Department of Political Science: Public Administration Program
The Public Administration (PA) program is interdisciplinary, including courses from Political Science, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Geography, and Management. The location of the University of Central Arkansas provides easy access for students to agencies of the federal, state, and local governments. Close proximity to these agencies allows the student to receive practical experience in government administration and provides ready access to public employment upon graduation.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Public Administration is a 124-hour curriculum that will prepare the student for an entry-level position in government or a non-profit organization. The General Education requirements must be met in order to fulfill the demands of the BS degree program in Public Administration. These requirements are explained in detail in the UCA handbook.
The program provides students with an understanding of public administration and the knowledge and skills needed for a career in the public and non-profit sectors. The program is divided into three areas: First, the "core" curriculum (39 hours) must be completed. The "core" curriculum represents the foundation of the degree program and includes courses such as U.S. Government & Politics, Public Administration, Government Budgeting, Public Policy, Accounting, Economics, and Management. Second, twenty-one hours (21) must be completed in the "Areas of Special Emphasis," where students choose courses in Public Management, Public Policy, and Planning. Third, electives are used to complete the 124 hours needed to graduate. Electives are carefully chosen by the student and program director to meet the special interests and career goals of the student.
Public Administration Major curriculum and checklist.
Public Administration Minor curriculum and checklist.
Career Outlook
Public administrators have an unusually diverse practical and academic background. Approximately one in six Americans work for government in the United States, therefore employment opportunities abound in a variety of specialized areas, such as city management, budget analyst, land use planner, legislative aide, department manager, policy evaluator, attorney, military officer, policy analyst, economic developer, professor, budget director, and program director.
Internships
The required internship program offers the student the opportunity to receive hands-on experience in a governmental office. Interns in the public administration program have been placed in a variety of federal, state, and local departments and non-profit organizations. Interns have also served in congressional offices in Little Rock and Washington D.C. Internships can and often do turn into permanent positions in government service. For information on the guidelines regarding internships in public administration and recent internship placements, please click on the following links:
Public Administration Program - Internship Guidelines
Public Administration Program - Recent Internship Placements
Faculty and Students
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the public administration degree, students have the opportunity to take courses from a variety of faculty in several disciplines and colleges, including Political Science, Economics, Geography, Management, Sociology, Finance, and Accounting. Public administration students may be active on campus through the UCA Public Administration Club, which is open to all students interested in a career in the public and non-profit sectors.
Public Administration Links
* For more information regarding the Public Administration (PA) program, please contact Dr. Kim. Hoffman, Director of the PA program and Coordinator of the PA Internship Program, at 501-450-5688 or khoffman@uca.edu.