Starting in Fall 2022, students may choose to pursue the Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) degree in the Department of Political Science at UCA. The BPA prepares students for careers in government agencies (federal , state, and local) and non-profit organizations. The program includes a 36-credit hour major offering courses in state government and politics, local government and politics, intergovernmental relations, public management, public policy, program evaluation, government budgeting, and a variety of substantive policy topics ( education policy, environmental policy, and community and economic development policy). The program also requires a six-credit hour internship in a government or non-profit organization and a one-credit hour course introducing students to the profession of public service.
Foundation and Internship Requirements (7 credit hours)
PADM 1110, Public Service as a Profession (1 credit hour)
PADM 4610, Internship in Public Administration (6 credit hours) or
PADM 4310, Internship in Public Administration (two 3-credit hour courses)
Major in Public Administration (36 credit hours)
The BPA degree, with a major in public administration, requires successful completion of 120 credit hours: (1) the completion of the UCA Core, including the UCA Lower-Division Core (38 credit hours) and the UCA Upper-Division Core using major, minor, or elective courses; (2) the completion of the Foundation and Internship Requirements (7 credit hours); (3) the completion of the requirements for a major in Public Administration, including the core requirements (21 credit hours) and the issue area requirements (15 credit hours); and (4) the completion of a minor and/or, in consultation with the BPA program director, elective courses.
Public Administration Major Checklist
Public Administration (PADM) Course Descriptions
Political Science (PSCI) Course Descriptions
Notes:
1. PSCI 1330, U.S. Government and Politics [ACTS: PLSC2003], is a prerequisite for all upper-division PSCI and PADM courses. PADM 2310, Introduction to Public Administration and Policy, is a prerequisite for all upper-division PADM courses.
2. Designated courses may be used to satisfy the UCA Upper-Division Core requirements in Diversity [D], Critical Inquiry [I], Responsible Living [R], Effective Communication [C], and Capstone Experience [X].
Core Requirements (21 credit hours):
Communication Skills (3 credit hours) – Choose one of the following courses.
WRTG 3310, Technical Writing [UD UCA Core: C]
COMM 2311, Business and Professional Speaking
COMM 3310, Advanced Public Speaking
Data Analysis Skills (3 credit hours) – Choose one of the following courses.
PSCI 2312, Statistical Methods
PSCI 2322, Political Science Applications in GIS
GEOG 2475, Cartography
Substantive Knowledge (15 credit hours) – Complete each of the following courses.
PADM 2310, Introduction to Public Administration and Policy
PSCI 3300, State Government and Politics
PADM 3310, Public Management
PADM 3320, Public Policy Analysis [UD UCA Core: Z]
PADM 4320, Government Budgeting
Issues Area Requirements (15 credit hours):
Public and Non-Profit Management (9 credit hours) – Choose three of the following courses.
Choose at least two of the courses listed below:
PSCI 3336, Local Government and Politics
PADM 4340, Non-Profit Management
PADM 4350, Intergovernmental Relations [UD UCA Core: C]
PADM 4370, Special Topics in Public and Non-Profit Management
PADM 4V89, Studies in Public and Non-Profit Management (independent study, variable credit).
Additional course options:
PSCI 4334, The American Presidency [UD UCA Core: C, I]
GEOG 3325, Urban and Regional Planning [UD UCA Core: R]
GEOG 3371, Urban Geography [UD UCA Core: I]
GEOG 3381, Political Geography [UD UCA Core: I]
GEOG 4313, Recreation and Tourism [UD UCA Core: I, R]
COMM 4315, Communication and Leadership
HLTH 4370, Administration of Health Programs [UD UCA Core: C]
PRLS 4310, Non-Profit Public Relations
Policy Analysis and Advocacy (6 credit hours) – Choose two of the following courses.
Choose at least one of the courses listed below:
PADM 4330, Public Policy and Program Evaluation
PADM 4360, Education Policy
PADM 4380, Special Topics in Public Policy
PADM 4V99, Studies in Public Policy (independent study, variable credit)
Additional course options:
PSCI 3316, Cybersecurity Law and Policy [UD UCA Core: C]
PSCI 3320, Environmental Policy [UD UCA Core: I, R]
PSCI 4335, The American Congress
CRIM 3370, Criminology
SOC 4301, Social Movements and Social Change
HLTH 4300, Community Health Problems
GEOG 3301, Conservation of Natural Resources [UD UCA Core: R
COMM 3308, Argumentation and Advocacy
WRTG 4308, Writing for Change: Advocacy Writing [UD UCA Core: Z]
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Contact
Dr. Kim Hoffman, Director
Public Administration Program
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, Arkansas 72035
E-Mail: khoffman@uca.edu
Phone: 501-450-3412