PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION
Available as a Major, Minor or Certificate
Online & Hybrid
Public Administration is the organization and management of people and materials to achieve public purposes.
PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION MAJOR & MINOR DETAILS
Villanova's Public Service and Administration (PSA) major prepares you for career advancement in government and in nonprofit organizations. In the Public Service and Administration (PSA) major, students are introduced to ethical, philosophic, theological, historical, social, and political perspectives that influence the leadership and management of government and nonprofit organizations.
This major is offered in partnership with the Department of Public Administration and is available fully online and as a hybrid program. Students gain first-hand knowledge of effective practices in the government and nonprofit sectors as well as experience in networking and professional development.
Courses in the major cover topics such as public budgeting, strategic planning, leadership, public policy, ethics, and organizational development. They are taught by an accomplished faculty of scholars and practitioners - including, for example, managers at the federal, state, and local levels, and executives of non-profit organizations.
The Public Service and Administration major is available for students pursuing a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA).
What's the difference between the BIS and BA?
The primary difference between a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) degree and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is the core curriculum that must be completed for each.
Students completing the BIS degree follow a 45-credit core curriculum. This provides more flexibility and choices in selecting classes.
Students completing the BA degree follow the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 50-credit core curriculum, which includes foreign language courses and science courses with a lab. Download a chart that compares the BIS vs BA curricula.
Minor in Public Service and Administration
Students pursuing a different major have the option to add Public Service and Administration as a minor.
Combined BIS/MS
Villanova also offers a combined Bachelor/Masters program option for CPS students pursuing majors in Public Service Administration, Leadership, Organizational Development & Management, or General Studies. This program allows students to earn their Master of Public Administration in an abbreviated timeframe.
View all admissions requirements or explore upcoming admissions events.
Villanova allows students to transfer up to 90 credits from other regionally accredited institutions. Find out more about transfer credits and community college agreements.
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
- Identify key themes in public service and administration, including what makes government and nonprofit organizations distinctive
- Explain managerial practices useful in public service
- Discuss the creation, implementation, and analysis of public programs
- Compare various approaches to the promotion of engaged citizenship
- Design a personal plan based on strategies of innovative leadership, the nature of public values and the vocation of public service
PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION CERTIFICATE DETAILS
A certificate in Public Service & Administration prepares for career advancement in government and in nonprofit organizations.
Consisting of 4 required courses (12 credits), the coursework in the Public Service & Administration Certificate will apply to many different industries and have a wide range of career applications. Pursue the next you with an exceptional public service education from Villanova.
- PA 1050, Public Administration
- PA 2000, Public Policy
- PA 4100, Public Budgeting
- PA 4200, Organizational Development
Requirements for the Certificate in Public Service and Administration:
- You are required to have completed the prerequisites for any course for which you register as indicated in Villanova's Undergraduate Catalog.
Visit the Admissions webpage to view all admissions requirements. Once you have reviewed the process and requirements, you may apply to your program of interest.
Students will earn a digital badge that demonstrates their skills and commitment to furthering their professional education when they successfully complete the full Public Service and Administration Certificate program. These badges are great to display on career platforms like LinkedIn and are a visual way of representing your expertise.
FEATURED FACULTY
Aaron Bibro, Adjunct Faculty and Township Manager
“The PSA major at Villanova will not only provide you with the academic foundation needed to succeed in the public sector, it will also give you the practical skills, networking opportunities, and a stellar reputation to help you advance at your current organization or secure a better job and a better future. The online classes don’t just consist of reading textbooks, watching video lectures and writing papers that you might experience in other programs... the live classes in the PSA major are engaging, fast paced and create an 'on-campus' feel from the comfort and convenience of your living room.”