Mission & Values

The CKU Public Administration major is designed to enhance the quality of democratic governance. We provide training for active citizenship and the development of skills to analyze policy, lead and manage public service organizations, and administer programs across all sectors. Our faculty's scholarship informs debates on current and emerging policy and administration issues, fostering effective teaching to develop collaborative and innovative leaders dedicated to the public interest, democracy, and social justice.

The Public Administration program recognizes, values, and actively promotes the crucial importance of cultivating public service professionals who understand and influence both domestic and international affairs by actively promoting diversity and inclusion within the academic environment, the workplace, and public policy decision-making.

• The academic major is dedicated to nurturing accomplished public servants who play pivotal roles in driving national and social progress.
• Our goal is to foster the growth of future leaders deeply dedicated to advancing the well-being of society.
• We strive to mold responsible citizens for a democratic society, emphasizing values such as morality and a strong sense of public spirit.

Educational Objectives

The Public Administration major is committed to providing an education that prepares students with the following core learning objectives:

• The ability to lead and manage organizations that serve the public good.
• The capacity to work collaboratively across sectors and engage the policy process with integrity and empathy.
• Analytical skills to conduct research and apply evidence in making decisions that serve the public interest.
• The capability to articulate and apply public service values in daily work.

Career Pathways

Students majoring in public administration contribute significantly to their communities by ensuring the creation and effective implementation of policies. Graduates can pursue careers in research, public affairs, and public policy, working with non-profit organizations, government agencies, and other social and civil institutions. Graduates also have the option to continue their education through graduate work or law school. Additionally, students completing the teacher preparation curriculum will be awarded a Level 2 secondary social study teacher license.

Degree Requirements

CKU's Major in Public Administration offers a relevant and exciting introduction to the field, providing frameworks for addressing complex societal challenges and advancing policy change. Students develop the capacity to understand organizations, lead and negotiate, and broaden their understanding of the nonprofit and social sectors. They also learn how to use data and evidence for sound decision-making, design effective public policy, and grow leadership aptitude.

To declare the Public Administration Major, students must complete all core courses and choose a minimum number of selective courses:

• Public Administration Core
  - 1st Academic Year: Introduction to Public Administration, Research Methodology, Theories of Public Organizations, Public Personnel Administration
  - 2nd Academic Year: Principles of Public Policy, Local Administration, Conflict Management & Negotiation, Public Budgeting and Accounting, Government Innovation and Reform, NGO & Civil Society
  - 3rd Academic Year: Policy Analysis, E-Government, Government Regulation
• Public Administration Selectives
  - 3rd Academic Year: Scientific & Situational Judgement Exercise, Public Management, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Public Enterprise, Theories of Government
  - 4th Academic Year: Public Service Leadership, Topics in Public Administration

Degree and Certification

• Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration
• Secondary School Teacher License (Level 2 Social Study)

Course Description

• Introduction to Public Administration
  Introduces the discipline of public administration, including its intellectual traditions, theoretical frameworks, and current challenges and controversies as a professional field of practice and study.
• Research Methodology
  Develops skills and knowledge for conducting original research and critically evaluating empirical studies across various research designs and data collection techniques.
• Theories of Public Organizations
  Examines organizational dynamics, management approaches, and workplace relationships that influence behavior in public sector organizations.
• Public Personnel Administration
  Explores the core values and strategic management practices underlying effective human resources management across a range of functions.
• Principles of Public Policy
  Introduces the discipline of public policy, including how policies and administrative rules are made, their impact on public administration professionals, as well as theoretical frameworks for formulating and implementing policies as a professional field.
• Local Administration
  Explores critical tasks in managing local governments, including regional development, competitiveness, efficiency, and the role of governance institutions and planning in local autonomy.
• Conflict Management & Negotiation
  Surveys theories of conflict management and negotiation, emphasizing policy-making conflicts, differences across institutions, and using analysis to understand and facilitate negotiation.
• Public Budgeting and Accounting
  Introduces financial management concepts and tools essential for public sector budget development, short-term decision making, capital investments, and long-term financial analysis.
• Government Innovation and Reform
  Explores public sector innovation complexities, management and policy challenges in organizational reform efforts, and methodologies for exploring and undertaking governmental reforms.
• NGO & Civil Society
  Explores nonprofit organization/NGO and civil society operations, emphasizing efficiency, strategic management, program performance, and sustainability.
• Policy Analysis
  Develops skills in conducting and critiquing policy analyses across methodologies for analyzing consequences of policy alternatives relevant to decision-making.
• E-Government
  Builds an understanding of emerging 4th Industrial Revolution public sector issues, topics and theories including e-government, smart cities, organizational transformation, and open data.
• Government Regulation
  Examines the growth of administrative regulations and agencies, including their legal powers, organization, processes and procedures.