Columbia College Bachelor's in Public Administration

Study public administration at Columbia College

A degree in public administration at Columbia College offers students insights into the planning, coordination and management that help public service organizations fulfill their missions.

Students whose goal is to benefit society through work in a public, private or non-profit role will gain both theoretical and practical knowledge that can be applied to real-life scenarios.

You’ll study the many elements that go into public decisions, from values and ethics to economics to psychology. You can choose whether to focus on the science and analysis that inform decisions or on the human impacts of those decisions within the communities you serve.

This program provides a thorough understanding of public policy and government at the local, state and federal levels that’s ideal for furthering your learning through a graduate program.

Opportunities to study:

• Public Policy
• Non-Profit Organization and Management
• Public Financial Resources Management
• Public Human Resources Management
• Public Decision Making
• Values and Ethics in Public Administration

Prepare for a career of leadership and service

The decisions public administrators make can have far-reaching impacts. In this program, you will learn to weigh both the outcomes of past decisions and the possibilities for the future when you address current issues.

Workplaces from government to health care to non-profit organizations value skills in financial management, human resource administration and research methods. You will gain all of those, as well as knowledge of human behavior and organizational psychology.

At Columbia College, you will be prepared to work in a variety of careers such as urban planning, city management, hospital administration, fundraising or international humanitarian relief. You’ll also be ready for a graduate program or law school.

Some possible paths include:

• Public official
• Policy analyst
• Lobbyist
• City management
• Health care administration
• Urban planner
• Journalist
• Non-profit administration