The online Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration at Chico State prepares students for rewarding careers in government, nonprofit organizations, and public service. Our program offers a curriculum that blends theory with practical skills, equipping students with the knowledge and abilities needed to address complex societal challenges.
Students in this program explore a wide range of topics including public policy formation, organizational theory, budgeting and finance, personnel management, and ethics in public service. Through engaging online coursework, students gain hands-on experience in policy analysis, decision-making, and program evaluation.
Our flexible online format allows students to balance their education with work and personal commitments, making it ideal for both traditional students and working professionals seeking career advancement. The program emphasizes critical thinking, effective communication, and ethical leadership – skills that are highly valued in the public and nonprofit sectors.
Graduates of this program are well-prepared for diverse career paths in local, state, and federal government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and public-private partnerships. They also gain a solid foundation for further graduate studies in public administration, public policy, or related fields.
Join us in this dynamic program and embark on a journey to become a skilled, ethical, and effective public servant ready to make a positive impact in your community and beyond.
E-advising Tools
Use the interactive e-advising tools designed to help students graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center in the Portal.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Course Requirements for the Major: 38 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
Only a total of six units of PADM 489A, PADM 489P, and POLS 493 may be counted toward the requirements of the major.
Electives Requirement
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 43 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
One of the following GE Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (2) courses is recommended to support the student in the public administration major:
American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units
The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Writing and Math Requirements for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (EO 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE English Composition (1A) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.
