Public Administration Program
The Public
Administration Program is a special certificate program with the purpose
of assisting students contemplating a career in government service. The
required courses, from a variety of disciplines, introduce skills and
knowledge to prepare students for graduate degree programs in public
sector fields, such as the Masters in Public Administration (MPA) or the
Masters in Public Policy (MPP).
While this program is open to all students, it has been designed to meet
the needs of majors in the liberal arts and sciences, particularly
those in the social sciences and humanities who many be concerned about
the link between their academic major and their subsequent career.
Community Service
The program
allows students to acquire public sector relevant skills and knowledge,
as well as an understanding of government service as a career option,
all while preparing in different majors and minors in the liberal arts
and sciences. Program participants will be eligible to attend regularly
scheduled extracurricular seminars and presentations about careers and
graduate school opportunities in public administration.
Students who complete all program requirements receive a Certificate in
Public Administration at graduation and program participation is noted
on their transcripts.
Government, non-profits and companies in the private sector value a
background in public administration. The skills acquired through this
program and in subsequent graduate programs are complementary to jobs in
these three sectors.
Expanding Opportunities in the Public Sector
Government
organizations at all levels are seeking ways to better serve citizens
and use government resources more effectively. At the forefront are
professionally trained public administrators and public policy
specialists who use their expertise to make government programs work.
There are job opportunities in the local, state, and federal government
for people with a background in public administration. There is an array
of government jobs that are attractive to a variety of interests.
Opportunities are expanding for well-trained and credentialed experts to
staff these government organizations. Undergraduates committed to
serving their country through careers in the public sector can find such
training in Providence College’s Public Administration Program.
Graduate School
This program
aims specifically at building a foundation for the study of public
administration, essential for continued study at the graduate level in
either public administrations or public policy. The faculty of the
Public Administration Program help students apply and gain admission to
graduate schools that meet their needs and abilities. A Masters in
Public Administration (MPA) or a Masters in Public Policy (MPP) is a
practical degree in both the public and private sectors.
How to Enroll
Students can
sign up for the PA Program any time prior to graduation, but normally
students are encouraged to enroll before the end of the their sophomore
year. To enroll, students should meet with Dr. Hyde to tailor their
participation in the program to fit with their other academic goals. Dr.
Hyde is available to provide graduate school counseling and suggest
resources for exploring various post-graduation opportunities.
Program Requirements
The Public Administration Program consists of four core courses and four additional courses.
Public Administration Core
PSC 211 - Public Administration
PSC 318 - American Public Policy
PSC 419 - Public Program Evaluation
PSC 450 - Political Science Internship
Additional Courses
PSC 201 - American Government and Politics
ACC 203 - Financial Accounting
PHL 301 - Ethics, Moral Leadership, and the Public Good
And either:
ECN 101 - Principles of Economics: Micro
Or
ECN 102 - Principles of Economics: Macro
For More Information Contact:
Dr. Mark Hyde
Howley Hall 304
Email: mshyde@providence.edu
Phone: 865-2627