Public Administration program

Shape the policies that shape our world

Every day, policy decisions — from school funding and public safety to healthcare and environmental protection — impact the way we live. Public Administration is the study of how these decisions are made, implemented, and managed. If you're interested in understanding and influencing the processes behind public policy, a degree in public administration could be the right path for you.

A public administration degree equips students with versatile skills in leadership, analysis, and communication, preparing them for careers in government, consulting, policy development, business, political communication, and the nonprofit sector.

UW-La Crosse offers one of the few undergraduate Public Administration programs in Wisconsin. Our faculty are dedicated mentors who support students through internships, research, study abroad, and hands-on learning experiences that connect theory with real-world impact.

Undergrad major Undergrad minor

A program within the Department of Political Science & Public Administration

What is Public Administration?

Public Administration refers to what government does. It covers law, regulation and the executive function. It also includes organizing and managing people and resources to achieve the goals of government and implement public policy. Students who major in public administration take courses in public policy and administration, public and non-profit management, economics, research methodology and more.

UWL gave me the academic knowledge and hands-on experiences to pursue a career in city planning. Faculty support, research on public policy, and leadership opportunities helped me grow as a first-gen student. I’m leaving UWL confident in my path and prepared for grad school and public service.

Justin Poley

Pre-college tips

Get prepared

Test taking strategies Tips to do your best on exams and reduce test anxiety

How to study effectively Learn 11 essential study skills to retain information, stay focused and understand more

How to learn Improve your study methods with the four S’s of successes

Public administration jobs

Many graduates choose career paths associated with the public administration major. Other graduates choose unrelated careers that use skills and experiences developed during their time in college. Keep in mind that some fields will require graduate study or further training. The list below offers a few examples of possible career paths.

Positions

City manager
Campaign manager
Congressional or white house aide
Contract specialist
Educator
Election supervisor
Environmental activist
Foreign services officer
Government officer
Labor relations specialist
Law enforcement officer
Lawyer
Legislative assistant
Lobbyist
Paralegal or legal assistant
Peace corps officer
Policy staff assistant
Political consultant
Program evaluator
Public interest group director
Speech or technical writer
Urban/ regional planner

What distinguishes UWL's Public Administration program?

Top program nationally

UWL's program has been nationally ranked No. 29 for the Best Affordable Degree for Public Administration by University HQ. The rankings consider a variety of factors such as cost of tuition, admission rate, retention rate, graduation rate, graduating salary, diplomas awarded and more.

Commitment to community involvement

UWL's Department of Political Science and Public Administration places a high value on the Wisconsin Idea, which is the idea that the university's boundaries extend beyond the classroom. The department faculty and students are frequently engaging in outreach and developing projects and other connections that extend into the community.

Student organizations

Students interested in getting involved and exploring interests in political science, public administration, and legal studies, can choose from several department-affiliated student organizations. These include the Political Science and Public Administration Association, Pre-Law Society, College Republicans and College Democrats.

Undergraduate research

Students find many ways to conduct research within the department such as working jointly with a faculty member on a project, pursuing their own research opportunity, or engaging in original research as part of class. Because of UWL's size and the dedication of faculty in the department, many students are able to engage in research opportunities with faculty mentors.

Internships and study abroad

Students in the department engage in many hands-on methods to learn material such as study abroad and internships. The Political Science & Public Administration Department works closely with Career Services to help students find opportunities for internships and register for internship credit. Students find study abroad opportunities through International Education and Engagement.

Network connects student projects to civic leaders

The UWL Policy Research Network was created to help undergraduates conduct research and prepare reports for civic leaders. The goal of this network is to provide students with valuable, real-world experience and to strengthen ties with civic leaders.

Transferable skills

Political science offers great training for careers in politics, but it also offers foundational skills that can be applied to any career such as quantitative and qualitative analysis, advanced written communication, research methods and critical thinking.

Sample courses

PUB 320 Public Budgeting and Finance An examination of the public budgetary process. Included are studies of the various approaches to taxation, decision-making and policy evaluation. Prerequisite: PUB 210. Offered Fall.

PUB 334 Health Policy An intensive, in-depth analysis of health policies - their development, administration, effects and relationship to the broader political system. The perspectives of the policy maker and public policy analyst are emphasized. Prerequisite: POL 102 or junior standing. Offered Alternate Years.

PUB 338 Environmental Policy An in-depth exploration of environmental politics and policy making beginning with American environmentalism in the 1960s and concluding with global environmental politics in the 21st century. Environmental issues, ethics, institutional problems, philosophical approaches, economic analyses and implementation problems will be studied. Prerequisite: POL 102 or junior standing. Offered Occasionally.

PUB 346 Ethical Decision Making in Government This course familiarizes students with a set of concepts, frameworks, and approaches for reasoning, arguing, and writing about the normative issues that confront public administrators. We will connect concepts from political philosophy and applied ethics - including utility, liberty, justice, rights, and deliberative democracy - to assess real-world challenges facing government administrators. The course also addresses why ethical failures occur by explaining such concepts as administrative evil, lying, blind spots, moral hazard, and how deviancy is justified. Last, students will understand the various ways of combating unethical behavior, to include whistleblowing, inspectors general, and expressing loyal dissent. Prerequisite: PUB 210 or legal studies minor. Offered Annually.

PUB 451 Civic Engagement and the Wisconsin Idea The study of the Wisconsin Idea of Community Service and late twentieth century communitarian and service learning philosophies are examined. The course includes service learning work in non-profit and local governmental agencies as well as the study of the meaning of democracy, citizenship, personal political efficacy, leadership and political culture. Lect. 1, Lab 4. Prerequisite: junior standing. Offered Occasionally.

PUB 453 Nonprofit Organizations The management of nonprofit organizations has become an increasingly important field of study given the importance and role of nonprofit organizations within our society. This course will provide students with a general overview of management practices that are specific to nonprofit organizations. Specifically, this course will examine the scope, dimensions, and roles of nonprofit organizations, particularly those designated by the IRS as 501(c)(3), in order to understand their distinctive characteristics and functions in society. Prerequisite: POL 102 or junior standing. Offered Occasionally.