The online Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration prepares you for rewarding careers in government, nonprofit organizations, and public service. You engage with a curriculum that blends theory with practical skills, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to address complex societal challenges.
In this program, you explore topics such as public policy formation, organizational theory, budgeting and finance, personnel management, and ethics in public service. Through engaging online coursework, you gain hands-on experience in policy analysis, decision-making, and program evaluation.
The flexible online format allows you to balance your education with work and personal commitments, whether you are a traditional student or a working professional seeking to advance your career. You build essential skills in critical thinking, effective communication, and ethical leadership, all of which are highly valued in the public and nonprofit sectors.
As a graduate of this program, you are well-prepared for diverse career paths in local, state, and federal government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and public-private partnerships. You also gain a solid foundation for graduate studies in public administration, public policy, or related fields.
Join this dynamic program and embark on a journey toward becoming 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.
Some courses require a minimum grade to progress in the program. Minimum grade requirements, including those listed on course requisites, are considered graduation requirements.
Course Requirements for the Major: 37 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.
A total of six units of PADM 489P, POLS 489C, 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. Consult with an advisor to help select courses that provide breadth to your University experience and possibly help satisfy credential, professional, or graduate school prerequisites or support completion of a 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) requires you to take four Writing (W) courses, two of which are upper-division courses designated for your major. Specifically, you must:
Take one Writing (W) course.
Take one Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course.
Complete a GE English Composition (1A) course before taking the GW course.
Earn a grade of C- or higher to receive GW credit.
See Writing and Math Requirements for details on additional writing requirements you need to complete for graduation.
A blended bachelor's and master's degree program combines an existing Chico State bachelor's degree with an existing Chico State master's degree; the blended program allows up to 12 units of the graduate program units to be double-counted at the undergraduate level, for a minimum of 138 units to receive both degrees. Students who complete a blended program will receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Upon completion of 120 semester units and with the completion of all requirements for the bachelor's degree, students in blended programs will be awarded the bachelor's degree. Upon completion of the requirements for the master's degree, students will be awarded the master's degree.
Students interested in applying to a blended program must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at Chico State and must meet and maintain the minimum GPA of the existing master's degree entrance requirements for all bachelor's coursework completed at the time of the application to the blended program, or show promise to reach this level as determined by the program. Once admitted to the blended program, students shall not be required to apply for admission to the master's program.
Blended Public Administration BA + MPA
Eligibility
The blended BA + MPA is for highly motivated, well-qualified students. The program allows a student to apply after completing at least 60 units toward their bachelor's degree with a 2.5 minimum GPA. A total of 15 units in the major, including PADM 260, POLS 331W, and at least one course from the public administration electives must be completed before applying.
Application Procedure
Application deadlines: April 1 for fall start, November 1 for spring start.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria may submit an application for admission to the blended program. Formal application through Cal State Apply is not necessary and the student is not required to pay an application fee. GRE scores are not required. Students must meet the requirements outlined below to change to blended graduate status and continue toward the master's degree.
Grading Requirement
Once in the blended program, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during their remaining undergraduate and graduate semesters.
Transition to Graduate Status
Students can transition to the graduate program after completing all undergraduate degree requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA in all coursework. The Office of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Coordinator will verify graduate program eligibility at the end of the semester in which the bachelor's degree is completed. Qualified students change to graduate status effective the following semester.
Requirements for the Blended BA + MPA
The blended program allows the courses below to count toward both degrees.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are clear, measurable statements that describe how students demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and values of the discipline as appropriate to the degree. Graduates of this program are expected to achieve the following PLOs:
Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of public administration theories, concepts, and practices.
Apply analytical and critical thinking skills to solve complex public policy problems.
Evaluate the ethical implications of administrative decisions in the public sector.
Develop effective written and oral communication skills for diverse public service contexts.
Analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data to inform evidence-based decision-making in public organizations.
Demonstrate proficiency in budgeting, financial management, and human resource management in public and nonprofit settings.
Apply principles of cultural competence and inclusivity in public service delivery.
