Public Administration

Why earn your Bachelor of Public Administration at Washburn?

Are you passionate about advancing the public good, sustainability, and equity? Earning your Bachelor of Public Administration at Washburn will prepare you to become an exceptionally versatile leader in public service. You will gain the skills to solve your community’s biggest challenges using a foundation of critical thinking across political, social, economic, legal and analytical spectrums.

In addition, if you are looking to specialize in the non-profit sector, you can enhance your expertise with our Certificate of Nonprofit Management, jointly offered by the Political Science Department and the Family and Human Services Department. This specialized program is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in nonprofit management.

Career Forecast Growing Outlook.Average Salary $126,930 depending on field and degreeon campus

What is Public Administration?

Public administration can be referred to as "government in action" or "the business of government". Public and non-profit administrators lead implementation of legislation and public policy for the betterment of their respective communities. They also help shape those laws and policies as city/state/federal administrators, city managers, non-profit leaders, private consultants, school administrators, urban and regional planners, grant writers, human resource professionals, etc.

What sets Public Administration at Washburn apart?

Because of Washburn's location in Topeka as the capital of Kansas, the relationships with State, Local, and Non-Profits agencies, and a network of professional alumni in the area, you will have unique access to public administration internship, work placement and mentoring opportunities unlike anywhere else in Kansas.

At Washburn, public administration majors will experience a deeper appreciation of political inter-relatedness since the program is housed within the Political Science Department. With a revamped curriculum and a faculty emphasis on seasoned practitioners applying real-world experiences, you will learn today's best practices and skills for a dynamic public service career including many study abroad choices and exposure to inter-disciplinary fields outside the Political Science Department.

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Scholarships

Admissions scholarships

Washburn University offers generous scholarships based on your interests, career aspirations, community service and academic success.

Public Administration scholarships

You're eligible for a variety of scholarships based on academic performance and career pursuits. Available for incoming freshmen, current and transfer students. Applications are due early in the spring semester for the following year.

• Admissions scholarships
  Admissions scholarships
• Public Administration scholarships
  Public Administration scholarships

Cost and financial aid

Tuition and fees

Courses in this program are offered at the Traditional Undergraduate rate.

Financial aid

Washburn University offers generous undergraduate financial aid, including scholarships and grants.

Tuition waivers

If you don’t currently live in Kansas, learn about our Tuition Waiver programs that may qualify you for in-state tuition.

• Tuition and fees
  Tuition and fees
• Financial aid
  Financial aid
• Tuition waivers
  Tuition waivers

Requirements and sample schedules

Many public administration majors go on to work in federal, state, or local governments, non-profits, private sector companies that work closely with them, or advanced graduate programs such as urban/regional planning or public administration. Below are typical 4-year plans for "Management Analyst" and "Sustainable Communities" concentrations.

You'll also find information about our 15 credit hour minor in public administration and requirements for the non-profit management certificate.

• Mgmt Anlyst Sample Sch (PDF)

• Sustain Com Sample Sch (PDF)

• Required Courses

• Public Admin. Minor

• Non-profit mgmt. cert.

Enroll at WU and declare major

It is common to declare a major in political science at enrollment and then determine your specific interest.

Study abroad or internship

You can study abroad and complete one or more internships in this program. Work with your advisor to plan what’s best for your goals.

Bachelor's degree

Washburn Career Engagement provides several career fairs and career-readiness workshops, including resume editing and mock-interview practice.

Workforce or graduate school

One in five graduates of this program go directly to graduate school. This could be for a Master’s of Public Administration or advanced training in urban or regional planning, or a variety of other fields.

Set for Success

CAREER FORECAST: growing outlook

Common internship sites

City government

Non-profit agencies

Kansas Governor’s Office

Student/faculty ratio

14:1

Our graduates are respected for

Critical thinking

Professionalism and ethics

Written and oral communication and research skills

Program cost

Courses in this program are offered at the Traditional Undergraduate rate. Students are eligible for scholarships and financial aid.

• Tuition

• Financial aid

• Admissions scholarships

• Department scholarships

Internships

Graduate with experience

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Become and Ichabod!

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LEAP program

Thinking about law school? This program is for you!

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GET IN TOUCH WITH Department of Political Science

Department of Political Science
Henderson Learning Resource Center, Room 215
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621

Phone & Email
Phone: 785.670.1737
political-science@washburn.edu