Government and the public sector have increasingly become major players in nearly every facet of society. Gaining the knowledge of and skills in government process, policy, procedure, and the law could be essential for success in a wide variety of jobs.* The Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Policy focuses on the study of organization, structure, and processes of government through an interdisciplinary lens, and is designed to help students develop an understanding of the issues and challenges confronting society locally, nationally, and globally.

 Program Highlights 

Kaplan University’s Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Policy offers students an opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of the processes of policy development and implementation through direct government action as well as public and private interaction. The curriculum focuses on:

  • Structure and processes of the government
  • Economics of public administration
  • Evolution of law and policy
  • Tools used to implement policy
  • Processes by which public policy is formulated and implemented
  • Goals of public policy
  • Methods and tools used to evaluate and design policy

A Fast Track to a Master’s Degree

Eligible students in this bachelor's degree program who want to continue on to pursue a master's degree within the School of Criminal Justice or School of Legal Studies may be interested in the accelerated master's degree option. Students complete graduate-level courses within this undergraduate plan of study. Once accepted to the master’s degree program, students transfer in the graduate courses and matriculate into a shortened degree plan. This accelerated option allows students to complete both their bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than completing both programs separately. Accelerated options are offered for the following programs:

Qualification for accelerated options is subject to eligibility requirements. Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

 Curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Policy 

    Courses Credits
    Communication Elective 5
    Mathematics Elective 5
    Communication Elective 5
    Arts and Humanities Elective 6
    Physical Science Elective 6
    Social Science Elective 6
    Courses Credits
    Eight Skills of the Effective Legal Studies Student 5
    Macroeconomics 5
    Statistics 5
    Introduction to Public Administration 5
    Introduction to State and Local Government 5
    Ethics and Public Administration 5
    Introduction to Policy Making 5
    Introduction to Administrative Law 5
    Socially Responsible Leadership 5
    Constitutional Law 6
    Public Policy Analysis 6
    Finance and Budgeting in the Public Sector 6
    The Oversight and Administration of Public Funds 6
    Private and Public Sector Partnerships 6
    Planning for Economic Growth and Development 6
    Program Evaluation OR 6
    Grant Writing
    Bachelor’s Capstone in Public Administration and Policy 6
    Courses Credits
    Open Electives* 54
    Total Program Requirements 180

 Already Have College Credits? 

Let us evaluate your transcripts. You may qualify for our Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Policy program and be eligible to earn your bachelor's degree from Kaplan University in as little as two years.†

 What Are the Career Opportunities? 

The Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Policy could give degree holders the opportunity to pursue careers that support public service agencies including: coordinator of government relations, risk manager, contract administrator, legislative assistant, research and policy associate, health policy analyst, program administrator, purchasing manager, contracting officer, contracting specialist, and assistant director of volunteer services.*

For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour$371.00
Total program requirements180
Total cost of tuition$66,780.00

This program requires a $100.00 technology fee per term. Effective June 5, 2010, a minimum tuition deposit, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, is required at the time of enrollment. The deposit will be credited toward your tuition when you begin classes. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs. Refer to the University Catalog for transfer of credit policy. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Kaplan University offers tuition discounts to active-duty military servicemembers and veterans. Call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor.

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*Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job or employed at all.
†Speak to an Admissions Advisor or refer to our University Catalog for details about our Transfer of Credit policy.