Program: Public Administration, B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences - San Diego State University

Mar 13, 2025

2023/2024 University Catalog

(Major Code: 21021) (SIMS Code: 666901)

Also Offered at SDSU Imperial Valley

All candidates for a degree in applied arts and sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements .”

A minor is not required with this major.

Preparation for the Major

(21 units)

These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC. The minimum grade in each class is C.

P A 200 - The Urban Scene Units: 3
ACCTG 201 - Financial Accounting Fundamentals Units: 3
ECON 101 - Principles of Economics Units: 3
ECON 102 - Principles of Economics Units: 3
MIS 180 - Principles of Information Systems Units: 3
POL S 102 - Introduction to American and California Government and Politics Units: 3
A three unit course in statistics

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

Major

Within this program, students may build an informal concentration by selecting a cluster of courses in such areas as personnel and labor relations, urban management, urban planning, public finance and budgeting, information systems, and environmental management. Interested students must seek guidance from a public administration program faculty adviser.

A minimum of 36 upper division units to include

P A 301 - Concepts and Issues in Public Administration Units: 3
P A 310 - Management of Urban Governments Units: 3
P A 330 - Public Personnel Administration Units: 3
P A 340 - Administrative Behavior Units: 3
P A 450 - Fiscal and Budgetary Policy Units: 3
P A 460 - Administration and Public Policy Development Units: 3
P A 497 - Investigation and Report Units: 3
or
P A 498 - Internship in Public Administration Units: 2-6 But not both.
Nine units of public administration electives
Six additional units selected with the approval of an adviser from the public administration faculty

Master Plan

Students should follow the Master Plan Advising Guide to ensure completion of major requirements. Contact the School of Public Affairs for a copy of the guide or download at https://spa.sdsu.edu/documents/PA_AdvisingGuide_Packet.pdf.