Public Administration Major
Become a leader in your community!
University of Northern Iowa’s public administration major creates leaders who serve communities to advance the common good and effect positive change. Graduates are equipped with the skills necessary to lead and manage in all levels of government (local, state and federal) as well as in nonprofit organizations and the private sector.
#1 in Iowa
UNI offers the only undergraduate public administration major in the state.
Prepare for Grad School
Graduates are regularly accepted into top-ten Masters in Public Administration programs.
Renowned Faculty
Profs are frequently called upon by local and national media for their expertise in public affairs.
Want to know more?
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Contact us directly at:
School of Public Affairs & Service
335 Sabin Hall
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0404
319-273-2039
Email: scott.peters@uni.edu
This major is offered as part of UNI’s Three-Year Pathway initiative, giving motivated students the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree in just three years by following a structured plan of study. This option is ideal for students who enter UNI with prior college credit (through AP classes and dual enrollment), as well as high-achieving students who are ready for an accelerated academic pace. Students must meet program eligibility requirements, including appropriate placement scores for some majors, and may transition to a traditional four-year pathway at any time. For more information, contact our department at scott.peters@uni.edu.
Why Public Administration?
Find your path.
Students enjoy a wide array of courses, taught on a variety of topics, including:
- Current & Emerging Issues in Public Administration
- Leadership & Management in Public Service
- Politics & Public Policy
- Analyzing Politics
- Public Budgeting
- Campaigns and Elections
- Community Politics
Grow your future.
UNI’s public administration majors are prepared for nearly any workplace, including private industry, the nonprofit sector and local, state and national government.
Recent graduates have gone on to work as policy analysts, nonprofit managers, city managers, government relations specialists and in human resource management, law enforcement, urban planning and intelligence. Grads are also regularly accepted into top-ten Masters in Public Administration programs.
Go beyond.
Learn hands-on through class simulations, guest speakers, internships and activities that apply to the real challenges public organizations face daily.
Find your path.
Students enjoy a wide array of courses, taught on a variety of topics, including:
- Current & Emerging Issues in Public Administration
- Leadership & Management in Public Service
- Politics & Public Policy
- Analyzing Politics
- Public Budgeting
- Campaigns and Elections
- Community Politics
Grow your future.
UNI’s public administration majors are prepared for nearly any workplace, including private industry, the nonprofit sector and local, state and national government.
Recent graduates have gone on to work as policy analysts, nonprofit managers, city managers, government relations specialists and in human resource management, law enforcement, urban planning and intelligence. Grads are also regularly accepted into top-ten Masters in Public Administration programs.
Go beyond.
Learn hands-on through class simulations, guest speakers, internships and activities that apply to the real challenges public organizations face daily.
Not your average professor
"Get involved with the many opportunities we have in the Dept of Political Science. From Model UN to conferences on nukes at Strategic Command or conferences on human rights at Iowa Law School to all sorts of travel and study abroad opportunities—if you can’t find something to dig in Political Science, you best check for a pulse."
–Evan (Doc) Renfro, Assistant Professor of Political Science
Panther POV
"My major in public administration prepared me for working as a public servant. Several of the classes focused on how to manage an organization that had to respond to the public and work on community needs. I had a variety of classes that touched on important areas like planning, finance and administration. My major offered a variety of courses, so I was able to choose ones that I was interested in that would help me determine my future in local government."
–Dylan Mulfinger, 2012
City Administrator, Oelwein, Iowa
Panther POV
"My major prepared me for my current role by covering how local government operates as well as the role block grants play in community development. My major also prepared me by exposing me to the influence political leaders have on the public planning process and how block grant monies are regulated."
–Marcy Weinzetl, 2017
Community Planner