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Nicole Kach '24 with Professor John Fobanjong

Public Administration
BA, BS

A UMassD bachelor's degree in public administration will train students to work in the public sector at the local, state, or federal level. We aim to prepare graduates who possess the analytical, critical-thinking, and writing skills necessary for employment in the public sector.

Choose to earn a BA or BS in public administration

A BA in public administration focuses on communication and language skills as they relate to interacting in human and social services. A BS in public administration requires more intensive quantitative analytical skills, and prepares you for budgetary and financial management.

As a student in the public administration program, you will learn to:

  • understand concepts, theories and empirical findings in public administration
  • design research and perform data analysis and 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 ideas into focused papers or presentations

For the BA, students will be required to take 36 credits for the major. For the BS, students will be required to take 42 credits for the major. The additional credits for the BS reflect the additional quantitative courses these students must take.

 The required courses for both degrees are: 

  • an introductory level course in American government
  • an upper level introductory public administration course
  • both micro and macroeconomics
  • a business communication course
  • an internship course
  • a senior capstone in public administration. 

For the BA, students will also be required to take 1 quantitative analysis course and demonstrate intermediate proficiency in a foreign language. For the BS, students will be required to take 3 quantitative analysis courses. In addition to these required courses, students will select five elective courses: 2 in political science, 2 in economics, and 1 in English. 

Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

  • 3+3 Law degree: If you are thinking about law school, consider UMass Law's accelerated program. Your first year at UMass Law counts as your senior year at UMass Dartmouth.
  • Master's in Public Policy: Interested in seeking employment in state, federal, and municipal governments, non-profit organizations, and business, trade, and labor associations? 

Study online

Online & Continuing Education at UMass Dartmouth offers the following degrees online:

Frequently asked questions

Have questions about the Public Administration BA, BS program? Below are answers to common questions about admissions, curriculum, career outcomes, and student experience.

At UMass Dartmouth, the BA and BS in Public Administration share the same foundation, but differ in their emphasis and required coursework. The BA focuses more on communication and working with people in human and social services, while the BS emphasizes quantitative analysis, budgeting, and financial management.

Choose the BA if you want to focus on the people side of public service: communicating with the public, supporting community programs, and working in human or social services.

Choose the BS if you're interested in the analytical and operational side: understanding budgets, interpreting data, evaluating programs, and helping public organizations manage resources effectively.

The BA in Public Administration prepares you for a wide variety of careers in the public and private sectors, including nonprofit organizations, consulting, education, community health, and government at the local, state, and federal levels. It also prepares you to enter a graduate program such as a master's in public policy (MPP) or a law degree, allowing you to make a difference at an even higher level. 

Yes. As a public administration major, you will complete an off-campus internship with an organization focused on public policy, law, government, or politics. An internship is an opportunity to explore possible career paths, build your professional network, apply what you've learned in class, and gain valuable experience that will make you competitive in the job market.