The minor consists of six courses. The four required courses provide foundational knowledge of the theory and practice of public administration, the operation of state and local governments, policy research, and grant writing. Students select two elective courses tailored to their particular interest or specific issue areas related to the public sector. Each course develops key skills necessary for public sector work while providing different disciplinary approaches. Politics majors can complete the minor in Public Administration but only two courses used to complete the minor can also be used to fulfill requirements in the Politics major.

The electives allow students to gain knowledge and develop skills specific to an issue area that interests them, and perhaps intersects with one of their other majors or minors. The issue areas include many of current importance to the public sector. The city government electives focuses on public administration at often the most basic level of government. The criminal justice electives focuses on issues and practices within the US criminal justice system. Disaster and Emergency Management provides students with awareness and training to effectively prepare for and respond to moments of crisis. The economic development electives provide skills necessary to manage the finances of public sector organizations. The environmental policy electives focuses specifically on the intersections of US environmental issues and the public sector. A growing area of the public sector is nonprofits and NGO’s, which the nonprofit management electives focus on. The public health electives focuses on healthcare and health issues within the public sector.

• The city government electives concentrate on the most basic level of government – local government – as a vehicle for public services and goods.
• The criminal justice electives focus on issues and practices within the US criminal justice system.
• Disaster and Emergency Management electives provide students with awareness and training to effectively prepare for and respond to moments of crisis.
• The economic development electives provide skills necessary to manage the finances of public sector organizations.
• The environmental policy electives concentrate specifically on the intersections of US environmental issues and the public sector.
• The nonprofit management electives provide students with the skills necessary to manage nonprofits and NGO’s, one of the largest growing areas of the public sector.
• The public health electives center on healthcare and health issues within the public sector.

For an 18-19 credit minor in Public Administration, students complete the following:

Public Administration Electives