Bachelor of Science in Public Administration
An Associate Degree in Social or Human Services from an Accredited Institution plus Approximately 60 Credit Hours
The public administration degree provides an excellent education for human service personnel who want to move up. It combines the knowledge gained in a human services program with the administrative skills and perspective needed for career advancement. The combination can elevate candidates for promotion above individuals who have a more limited preparation in human services alone.
Beyond that, this degree program gives graduates considerable flexibility in career planning, and offers many opportunities for later career change without additional education. The public administration degree opens up a world of possibilities beyond the boundaries of your associate degree subject. In a field like human services, where rapid burnout is frankly common, a degree that allows you to prosper both within human service organizations, and later in other, completely unrelated organizations, offers great value.
The public administration curriculum is comprehensive, covering public sector institutions, the central functional areas of modern administration, and a range of valuable and relevant analytical skills. It is designed to produce managers with an understanding of modern organizations, a sensitivity to political realities, a grasp of management methods, and a knowledge of the analytical tools needed to illuminate substantive issues. See the checksheet for a list of the course and degree requirements.
Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in social or human services can add this administrative component, and gain a second bachelor’s degree in public administration, with just 30 credit hours of additional coursework. See the Postbaccalaureate page for details.
Examples of Positions for which Graduates Might Qualify:
Human Services Case Work Supervisor
Field Examiner
Auditor
Program Coordinator for Older Adult Programs
Long-Term Care Administrator
Rehabilitation Program Director
Substance Use Treatment Administrator
Halfway House Director
Residential Facility Administrator
Group Home Director
Equal Opportunity Administrator
Human Resource Administrator
Public Affairs Officer
Disabilities Determination Services Administrator
Medicaid/Medicare Program Administrator
Aspire Administrator
Human Services Program Manager
Municipal Benefits Director
General Government Positions
Town Manager
Assistant City Manager or City Manager
County Administrator
Municipal or State Budget/Finance Officer
Municipal or State Treasurer
Commissioner of Public Safety
Executive Administrative Assistant
Auditor
Program Review Officer
School Finance and Administration Officer
Officials in not-for-profit organizations
Court Administrator
University Administrative Services Director
Member of Legislative Staff
Equal Opportunity Administrator
Human Resource Administrator
Public Affairs Officer
Officials in a District Attorney’s Office who do not require a law degree
Analyst for Legislative Committee
Manager in a Regulatory Agency
Maine Assistant Secretary of State
Local Airport Manager
For additional information, contact:
David Leach, Program Coordinator
david.leach@maine.edu
Ms. Terry Lawson
207.621.3288