Skip to Main Content
About Admissions Academics Library Athletics Giving

Department: Public Administration

Chairperson: Wallace Ford II

718 270 5067

718 270-5181 fax

Email: wford@mec.cuny.edu

Office: B-2032-F

Faculty: Zulema Blair, Wallace Ford, Gregorio Mayers

General Information

The mission of the Department of Public Administration is to prepare students to be highly trained and well-informed leaders, executives, and managers in the public and private sectors

In a rapidly changing society, students receive in-depth training in different areas of concentration that allow them to be creative thinkers, agents of change, and problem-solvers to function more effectively in the government, non-profit, and corporate arenas. The Department is committed to conducting a current, relevant, and exciting course of study that trains students to:

  1. Understand how public policy is developed and executed:

  2. Develop structures that respond to managerial, political, legal, and ethical concerns;

  3. Successfully fill high-quality professional management careers in the public sector, nonprofit sector, and governmental/ community affairs units in private organizations both domestically and abroad;

  4. Prepare students for a range of graduate and professional studies.

The Department is one of less than 100 academic programs in the country offering an undergraduate degree in Public Administration. The Department offers a Bachelor of Science degree, an Associate of Science degree, and a minor. Concentrations in the Bachelor of Science Program include:

  1. Public Policy - Students in the Public Policy concentration are trained to analyze, develop, and implement public policies that address political, economic, and social needs.

  2. Public Sector Management - This concentration prepares students for senior managerial and leadership roles in government agencies at each level of government.

  3. Non-Profit Administration - This concentration prepares students for managerial and leadership roles in this ever-expanding sector.

  4. Urban Administration - This concentration is essential for students considering careers in community development, local government, and urban planning.

  5. International Administration - Designed for students seeking careers in foreign policy, the Foreign Service, international organizations, or multinational enterprises, this concentration is an ideal opportunity for individuals transitioning from domestic employment to international employment.

  6. Law and Criminal Justice - This concentration prepares students to become successful applicants to law school and to reach beyond the current intellectual and cultural views of the criminal justice system in the United States and abroad.

  7. General - Students may complete courses in different areas of concentration to develop a “generalist” perspective in public administration.

Students undertake specified coursework in the College Core, Department Core, and concentration. The Public Administration core curriculum is an outgrowth of micro and macro-economic theory, political science, administrative law, and management. All students are required to complete Internships as well as a Capstone Seminar in their senior year. Students receive great peer/faculty support via our Public Administration student club MECSPA, Faculty Mentorship Program, and Law Pathways Program.

Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree in Public Administration The Associate of Science (AS) degree in Public Administration introduces students to fundamental concepts and philosophies in public administration and liberal arts and prepares students for pre-managerial entry-level positions as well as continuing studies for the B.S. degree in Public Administration. The A.S. Degree in Public Administration requires the completion of 60 credits pursuant to the following criteria and academic guidelines:

Program Learning Outcomes

Public Administration, B.S. – Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyze Public Policy - Students will be able to understand, evaluate, and explain how public policy is developed, implemented, and evolves across local, domestic, and international contexts.

  2. Apply Managerial and Organizational Knowledge - Students will be able to develop and implement structures and initiatives that address managerial, political, legal, and ethical challenges in public and nonprofit organizations.

  3. Demonstrate Career-Readiness in Public Administration - Students will be able to apply knowledge and skills to pursue professional management careers in public, nonprofit, and governmental sectors.

  4. Prepare for Graduate and Professional Studies - Students will be able to demonstrate foundational knowledge and competencies that support success in graduate or professional programs in public administration or related fields.

Criminal Justice, A.S. – Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain the Structure and Functions of the Criminal Justice System Students will be able to describe the roles, processes, and interrelationships of the major components of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections, at the local, state, and introductory global levels.

  2. Apply Foundational Legal, Ethical, and Policy Concepts Students will be able to apply basic principles of criminal law, public policy, and ethics to analyze issues related to justice, fairness, public safety, and community impact.

  3. Demonstrate Professional and Applied Skills in Criminal Justice Contexts Students will be able to demonstrate essential workplace competencies—including communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and digital literacy—through coursework and experiential learning such as internships or case-based applications.

  4. Prepare for Transfer and Career Pathways in Public Service Students will be able to demonstrate the foundational knowledge, academic skills, and applied experiences necessary for successful transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in public administration, criminal justice, or related public service fields.

Public Administration, A.S. – Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain Foundations of Public Administration and Policy Students will be able to describe the basic principles, structures, and functions of public administration and explain how public policies are developed and implemented at the local, state, and introductory global levels.

  2. Apply Foundational Management and Organizational Skills Students will be able to apply introductory management, organizational, and administrative skills to address basic challenges in public and nonprofit settings, including consideration of ethical and legal responsibilities.

  3. Demonstrate Professional and Technical Readiness Students will be able to demonstrate essential workplace competencies—including communication, teamwork, digital literacy, and professional behavior—through coursework and experiential learning such as internships.

  4. Prepare for Transfer and Continued Study in Public Administration Students will be able to demonstrate the foundational knowledge, academic skills, and applied experiences necessary for successful transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in public administration or a related field.

Academic Standards

Students in the Department are expected to pass Public Administration required Core courses with a grade of “C” or better. For graduation, a student must have a minimum index of 2.0 in his/ her major.