Bachelor of Science in Public Administration Online

Transition into a government, nonprofit or public-sector career by gaining broad knowledge of community programs, charity initiatives, public regulations and other skills you can apply in any role.

Apply by: 12/17/25
Start class: 1/12/26 Apply Now Apply Now

Program Overview

Focus your career on service with the online Bachelor of Science in Public Administration program

Prepare for a service-driven position at the local, state or federal level when you earn a B.S. in Public Administration. Core courses will equip you with fundamental knowledge of public policy, organizational leadership, budgeting, ethics and other versatile skills that can be used in roles across nonprofit, civic and private-sector organizations.

Study research methods, leadership styles and statistical analysis while developing your writing, communication and collaboration abilities, ensuring you are prepared to make a long-term impact in community advocacy. Graduate with the academic foundation and critical-thinking expertise you need to pursue career advancement, an MPA, law school or another graduate degree.

Graduates of this online degree in public administration program will:

  • Evaluate information for relevancy, usefulness and accuracy and use research in spoken and written contexts to express ideas that support public interest
  • Consider multiple historical and cultural perspectives, and clarify and articulate a personal value system
  • Form ethical and collaborative relationships and recognize opportunities for leadership
  • Develop the strategies for leading with competence, efficiency and objectivity in a variety of contexts
Graduates of this online degree in public administration program will:
  • Evaluate information for relevancy, usefulness and accuracy and use research in spoken and written contexts to express ideas that support public interest
  • Consider multiple historical and cultural perspectives, and clarify and articulate a personal value system
  • Form ethical and collaborative relationships and recognize opportunities for leadership
  • Develop the strategies for leading with competence, efficiency and objectivity in a variety of contexts

Public administration career opportunities include:

  • Program Coordinator
  • Legislative Aide/Policy Assistant
  • Administrative Coordinator
  • Grants Assistant/Development Associate
  • Community Outreach Specialist
  • Public Affairs/Communications Assistant
  • Research Assistant
Public administration career opportunities include:
  • Program Coordinator
  • Legislative Aide/Policy Assistant
  • Administrative Coordinator
  • Grants Assistant/Development Associate
  • Community Outreach Specialist
  • Public Affairs/Communications Assistant
  • Research Assistant

Also available:

Northwest offers a variety of specialized online education program options. Check out our other online undergraduate programs.

Per Credit Hour $347*
Program Transfer Credits: Up to 90 hours
Credit Hours 120

Accreditation:

Higher Learning Commission transparency logo

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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Call 844-890-9304

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Tuition

Use these tuition details and payment options to create your education budget

Our B.S. in Public Administration online program offers affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. There is a $36 per course fee.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course
B.S. Public Administration $347* $1,041

Important Refund Information

2nd day of class Last date for 100% refund for dropped course
4th day of class Last date for 75% refund for dropped course
6th day of class Last date for 50% refund for dropped course
8th day of class Last date for 25% refund for dropped course

Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.

0
90
Transfer Credits: 0
Your Estimated Tuition: $Your Estimated Tuition:
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Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student’s Northwest record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour $347*

Calendar

Keep up with these essential online program dates and deadlines

Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working students, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.

View full calendar +

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring 11/12/2612/17/251/5/261/7/261/8/262/27/26
Spring 23/9/262/16/262/20/262/27/263/3/264/24/26
Summer 15/11/264/21/264/27/265/4/265/6/266/26/26
Summer 26/29/266/8/266/12/266/22/266/24/268/14/26

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date: 12/17/25
Next Class Start Date: 1/12/26
Ready to take the next steps toward

earning your degree?

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Admissions

Get started with the streamlined admission process for your online B.S. in Public Administration

At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the B.S. in Public Administration online, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them. The requirements include:

View all admission requirements +

To apply for this program, you must meet the requirements for one of the sections listed below:

Transfer Criteria

  • Students with 24 or more transferrable credit hours:
    • A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Students with less than 24 transferrable credit hours:
    • Follow freshman admission requirements and have a minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Northwest accepts transfer work from institutions accredited by agencies recognized as Institutional Accreditors on the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs

Returning Students (previously enrolled as degree-seeking at Northwest)

  • A minimum 2.0 cumulative transfer GPA in any coursework completed since last being at Northwest (on 4.0 scale)
  • A probation essay (if returning after being suspended or put on probation) explaining previous time at Northwest, what they've been doing since and how they plan to be successful when they return

Freshman Criteria (Adult - 24+ years old)

  • High school transcript showing graduation date or completion of GED/HiSET
  • Essay
  • ACT/SAT test scores optional; can be submitted for scholarship/placement purposes if available

Freshman Criteria (for non-adult freshmen and transfers with less than 24 transferrable hours)

  • Category I:
    • 21 or higher ACT composite (or the SAT equivalent: SAT-980 or 1060**)
    • A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on 4.0 scale)

**Per 2016 SAT redesign.

  • Category II:
    • Have an admissions index score (see here) that equals or exceeds 100 points
    • A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Category III:
    • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted) or above (on a 4.0 scale)
    • Students who have completed the GED or HiSET are eligible with a minimum score of 660 on the GED or a minimum score of 75 on the HiSET
    • This category is not an option for home-schooled or unaccredited high school graduates unless they have also completed the GED or HiSET

Home-Schooled Students

Applicants must have their ACT or SAT results submitted directly from ACT or College Board. A transcript listing of high school courses and grades in each course is also required for admission.

  • 21 or higher on the ACT (or SAT equivalent), OR
  • GED score of 660 or higher, OR
  • HiSET score of 75 or higher

GED Applicants/HiSET Applicants

A student may be considered for admission after receiving an equivalency certification, meeting the following criteria:

  • GED score of 660 or higher, OR
  • HiSET score of 75 or higher

For those students not meeting these requirements, the University will consider each application on an individual basis and will use professional judgment in admitting students that demonstrate academic promise and potential for success. Additional information, such as letters of recommendation, a personal statement, or response to holistic admission questions may be requested. Conditions may be placed on the enrollment of such students, if accepted into the University.

Official transcripts can be emailed to [email protected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:

Office of Admissions
Northwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001

Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.

Click here for State Authorization information.


Admission Requirements:

  • GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended

Courses

Build workforce-ready skills through your online B.S. in Public Administration coursework

For the B.S. in Public Administration online, the curriculum is comprised of 120 credit hours, including: 44-47 credit hours of Northwest Core (general education), 4 credit hours of Institutional Requirements, 12 credit hours of Political Science Foundations coursework, 12 credit hours of Public Administration Foundations coursework, 15 credit hours of electives, and as many credit hours needed to complete a minor and general electives needed to fulfill the 120-credit-hour degree requirement.

Expand All

Students must take 44-47 credit hours of general education courses to meet the degree plan requirements.

Students are required to take a University Seminar (1 credit hour) and a digital literacy course, usually Computers and Information Technology (3 credit hours). Below is the information for each course.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
University Seminar is designed to help students transition to college life and achieve success. Topics of exploration will include the privileges, rights, and responsibilities associated with a university education, skills necessary for success, assuming responsibility for one's own university experience, and available resources.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Introduction to computer systems. Topics include integrated office applications, hardware, software, Internet, and the rights and responsibilities of computer users.

POLS 34102 and MATH 17114: These courses fulfill a Northwest Core requirement as well as a requirement of the major, but the number of credit hours may be counted only once toward the total number of credit hours required for graduation.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Basic concepts of decision making, central values, variability, probability and statistical inference, elementary concepts of correlation, parametric tests of significance, and regression analysis. Will satisfy The Northwest Core requirement in mathematics. Proficiency examination is available. Prerequisite: An ACT Math score of 22 or higher, high school GPA of 3.00 or higher, or a minimum grade of C in MATH 17082, or concurrent enrollment in MATH 17014.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Attention is directed toward the fundamental principles, institutions, and problems of American Constitutional Government-national, state, and local. Particular stress is given to the Missouri Constitution, as well as to national Constitutional growth.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an introduction to the study of political science. Students will discover how to study politics in a scientific way. Students will learn how to use various quantitative and qualitative research methods to answer questions about politics.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course serves as a capstone experience for majors in political science, allowing students to demonstrate proficiency in political methods, theories, and sub-disciplines through an exploration of seminar topic(s) and individual research. The political content of this course will vary when offered. Repeatable for new experiences up to six credit hours.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The application of principles and concepts of the behavioral sciences and total quality management to the interpersonal relationships found within modern organizations. As quality management practices replace authoritarian structures with more democratic processes, a need to stress continuous improvement, self-regulation of work content and structure within a job, self-evaluation of performance, self-adjustment in response to work system variability, and participation in the setting of job goals or objectives are seen as the key to effective managerial behavior.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify and discuss the elements of human behavior in groups/organizations and management of human resources
  • Identify and apply skills in problem identification, diagnosis, decision-making, and implementation in human problem situations
  • Investigate the frameworks for the analysis of human performance in organizations, to include discussion, analysis, and application of:
    • Individual behavior and motivation
    • Interpersonal interaction and communication
    • Group processes, teamwork, and leadership
    • Organizational processes and structures
    • Management practices to improve human performance and productivity
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A course in American policy-making processes and problems of policy development at the national level. The focus is on the analysis of current public policies and their consequences.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of decision-making processes in public organizations.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An emphasis on public policy in terms of personnel and budget administration. This course is divided into two distinct but complimentary parts. The first part of the course will focus on personnel administration in the public sector, while the second part of the course will focus on government budgeting. Case studies and exercises will be used in both parts of the course in order to gain an understanding of the key principles, concepts and methods associated with both of these areas of government.

POLS 34495 Internship in Political Science is limited to six hours in Political Science Electives.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the spoken communication process in business and organizational settings and the major concepts which influence organizational communication. Attention is directed toward the organizational elements, the communication system and improving organizational communication.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an understanding of the emergency management planning process within government organizations, businesses, and non-profits. This course will take students through the steps required and address the best practices currently being utilized in the field.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will examine, compare and contrast the development, organization and function of both political parties and interest groups in American politics within the context of elections at all levels of government.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will encompass the political, legal, organizational and policy-making aspects of the American presidency.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will examine the political and institutional development of Congress. The study will span both the formal legal powers and the internal dynamics of this major national policy-making institution.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is an investigation and analysis of the American federal system, including its constitutional, political, and administrative characteristics. An integral portion of the course is a study of the subnational governments - state and local - that help to comprise the federal system.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the American legal system, its functions, constituting elements, and role in our democratic system.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines a substantive area of public policy. Students will have the opportunity to apply theories relating to the policy process. A focus on current political issues as related to policy development coupled with the ability to analyze past and future policy options will be emphasized. Topics will vary each semester the course is offered.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1-6
A supervised internship in an approved governmental agency or private sector business - will include a formal evaluation and written reports by the student. Credit hours will vary according to the nature and duration of the internship.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Work and organizations tend to dominate day-to-day life. This course applies theories and research from psychology to help students understand policies, procedures, and events in those settings. That understanding will also help students navigate college and think about future career goals.

Learning Outcomes:

Explain how knowledge from I/O Psychology can be applied to help managers and supervisors, including:

  • Managing organizations through leadership and strategic planning
  • Supervision and human resource management
  • Managing professional development of staff
  • Recruiting and managing volunteers
  • Use feedback to increase knowledge and improve exam scores
  • Demonstrate the ability to assimilate, retain, and interpret information (Critical Thinking outcome in Northwest Competencies)
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the field of management designed to give a basic understanding of the principles, concepts, and functions of management within that social system called the information era. Successful management is dependent on fostering responsible and autonomous behavior, as authoritarian structures are being replaced by democratic processes evolving within modern organizations. Thus, successful management is studied as the processes and behavior of participative management.

Students must complete a minor for this program.  Please note, not all minors are available online.  Students must also complete general education free electives as needed to reach a minimum 120 graduation hours.

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Highly Qualified Faculty

100% of classes are taught by professionals, not graduate assistants

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