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

The undergraduate program at Rutgers SPAA is designed to prepare students for careers or advanced study in public and nonprofit administration. The program, which is rooted in the concept of experiential learning, is not solely focused on traditional academic coursework. Rather, the curriculum aims to give students a hands-on educational experience through internships and projects that provide the practical knowledge and skills required to enter rewarding careers in government or the nonprofit sector in a variety of policy areas.

Program Quick Facts

Program: On Campus | Online
(all courses required to complete the major are available online)
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)*

Service-Learning Internship Courses
(Select a minimum of 5 credits from the following)

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

Electives I
(Select 15 credits from the following)

Public Service as Responsible Citizenship (3)
The United States and Global Urban Experience (3)
Technology and Public Service (3)
Grant Writing for Organizations [Writing Intensive] (3)
Servant Leadership (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 [Writing Intensive] (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)

Internships

As part of the core requirements for the program, students take their classroom training
and apply it to the real world in the form of a supervised, structured, service-learning
internship within local, state, federal, and global governments, organizations, and
agencies.

For more information and a sampling of organizations where SPAA interns serve in the
greater Newark, NJ area and beyond visit Internships at Rutgers SPAA.

Leadership & Engagement Opportunities

Rutgers SPAA students have access to many leadership and engagement opportunities
via the school’s events, initiatives, activities, and partner organizations.

For academic year-long, annual, and other opportunities, visit Leadership & Engagement Opportunities.

Careers in Public Administration

Earning a degree from Rutgers SPAA prepares you for management and leadership roles across a wide range of careers spanning all levels of government (federal, state, and local), the nonprofit sector, international organizations, academia, and the private sector.

For more information on what you can do with a degree in public administration, visit Careers.

To Apply / Admission Requirements

For admission requirements and application information and deadlines see Apply Now.

For More Information

To learn more, Request Information or Join a SPAA Info Session. If you have questions about a program or the application process, contact Aaron Gibbs, associate dean of student and academic services, at algibbs@rutgers.edu.