Undergraduate

Public Administration

Explore a comprehensive curriculum related to public policy, leadership, human resource management, and public sector budget and finance.

2026

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Location

Online

Courses

24*

Credit

120 hrs.*

Full-time

Varies (Transfer up to 90 credits)

Part-time

Varies (Transfer up to 90 credits)

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College of Professional Studies

The online Bachelor of Science in Public Administration at the University of New Hampshire offers a comprehensive curriculum related to public policy, leadership, human resource management, and public sector budget and finance. Designed for current and aspiring public sector professionals, students learn about public policy, analyze government structures, and develop leadership skills for roles in public service, nonprofits, and government agencies. Graduates are well prepared for careers in public service, nonprofits, and government agencies, or for further graduate study with our M.S. Leadership or related program.

If you would like to learn about our accelerated master's programs, please contact your advisor.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

College of Professional Studies

What is Public Administration?

The Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration offers students depth and breadth in public administration, leadership, and public policy. The degree is designed to meet the educational needs of public administration professionals and includes an appropriate foundation for further graduate study for a Master’s in Public Administration or Master’s in Leadership. The outcomes-based program is built upon a foundation of essential public administration competencies that are integrated throughout the curriculum: public administration, leadership, public policy, ethics, strategic communication, human resource management, budgeting and finance, government relations, and community engagement.

Why study Public Administration at UNH College of Professional Studies?

The public administration profession offers a range of career paths such as municipal management, law enforcement, firefighting, and even nonprofit roles that serve the community. This program includes courses related to public policy, leadership, human resource management, and public sector budget and finance.

Potential Career Areas

Public Administration and Policy Analyst
Government Program Coordinator/Administrator
Nonprofit Manager/Administrator
Human Resources Specialist
Community Development Specialist
Policy Advocate/Researcher
Public Relations Specialist
Urban or Regional Planner
Budget Analyst/Financial Manager
Emergency Management Specialist

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

Degree Plan

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH CPS Online undergraduate students should develop individual academic plans with their academic advisor during their first year at UNH.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
APST 405	Career Development and Planning	2
CMPL 402	Excel	2
ENG 420	The Writing Process	4
PADM 500	Introduction to Public Administration	4
General Education Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
COM 460	Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics	4
CRIT 501	Introduction to Critical Inquiry	4
HUMN 480	Introduction to Ethics	4
MTH 402 or MTH 504 or MTH 510	Math for Our World or Statistics or Pre-Calculus	4
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
COM 480	Visual Communication	4
HRM 580	Change Management	4
MTH 504	Statistics	4
General Education Course		4
	Credits	16
Spring
DAT 510	Introduction to Data Analytics	4
LD 600 or LD 660	Becoming an Effective Leader or Leadership Theory	4
General Education Course		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Third Year
Fall
CRIT 602	Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking	4
PADM 600	Public Policy Development and Implementation	4
COM 665 or LD 725	Media and Strategic Communication or Volunteer Leadership	4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
PADM 645	Public Sector Budget and Finance	4
PADM 670	Human Resources in the Public Sector	4
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Fourth Year
Fall
APST 705 or MGMT 706	Grant Writing or Fundraising and Resource Development	4
IDIS 601		4
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	16
Spring
MGMT 797 or MGMT 795	Integrative Capstone: Industry-Based Project or Integrative Capstone: Industry-Based Internship	4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
	Total Credits	120

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 120 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 30 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.0 is required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: General Education Program

Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.

*GPA: Major and any state certification GPA requirements may be higher and are indicated in program details.

A minimum grade of C- is required in all Major coursework. Some programs may have higher grade requirements for Major coursework as noted in the Major requirements section below. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor, and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor. Please note that Option requirements are considered part of the Major. Students must complete 16 upper-level credits in majors within the College of Professional Studies, Online.

General Education Program Requirements

A minimum grade of D- is required in all General Education coursework. Students are allowed a maximum of two course overlaps. Overlaps can be used between Major, Minor and General Education requirements with only 8 credits overlapped between the Major and Minor.

All General Education requirements must be taken prior to the capstone.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ENG 420	The Writing Process	4
COM 460	Interpersonal Communication and Group Dynamics	4
COM 480	Visual Communication	4
CRIT 501	Introduction to Critical Inquiry	4
Select one of the following:		4
MTH 402	Math for Our World
MTH 504	Statistics
MTH 510	Pre-Calculus
Knowledge of Human Behavior & Social Systems		4
Knowledge of the Physical & Natural World		4
Knowledge of Human Thought & Expression		4
CRIT 602	Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking	4
IDIS 601A	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Being Happy	4
or IDIS 601B	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Business of Beer
or IDIS 601C	Interdisciplinary Seminar: Paranormal Activities
Total Credits		40

Writing Program Requirements

All bachelor's degree candidates are required to complete four writing intensive courses as part of the University Writing Program Requirements as follows:

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
ENG 420	The Writing Process
One Writing Intensive course in the Major
One Writing Intensive course at the 600-level or above
One Additional Writing Intensive Course

Writing Intensive courses are identified with the label "Writing Intensive Course" in the "Attributes" section of the course description and/or a W following the course number.

Major Requirements

Prior to capstone enrollment, students are expected to complete the majority of their required major courses along with CRIT 602 Advanced Critical Analysis and Strategic Thinking and IDIS 601 . Students should consult with their advisor regarding specific major courses that may be completed with their capstone. Academic Advisor approval is required for registration to be processed.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Major in Public Administration
Foundation Courses
APST 405	Career Development and Planning	2
CMPL 402	Excel	2
DAT 510	Introduction to Data Analytics	4
HUMN 480	Introduction to Ethics	4
PADM 500	Introduction to Public Administration	4
Intermediate Courses
MTH 504	Statistics	4
HRM 580	Change Management	4
PADM 600	Public Policy Development and Implementation	4
PADM 645	Public Sector Budget and Finance	4
PADM 670	Human Resources in the Public Sector	4
Advanced Courses
APST 705	Grant Writing	4
or MGMT 706	Fundraising and Resource Development
LD 600	Becoming an Effective Leader	4
or LD 660	Leadership Theory
LD 725	Volunteer Leadership	4
or COM 665	Media and Strategic Communication
Integrative Capstone
MGMT 795	Integrative Capstone: Industry-Based Internship	4
or MGMT 797	Integrative Capstone: Industry-Based Project
Total Credits		52

Electives

Open electives are courses students will need to take in addition to their general education and major requirements in order to satisfy the remaining credit totals for their programs. Open electives are defined as any credit course offered by the College not already included in the student's general education, major, option or minor. Students will need 120 credits total to graduate with a bachelor's degree from the Online Division of the College of Professional Studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Develop the ability to lead and manage in the public interest.
Participate in, and contribute to, the policy process.
Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment.
Articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective.
Communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large.

Seek Leadership Roles in the Public Administration Fields

This program is designed for those who have established a foundation or a career in these fields, and will build upon what you’ve already learned on-the-job and through prior study.

This four-year administration program offers courses related to public policy, leadership, human resource management, and public sector budget and finance.

Course Highlights

Principles of Economics
Great Civilizations
United States History: 1865 to the Present
Themes in World History
American Government and Politics
The U.S. in World Affairs
Physical Geography
Statistics
Students with Disabilities
The Dynamic Role of the Special Educator Transition Planning and Developing IEPs
Teaching Language Arts and Literacy
...and more!

Key Benefits of UNH CPS Online

Advantages

100% online courses – Learn from anywhere with flexible scheduling.
8-week terms – Move toward your goals faster.
Affordable tuition – Among the lowest in New England and nationwide.
Nationally ranked – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and Best Online Bachelor’s for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report.
Regionally accredited – By the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE).
Generous transfer credit policy – About 89% of our students transfer in; we specialize in maximizing your previous college coursework and other college-level learning.
Credit for prior learning – Earn credit for relevant work experience, military training, and other learning outside the classroom.
Rolling admissions – Apply anytime and start in the term that works for you.
No GMAT or GRE required – Streamlined admissions process.
Expert faculty – Instructors are subject matter experts who share real-world experience to help you apply what you learn to your career goals.
Career advising for life – Available to all students, alumni, and even prospective students exploring their options.

Transfer Pathways

Whether you completed your associate degree or took a few courses, we have experience working with community college students nationwide and we are experts at maximizing your transfer credits. We are proud of our formal partnerships to support community college graduates through our Transfer Pathways.

Students pursuing an associate degree at a New Hampshire community college are encouraged to explore our Transfer Pathway below.

B.S. Public Administration CCSNH Transfer Pathway

Admission Requirements

Completion of our free, online application for admission
High school diploma, completion of a high school education in a homeschool setting under state law, or demonstrate high school equivalency.
- Successful completion of one of the following exams will be required for demonstrating high school equivalency: the GED, HiSET, or TASC

Accelerated Graduate Program

For motivated undergraduate students interested in pursuing a graduate degree, you can pair this program with an accelerated M.S. in Leadership option that allows you to streamline the completion of your educational goals. This option allows students to complete their bachelor’s and graduate degrees in a fast-tracked five-year timeline.

Qualifications:

Current UNH undergraduate student enrolled in one of the following programs:
GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Apply and be accepted to the M.S. Leadership program.
Completed 90 undergraduate credits (to begin taking courses for dual credit). Most students apply in their junior year; once admitted to the program, students can begin taking select courses for dual credit, provided they’ve completed 90 undergraduate credits.

If you're interested in enrolling in an accelerated graduate program, contact your advisor.

Opportunities for Airmen

Finish Your Bachelor's Degree With the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF)

The AU-ABC partnership between Air University and the UNH College of Professional Studies allows you to apply your CCAF Associate in Applied Science toward this online bachelor's degree. All CCAF degrees are transferable into this program.

Download Our Program Planning File

Credit for What you Know

Your Prior Learning Counts

Many of our students can demonstrate college-level knowledge gained from military, workplace and volunteer-based training, and experiences. We are experts at helping students demonstrate learning and earning academic credit.