Public and Nonprofit Administration Major, B.A.; B.S.

B.A. degree or B.S. degree 

This program is also offered via Global Campus/CMU Online.

A Public and Nonprofit Administration major consists of 33 hours. A minimum of 15 hours of course work must be at the 300 level or above, with at least one course at the 400-500 level. PSC 405 cannot be used to fulfill this requirement. No more than 15 credits may be double counted with the Political Science Minor.

Courses taken on a Credit/No Credit basis may not be counted toward Public and Nonprofit Administration majors, with the following exceptions: internship (PSC 395), practicums (PSC 393 & PSC 394) and lab course (PSC 355). In the case of these exceptions, no more than three credits total may be applied to the major or minor. Transfer students majoring in Public and Nonprofit Administration will be expected to take at least 15 hours of coursework in the department; transfer minors, 12 hours.

It is recommended that all Public and Nonprofit Administration majors enroll in PAD 380QR during their junior year.

Any regular faculty member in the department can serve as the student’s advisor on a major or minor.

Internships: The department has established an internship program where students are provided relevant firsthand work experience. The duration of an internship can vary depending on the number of credit hours (1-12) taken. Students majoring in Public and Nonprofit Administration, as well as the minors in public administration and public affairs, are allowed to count three internship credit hours toward their major or minor.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (18 hours)

PAD 210	Introduction to Public Administration	3(3-0)
PAD 211	Introduction to Nonprofit Leadership	3(3-0)
PAD 313	Public Budgeting Processes	3(3-0)
PAD 380QR	Public Sector Research Methods	3(3-0)
PAD 411	Public Sector Human Resources	3(3-0)
PSC 395	Internship in Government and Politics	1-12(Spec)

Note: PSC 395 is required for students without any relevant administrative experience. Student must have completed 56 hours or more. Students with previous relevant administrative experience may select an Independent Study (PSC 390) for three credits with permission of the Internship Director.

Electives (15 hours)

Select five PSC or PAD courses, at least two of which are PAD courses.

OR select one of the following certificates:

• Undergraduate Certificate - International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Administration
• Undergraduate Certificate - Public Policy Analysis
• Undergraduate Certificate - Public and Social Entrepreneurship

Note: A student earning a certificate must choose courses different than those chosen to fulfill the major required courses. Up to 6 hours of coursework from one certificate may be used to fulfill requirements in another certificate in the department. Although the major may be combined with any of the certificates, students pursuing the major in public and nonprofit administration are advised to consider choosing one from among the list above.

Total: 33 semester hours