Public Service & Administration Major (BA)
Chair: Theodoros Arapis, Ph.D.
Office Location: Gary Hall, G43
Telephone: 610-519-3934
Website
The major in Public Service and Administration (PSA) in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) provides undergraduate students with an interdisciplinary course of study to: (1) reflect on the long tradition of public service both in the United States and abroad; (2) engage critically with the scholarly literature in the field; (3) examine historical and modern-day examples of public service leadership; and (4) equip them with the relevant competencies and skills to lead and serve as ethical, intelligent, inclusive, and creative leaders in public service organizations, from nonprofit organizations, to local, state, and federal government, to the private sector.
PRIMARY MAJOR (122 credits)
Required Major Courses (30 Credits)
All students majoring in PSA would be required to take the seven (7) courses listed below and at least one (1) elective PSA course.
Program Notes:
- This major is the BA in CLAS. For the BIS see degree page entitled: 'Public Service & Administration Major (BIS)'.
- Students would be permitted to count six (6) credits from already-approved courses in other departments towards the PSA major
- CPS students currently enrolled in the PSA major will complete the existing curriculum, but new CPS students enrolled in Fall 2022 will complete the new curriculum.
- CLAS students completing the PSA major will not be permitted to enroll in Fast Forward sections offered by CPS (unless they have been given special permission), but the CLAS students may take online PSA summer courses offered by CPS.
Core Curriculum Requirements (44 credits)
Free Elective Requirement (48 credits)
Students with a Public Service & Administration (BA) primary major have forty-eight (48) required free elective credits.
Degree Credit Summary
- Major Credits: 30 credits
- Core Credits: 44 credits
- Free Electives Credits: 48 credits
- Total Required Credits: 122 Credits
Note: The above credit totals are based on the minimum number of required credits in each degree area. The minimum number of required credits in each area listed above must be met. Credits taken beyond the required minimum for one area may not be applied to another area.
SECONDARY MAJOR
Students who declare Public Service & Administration (BA) as a secondary major must complete the Required Major Courses to achieve this major. Students are able to count any eligible course taken in their primary major, the core curriculum, minors, concentrations, or free electives toward these requirements.