Public Administration AS

The Public Administration AS Degree is a great option for students interested in professional careers or advancement in government and non-profit agencies, and is designed to transfer seamlessly to Metropolitan State University's Human Services Leadership and Administration bachelor's degree program.

Quick Facts

Overview

The program prepares students for entry-level careers in public administration, and through a partnership with Metropolitan State University, provides on-going training for all stages of the public administration career journey. Coursework for this associate program includes basic principles, concerns and methods of public services, public policy analysis, public finance and budgeting, ethics, and communication and public relations.

Delivery Method: In-person, Hybrid, Online

Important Links

Public Administration AS Curriculum PDF

Public Administration Course Outlines and Descriptions

Free College Tuition - North Star Promise Scholarship

Time to Complete

The Public Administration AS degree program can be completed in four semesters. Transferring credits into NHCC may result in the program taking less time. Taking classes on a part-time basis will require additional semesters.

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Costs

Tuition & Fees:
$210.86 per credit (60 credits)
$220.48 per fully online credit

Tuition Details

What You Will Learn

• Understand the history, present, and future of Public Administration.

• Identify and define public problems, identify and evaluate policy solutions, and make educated recommendations to policymakers.

• Understand the political, legal, ethical and social context of public administration.

• Explain how to transform the way we think, prioritize, and deliver public relations services, and describe media techniques used to develop and maintain positive public image.

• Understand and apply basic analysis of revenue sources and expenditures of public finance and budgeting.

After NHCC

After completing the Public Administration AS degree at NHCC, students are prepared for entry-level jobs in the public administration field, and can transfer seamlessly to Metropolitan State University's Human Services Leadership and Administration bachelor's degree program.

Transfer Options

NHCC's Public Administration AS Degree program is designed to transfer seamlessly to Metropolitan State University's Human Services Leadership and Administration bachelor's degree program.

Students can increase their career opportunities by continuing on to either the Public Administration Master's degree or Advocacy and Political Leadership degree at Metropolitan State University.

north hennepin and metro state logos with a plus sign

Public Administration Career Outlook

Whether in government, non-profit, or the private sector, creating and administering effective policy can have a significant positive impact on an organization and community. Leaders in public administration use skills gained in their education and professional experience to address important societal issues by shaping and implementing policy, projects, and programs. Students can increase their career opportunities with further education.

Entry-Level Careers

Trainee Administrative Assistant: $40-70K annually
City Clerk: $48-72K annually
Office Support Specialist: $33-62K annually
Office Support Representative: $39-51K annually

Bachelor's Level Careers

Program Manager: $56-$86K annually
Administrative Specialist: $52-$80K annually
Administrative Assistant: $48-$70K annually
Support Technician: $41-$57K annually

Master's Level Careers

Executive Director: $130-$180K annually
Director: $120-$170K annually
Contract Administrator: $80-$103K annually
Economic Support Supervisor: $78-$93K annually

Source: Approximate advertised wage range based on job postings in Minnesota April-October 2023. Wages, education and experience requirements vary by employer.

For more career and wage data, visit Minnesota Employment and Economic Development.

NHCC's tuition is among the most affordable in Minnesota.

Graph showing the costs of various colleges with NHCC as the lowest cost

Financial Aid

Scholarships are money you don't have to repay
Grants are money you don't have to repay

Free College Tuition

The North Star Promise scholarship program provides free college tuition to eligible students. Find out if you might be eligible.

Program Roadmaps

Program roadmaps provide students with a guide to understand the recommended course sequence to complete their degree.

Public Administration Curriculum

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Curriculum

Print Curriculum

Program Courses
PADM 1100 and
PADM 1200 and
PADM 1300 and
ECON 1070 and
POLS 1100 and
PHIL 1120 and
CIS 1220 or
CIS 1101 and
HSER 1100 and
PADM 1700

Elective Courses
PSYC 2360 or
BUS 1110 or
SOC 2210 or
HSER 1400

General Education Courses
ENGL 1201 or
ENGL 1200 and
ENGL 1202 or
ENGL 1203 and
ECON 1060 and
COMM 2610 and
HSER 1200 or
COMM 1310 and
SOC 1110 and
PSYC 1150

MnTC Electives
Goal Area 3 Natural Science (Lab Recommended) - 3 credits
Goal Area 4 Mathematical Logical Reasoning (3 credits)
Goal Area 6 Humanities Fine Arts (NOT Philosophy Course) - 3 credits

Total Credits Required

Program Overview

2024-2025

The Associate of Science (AS) in Public Administration program is designed for students who are interested in transferring after graduation to pursue a bachelor's degree in Human Services Leadership and Administration (BHS) at Metropolitan State University (MSU). This associate is part of Multi-Campus Collaboration pathways program of 2+2+1 model between NHCC and MSU, whereby students can also earn a Master’s in Public Administration while earning their bachelor’s degree at Metro State University. Coursework for this Associate program includes such areas as basic principles, concerns and methods of public services, public policy analysis, public finance & budgeting, ethics, economic, and communication & public relations.

Program Outcomes

Public Administration (PADM) Associate of Science (AS)

Program Learning Outcomes:

Understand the history, present, and future of Public Administration. (ELO 1)
Identify and define public problems, identify and evaluate policy solutions, and make educated recommendations to policymakers. (ELO 1, 2a, 2e, 4a, 4d)
Understand the political, legal, ethical and social context of public administration. (ELO 1)
Recognize and articulate assumptions that underlie ethical policy development, implementation strategies, and community-engagement, with a focus on emerging communities and communities of color. (ELO 2a, 2e, 3a, 3b)
Understand and apply basic analysis of revenue sources and expenditures of public finance and budgeting. (ELO 1, 2a, 2d, 4a, 4d)
Describe basic economic theories and policies. (ELO 1)
Explain how to transform the way we think, prioritize, and deliver public relations services, and describe media techniques used to develop and maintain positive public image. (ELO 1, 2a, 2b, 3b, 3c, 4a, 4e)
Apply current technology to specific public administration tasks. (ELO 1, 2d, 2e, 3d, 4a)

Program Maps

Program roadmaps provide students with a guide to understand the recommended course sequence to complete their degree.

Career Opportunities

Information on careers, including career descriptions, salary data, and employment outlook is available on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website and O*Net Online website.

Transfer Information

If you are planning on transferring to another institution, follow the guidelines available on our transfer resources web page to help you plan the process: Transfer Information

Degree Information

The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree is intended for students whose primary goal is to complete the credentials for a specific career and/or prepare for transfer to complete a bachelor's degree at a college or university with whom North Hennepin Community College has an articulation agreement. The A.S. degree provides a balance of general education courses and the required scientific, professional or technical courses in the degree program.

A student shall:

Earn a minimum of 60 semester credits as required in the program, with a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or above in courses taken at North Hennepin Community College. Specific programs may have additional requirements or a higher minimum grade point average.
Earn a minimum of 15 semester credits at North Hennepin Community College. A student must complete at least 50% of career specific courses at North Hennepin Community College.
Earn 30 credits in at least 6 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) goal areas.
Earn 30 professional/technical credits.
Have four years to complete the graduation requirements as published in the catalog in effect at the time of their initial enrollment. Students taking more than four years to complete their graduation requirements may follow any catalog published during the four year period preceding their graduation.

Completion of an A.S. degree fulfills the Goal Area 2 requirement of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).

Developmental Courses Some students may need preparatory course(s) in Math and/or English. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward a degree.

Equal Opportunity Employer and Disability Access Information North Hennepin Community College is a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and an equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 7634930555 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 18006273529.

Accreditation

North Hennepin Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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