Public Administration - Certificate of Achievement

The Certificate of Achievement in Public administration enables students to become effective public administrators. Public administrators plan, lead, and control the work of organizations including governments, regulatory and law enforcement agencies, and public service departments. They implement public policies, set budgets, produce public goods and services, implement laws and manage public resources like people, money, equipment, information, and work processes. They work throughout government at the federal, state, and local levels as well as in community agencies, private not-for-profit organizations, planning and consulting firms, and private sector organizations.

This program prepares students for entry level positions in the field of public administration or to complete a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration or a related major at a four-year university.

We anticipate an annual completion rate of 60 students once the CoA is fully established.  The required courses in this CoA are already well-established and offer our students many opportunities to enroll and to become aware of this CoA option.

Public Administration Certificate of Achievement and courses will offer students the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of government and how it works. They will have an understanding that government is a dichotomy between the politics and the bureaucracy. This program prepares our students to earn the As-T in Political Science and the ability to transfer to a bachelor's degree program in Political Science, Public Administration, Economics, Criminal Justice Administration, Public Policy and Organizational Studies.

Students will demonstrate understanding of the environment in which governmental organizations operate.

Students will provide theoretical as well as practical knowledge on management of public organizations, including personnel and financial management that are necessary for public officials.

Students will show capacity to become an ethical and effective leader with appropriate communication skills.

Students will demonstrate understanding of current issues and trends in government administrative settings and provide knowledge on addressing challenges created by those changes.

Students will demonstrate basic understanding of theories, concepts and practices relevant to public administration and its sub-fields.

Students will have acquired critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are applied in the public service realm.

Students will demonstrate the appropriate skills to be able to administer public programs in their chosen sub-field of public administration in particular public management, business administration, nonprofit management, and environmental administration.

Students will assess their knowledge and experience of ethics and integrity in public service and reflect on ways to incorporate public service values in administering agencies, policies and programs.

Students will demonstrate proficiency in clear oral and written communication by presenting succinct, well-organized materials and analysis tailored to the needs of their audience.

Public Administration - Certificate of Achievement