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Bachelor's degree

Bachelor of Science in Public Administration​ Degree

4 years

Approximate Program Length

120

Total Credits

$398

Cost per Credit

Online

Format

Start when you're ready

Register by: Dec 8, 2021

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Gain an understanding of public policy and how it’s implemented in government, nonprofit or public institutions. Our Bachelor of Science in Public Administration degree prepares you for roles in both the public and private sectors and covers everything from civil leadership, business and governmental law to finance and budgeting. Courses are just five weeks long, so they fit into your busy life.

  • Use organizational management and behavioral theories

  • Apply human capital theories and concepts in the administration of diverse public service organizations

  • Employ finance and accounting theories and generally accepted accounting principles

  • Explain how federal, state, and local policies affect public administration

  • Practice the values and ethical principles of administration

  • Collaborate with diverse groups of stakeholders to solve problems and address societal needs

  • Conduct quantitative and qualitative analyses in the administration of diverse public service organizations

Download program and career details

Courses

1

Course at a time

5

Weeks per course

10

Courses per year

Schedule

Your academic counselor will help schedule your courses for a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration.

What you'll learn

When you earn your bachelor’s in public administration online, you’ll be equipped with a concrete set of skills you can apply on the job. 

Download learning outcomes

Topics covered in this degree include:

  • Public sector communications
  • Critical thinking and decision-making in the public sector
  • Principles of governmental accounting
  • Personnel management

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Bachelors in Public Administration program is to prepare students for entry into or advancement of an administrative career within federal, state, local, and non-profit public service organizations and communities. The program provides students with knowledge and skills in administrative management, public financing and budgeting, civic leadership, business and governmental law, and risk management congruent with the ethics and values of the public administration profession.

Careers & Outcomes

What can you do with a bachelor’s in Public Administration?

A BSPA can prepare you to be a:

  • Operations manager
  • Program manager
  • Regulatory affairs manager
7 %

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for management occupations is projected to be faster than average between 2018 and 2028.

BLS projections are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Career Services for Life®

Get career coaching, resumé building and interview prep, for life. While outside career advising can cost over $200 an hour, at University of Phoenix it’s built right into your degree at no added cost.

You don’t have to go it alone.

You’ll have a team of advisors invested in your success from day one — dedicated to helping you build your confidence and a personalized career plan you can stick with.

Tools and resources available 24/7/365

We're a university built for the busy. Build your resumé, prepare for an interview and plan your career — whenever it fits your life, day or night.

Networking & mentorship

Through virtual job fairs and networking with the alumni community, we've made it easy to tap into the experience and connections of your peers and colleagues at the University.

Learn more about career support

Tuition

While education costs have risen an average of 2.6% in the U.S. every year, our Tuition Guarantee ensures you’ll pay one flat rate from the moment you enroll to the day you graduate.

Earn your degree without starting from scratch

On average, students with prior eligible college credits and relevant life experience saved $11k and 1 year on their undergraduate degree.

Up to $1 million a month in available scholarships
Apply for one of 400 scholarship opportunities this month.

See scholarships

Earn your degree faster
Have previous relevant work and life experience evaluated for potential credit. If you have military or law enforcement training such as Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) or basic corrections academy training, you can have relevant experience evaluated for potential college credit. Contact an enrollment representative at 844-YES-UOPX for more information.

See how it works

Credit transfer made easy
Graduate faster by transferring in prior eligible credits from another accredited institution.

Transfer credits

NEED SOME HELP?

Our enrollment representatives provide personal support while you make an informed choice about going back to school. Reach us by phone at 844-937-8679 or chat with us 7 days a week.

Connect with us

Student Experience

An education that fits your busy life

Balancing family, work and school

Work toward your degree without giving up what matters most. Start your degree year-round and take one class at a time.

Learn about our flexibility

Online learning

Enroll in online classes and attend class whenever it fits your life, day or night.

Read about online classes

Around-the-clock support and resources

You have a support team available up to 20 hours a day, 5 days a week. And our academic counselors, who are with you every step of the way, have earned a 5-star rating from 90% of our surveyed students.

See student resources

Accreditation & Faculty

Count on the quality of your education

Institutional accreditation

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org. Since 1978, University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

Real-world faculty

25

Average years of industry experience

12

Directors of Programs and Grants

19:1

Student-faculty ratio

Faculty Spotlight

As a faculty member, I'm on your team. I'm your coach and your cheerleader."

Doris Savron

Vice Provost of Colleges, University of Phoenix

Read her story

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Bachelor of Science in Public Administration​ degree

Public administration consists of services we all rely on in every community to implement government policy and public service. Public administrators work in local and federal entities and departments in the public sector, as well as in non-profit organizations.

A public administration degree helps prepare you for roles in both the public and non-profit sectors. The degree covers topics such as civil leadership, city and county operations, finance and budgeting, grant writing, public policy and ethics, and many more public admin related topics.

Our online public administration degree is designed specifically so that working professionals like you can earn it without leaving your current role. The degree helps you build a strong foundation in public administration while teaching the leadership skills to help prepare you for a career in the field. You’ll learn from faculty who are currently working in the public sector, and you’ll be able to join our large alumni network. Additionally, Career Services for Life™ help students in their current position and prepare them for career enhancement with career planning, resumé help and more.

While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

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