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Public Administration Online
BS

Program introduction and alerts

Offered as:  Online Undergraduate

Advance your education online at UMassD

With a BS in Public Administration, you'll acquire the analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills necessary to excel in your career.

Flexibly designed with part-time learners in mind, you will be prepared to work in local, state or federal government in a budgetary or financial management position.

You will learn to:

  • understand concepts, theories and empirical findings in public administration
  • design research and perform data analysis & interpretation
  • understand and synthesize professional and popular writing on public affairs
  • formulate and analyze arguments including their structure and force
  • assess the relevance and weight of evidence
  • write clearly and persuasively
  • organize your ideas in a focused paper or presentation

A BS in public administration requires more intensive quantitative analytical skills.

If you're interested in preparing to work in the social or public services sectors, learn about what our Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration offers.

Program curriculum and details

Transferring to UMassD

With our generous transfer policy, students with existing credits may transfer up to 90 credits from a regionally accredited institution.

To earn your degree, you'll need 120 credits, and 42 credits in your major. The BS degree requires 3 quantitative courses.

Sample Course Offerings

Examples of courses offered in the Public Administration program include (course offerings subject to change):

  • Civil Rights in the U.S.
  • State & Local Government
  • Public Economics
  • Public Policy
  • Urban Economics

Required courses

  • Introductory-level American government course
  • Upper-level public administration course
  • Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
  • Business Communication
  • internship course
  • senior capstone in Public Administration

Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

Transfer Applicants

  • Submit official transcripts from all accredited colleges or universities for which you enrolled in courses

Students coming directly from high school and/or with 0-11 college credits will be required to: 

  • have high school transcript sent to UMass Dartmouth 
  • have official SAT or ACT scores sent to UMass Dartmouth (only required for those applicants with a high school GPA under 3.0 and graduated from high school less than four years ago)

Students who complete high school through the GED/HiSET program will be required to:

  • submit a copy of the GED/HiSET certificate from the state
  • submit a copy of your GED/HiSET test record
  • submit an official high school transcript

Customize your education and receive the help and guidance to finish as planned:

  • Generous transfer policy
  • Value and affordability of a UMass education
  • One-on-one personal advising from enrollment through graduation
  • Free online and in-person tutoring and writing center

UMass Dartmouth advanced degrees

Public Administration faculty

faculty image fobanjong
John Fobanjong, PhD
Shannon Jenkins
Shannon Jenkins, PhD

Learning style: online

Online courses are taught by UMass Dartmouth faculty to provide high quality instruction and personal attention. Students have the flexibility to accommodate work and home responsibilities within the structure of defined assignment due dates. The majority of our online courses are taught asynchronously.

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Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

Accreditations and distinctions

UMass Dartmouth is Military Friendly

UMassD is a Military Friendly School, with leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience. Learn more about veteran services and benefits at UMassD.

Undergraduate experiences at UMass Dartmouth

Honors College student
Honors College

Take advanced courses, pursue research, and be part of a community of scholars.

Study abroad student
Study Abroad

Earn academic credits and gain a global perspective on your field.

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Undergraduate Research

Faculty work with students on cutting-edge research projects.

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University Studies

Gain the benefit of a broad university education to enhance your knowledge and skills.

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