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California State University, Chico
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Public Administration BA

Three smiling students collaboratively working together.
  • Program Type

    Undergraduate Major

  • Delivery Type

    On Campus

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Our public administration program looks at all the ways government works to serve people—covering public safety, healthcare, environmental stewardship, urban planning, and critical infrastructure.

As a student in this major, you’ll learn how our public institutions have evolved over time to meet our needs and discuss new and ongoing challenges to accessing services. This highly engaged program helps you build the knowledge, experience, and professional skills that set our graduates up for long, successful careers in public service, working for local, state, and federal government agencies.

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Service-Learning Mindset

Our immersive program covers everything from public and healthcare policy to grant writing and fundraising. We blend knowledge building with internships in local government agencies and nonprofit organizations, as well as community engagement opportunities and collaborative projects.

Meaningful Career Prospects

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Our program has the highest on-time graduations rate of any on campus. Graduates go on to successful careers at the local (city and county), state, and federal levels, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in preparing students for public service and leadership roles.

Some organizations where our grads work include:

  • Butte County Behavioral Health

  • City of Lincoln

  • Monterey County Sheriff's Department

  • Google, Inc.

“
A public administration degree is essential for career advancement in law enforcement. The major is the main reason I came to Chico State.
Reis Avila (Public Administration, ’24)

A Trademark Culture of Belonging

The public administration program prepares you with many of the skills needed to be a leader outside the classroom.

  • A student standing at a podium in front of a collection of donated food items.

    Community Action

    Get involved in community-based research projects through the Center for Healthy Communities. The award-winning on-campus organization runs housing programs, promotes food security, nutrition education, physical activity, and food safety.

  • two students standing at a table at the study abroad fair

    Nationally Ranked Study Abroad Program

    Our robust study abroad program offers a wealth of opportunities to develop an invaluable global perspective on public service and to learn from cultures across the globe.