine considerations public administrators utilize when making fiscal decisions. Explore the role of oversight committees, audits, and other accountability measures to ensure accuracy of financial documents and processes.
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PAD
345
Policy Analysis and the Role of the Public
Explore the role of policy in public administration, how the public influences policy, and the impact of policy on decision-making. Learn the stages of the public policy process and how the public's involvement in policy making has evolved. Develop techniques for managing and interacting with the public.
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PAD
410
Program Evaluation and Accountability
Learn the six steps of program development and evaluation, including designing program evaluation processes to measure outcomes and analyzing data to assess program success. Create purpose-driven communications to gain support for programs, disseminate program information, and report to stakeholders.
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Total Credits: 120
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Program Outcomes
- Justify the development and maintenance of public policy and programs that meet the needs of constituents through an analysis of quantitative and qualitative data
- Utilize appropriate communication strategies for informing, negotiating with, and persuading constituents on public programs
- Develop business management approaches that align with organizational philosophies and help build collaborative relationships with diverse teams
- Problem-solve across functional areas by integrating personal values with ethical, legal, and socially responsible business practices
- Articulate implications of global and societal contexts on business decisions
- Recommend strategic and creative business options using data gathered through research and current technological applications
- Communicate effectively to diverse internal and external audiences to contribute to a positive team climate and address various strategic and operational business needs
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
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Online Undergraduate Programs
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Per Course*
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Per Credit Hour*
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Degree/Certificates
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$960 |
$320 |
Degree/Certificates
(U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)
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$675 |
$225 |
*Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
Additional Costs
No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education as well as several other accrediting bodies. More...
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the Internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm (viewed online June 8, 2018). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.