Major in Public and Nonprofit Administration – Bachelor of Arts (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts degree at Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) is an interdisciplinary degree designed to bring students to a deeper understanding of their roles as public servants – which, broadly defined, includes employees of government and not-for-profit organizations, elected officials, members of boards and communities at the local level, volunteers, and philanthropists, etc. – in the context of civic engagement. The program provides students with the substantive knowledge, analytical skills, and perspectives needed to respond effectively and fairly to major contemporary social problems with a particular focus on urban issues that affect our communities. It is not an undergraduate degree solely in public administration or public management. Rather, the curriculum is rooted in the concepts of civic engagement and the common good and helps foster an understanding of the spirit of service already evident among many students, suggesting a broad array of career and professional pathways to public service.

Program Quick Facts

Program: In Person
Credits: 35 (out of the 120 required for an undergraduate degree)
Application Deadline: Fall: Dec. 1

Curriculum

For course descriptions and prerequisites see Courses.

* Required Courses

Core Courses
(15 Credits – All Required)

Introduction to Public Administration (3)*
Introduction to Nonprofit Administration (3)*
Ethical Public Service [Writing Intensive] (3)*
Public Service Organizations (3)*
Leadership for the Service Professions (3)*

Electives I
(Select 15 credits from the following courses)

Public Service as Responsible Citizenship (3)
US and Global Urban Experience (3)
Technology and Public Service (3)
Grant Writing for Organizations [Writing Intensive] (3)
The Arts and Culture of Public Service (3)
Philanthropy: Volunteerism, Fundraising, and Community Engagement (3)
Democratic Foundations of Public Service (3)
Research in Public Administration (3)

Electives II
(Select no more than 6 credits from the following)

Special Topics in Public Service (3)
Public Service Independent Study (credits by arrangement)

Service-Learning Internship Courses
(Select a minimum of 5 credits from the following; Required courses marked with *)

Career Explorations in Public Service (1)*
Service-Learning Internship I (4)*
Service-Learning Internship II (4)

Major in Public and Nonprofit Administration – Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Program Quick Facts

Curriculum

Major in Public and Nonprofit Administration Requirements (35 Credits)

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