Bachelors of Public Administration - University of La Verne

Welcome Program Options Public Administration Degrees

Public Administration B.S.

Curriculum

The Bachelors Degree in Public Administration is an academic and professional degree program offering basic coursework in the theory, applications and practice of public sector management. Experience in applying skills learned through coursework will be gained through extensive class participation, student projects, and research reports.

Core Course Requirements:

PADM 313: Urban environments (4 units)
PADM 332: Introduction to Public Administration (4 units)
PADM 343: Foundations of Ethics (4 units)
PADM 388: Statistics (4 units)
PADM 469: Management of Change and Conflict (4 units)
PADM 470: Administrative processes (4 units)
PADM 499: Senior Seminar (4 units)

Electives: Students make take any combination of three additional courses from either of the elective areas below to meet their 40 semester hours in the major. For depth, choose three courses from one area; for breadth, any combination. (Please note: Electives availability varies by delivery option.)

Area 1: The policy and institutional context of Public Administration:

PADM 314: Local Public Administration and Government or
PLSC 416: State and Local Government and Politics (4 units)
PADM 320: Federalism and the Administrative State or
PLSC 301: American Government and Politics or
PLSC 321: Political Parties and Interest Groups (4 units)
PADM 436: The Policy Making Process (4 units)
PLSC 304: Contemporary Legal Issues (4 units)
PLSC 311: Development of American Democracy I (4 units)
PLSC 312: Development of American Democracy II (4 units)
PLSC 375: Contemporary Political Theory (4 units)
PLSC 378: American Political Thought (4 units)
PLSC 407: Constitutional Law (4 units)
PLSC 410: Congress and the Presidency (4 units)

Area 2: The organizational and management context of Public Administration:

PADM 330: Labor/Management Negotiation in the Public Sector (4 units)
PADM/MGMT 439: Organizational Behavior or
ECBU 355: Organizational Behavior in Business (4 units)
MGMT 480: Communications in Management or
ECBU 346: Business Communications (4 units)
ECBU 354: Communications in Organizations (4 units)
PADM/MGMT 368: Culture and Gender Issues in Management (4 units)
ECBU 410: Management Information Systems (4 units)

Which Program combination is best for you?

If you are planning or continuing a career focused on human resources and personnel management, you might select your elective sequence from Area I. If you find you are particularly interested in policy related issues and institutional dynamics, Area II might suit your interests.