Public Administration

Return to: Schools & Departments

Purpose and Focus

The Department of Public Administration offers undergraduate students an opportunity to pursue baccalaureate degrees in public administration, and public administration with a concentration in fire safety administration. The public administration major is designed to provide individuals with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to move into professional administrative positions in government agencies. Students who complete the B.S. degree in public administration with a concentration in fire safety administration acquire not only the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a public administration major but also meet the National Fire Protection professional qualifications for a Fire Officer III.

Accreditation

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Undergraduate Major

Public Administration

Admission to the Major

Minimum GPA: 2.50

Admission Policies

Public Administration

A grade point average of 2.50 in at least 12 credits of university-level work is required for admission to the major.

Public Administration (Fire Safety Administration)

Sixty-seven credit hours leading to an AAS in Fire Science Management from an accredited community college are required for admission to the fire safety concentration. A grade point average of 2.50 is required for admission.

Departmental Policies

You must be a declared Public Administration major during the completion of the last 30 credits taken in fulfillment of the 124-credit requirement. Maintenance of a minimum UNLV 2.50 GPA is required to remain in and to graduate from the program.

The fire safety administration concentration is designed on a two-plus-two basis: Students take the first two years of course work at an accredited community college and receive an AAS degree in Fire Science management. In addition, students may take another 15 hours of specialized professional fire administration course work through distance education from an approved college representative for the National Fire Academy. Students must then complete remaining degree requirements at UNLV to earn a B.S. in Public Administration with a concentration in Fire Safety Administration.

Courses in Fire Science Management from the AAS degree may apply only toward the fire safety administration concentration.

Advisement

The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs supports a professional advising center to assist students in planning their class schedules and preparing appropriate forms. It provides guidance in meeting all required steps toward graduation. All new students to the program will meet with an academic advisor in the Student Advising Center. Students should plan to meet with an advisor each semester. Appointments can easily be scheduled to allow for quality time in planning for academic success. When students are admitted into their majors at the junior level, faculty mentors are available to help them make important career decisions.

The Advising Center can be reached at 702-895-1009 or urbanaffairs@unlv.nevada.edu or may be visited in person in CDC 11.

Return to: Schools & Departments