Public Administration

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Public Administration program is designed to meet the needs of employees of government and non-profit agencies and those desiring employment or advancement within these agencies. The program covers the history, present, and future of public administration. Courses include topics on public policy, finance, human resources, organizational behavior, and government.

Details

Offered At

Rio Salado

Field of Interest

Business, Entrepreneurialism, and Management

Degree Type

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Academic Plan

Public Administration (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

3692

Total credits required

62-70

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Effective Term

Fall 2023

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

Apply current technology to specific business tasks.
Explain how public policy is developed and implemented.
Compare and contrast careers in public service.
Explain organizational behavior in the public sector.
Explain the policies, rules, regulations, and ethics of public finance.
Explain the laws, procedures, and practices of human resources in the public sector.
Apply knowledge of the United States political history, process and practices to inform professional decision-making in the public sector.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with diverse audiences.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

$64,310 Show expanded career information for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

$59,190 Show expanded career information for First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

$40,150 Show expanded career information for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Social and Community Service Managers

$69,700 Show expanded career information for Social and Community Service Managers

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:

Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
CIS114DE	Excel Spreadsheet				3
PAD100	21st Century Public Policy and Service		Critical course Gateway course		3
PAD170	Public Sector Organizational Behavior				3
RE	Restricted Elective				3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Strategies for College Success				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
MA	Mathematics		Any approved general education course from the Mathematics area. 3-6 Recommended for transfer to a bachelor’s program: + MAT140 College Mathematics (5) OR + MAT141 College Mathematics (4) OR + MAT142 College Mathematics (3) OR MAT145 College Mathematics with Review (5) OR MAT146 College Mathematics with Review (6) OR Higher level course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area (3-6) 3-6		3–6
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
PAD107	Public Finance Administration	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CIS114DE.			3
PAD122	Public Sector Human Resources Management	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CIS114DE.			3
POS110	American National Government			SB	3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Area	Credits
RE	Restricted Elective		3
COM100 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Small Group Communication	SB or SB	3
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative	SG or SQ	4
SB	Social & Behavioral Sciences	SB	3
RE	Restricted Elective		3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Area	Credits
RE	Restricted Elective		3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design	HU	3
RE	Restricted Elective		3
RE	Restricted Elective		3
RE	Restricted Elective		3

Restricted Electives

Students must choose twenty-one (21) industry/job specific elective credits from the list of Restricted Electives below and have them approved by the Department Chair. A student may choose no more than nine (9) credits within a discipline

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
ACC111	Accounting Principles I			3
ACC112 or ACC230	Accounting Principles II or Uses of Accounting Information I	Prerequisites: ACC111 with a grade of "C" or better, or permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ACC111 or ACC211) or [(ENG101 or ENG107) and MAT151 and CRE101] or (appropriate District English, Reading, and Math placement).		3
ACC212 or ACC240	Managerial Accounting or Uses of Accounting Information II	Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in (ACC111 and ACC112), or ACC211, and (CIS105 or permission of Department or Division). or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ACC230.		3
ECN211	Macroeconomic Principles		SB	3
ECN212	Microeconomic Principles		SB	3
GBS151	Introduction to Business			3
GBS205	Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in Business			3
GBS233	Business Communication	Prerequisites: ENG101 or ENG107 with grade of "C" or better, or permission of Department or Division.	L	3
MGT175	Business Organization and Management			3
MGT229	Management and Leadership I		SB	3
POS221	Arizona Constitution			1
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology		SB	3
SOC101	Introduction to Sociology		SB	3
SOC212	Gender and Society		C, SB	3
CIS+++++	Any CIS Computer Information Systems course(s)			1–9
HCC+++++	Any HCC Health Core Curriculum course(s)			1–9
HCR+++++	Any HCR Health Care Related course(s)			1–9
LET+++++	Any LET Law Enforcement Technology course(s)			1–9
PAD+++++	Any PAD Public Administration course(s)			1–9

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C or better in ENG091 or ESL097or WAC101) or (B or better in ALT100) or (ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).		FYC or FYC	3
PAD100	21st Century Public Policy and Service		Critical course Gateway course		3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CIS114DE	Excel Spreadsheet				3
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
PAD107	Public Finance Administration	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CIS114DE.			3
PAD122	Public Sector Human Resources Management	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CIS114DE.			3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
MA	Mathematics		Any approved general education course from the Mathematics area. 3-6 Recommended for transfer to a bachelor’s program: + MAT140 College Mathematics (5) OR + MAT141 College Mathematics (4) OR + MAT142 College Mathematics (3) OR MAT145 College Mathematics with Review (5) OR MAT146 College Mathematics with Review (6) OR Higher level course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area (3-6) 3-6		3–6
PAD170	Public Sector Organizational Behavior				3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
POS110	American National Government			SB	3
COM100 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Small Group Communication			SB or SB	3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
SB	Social & Behavioral Sciences			SB	3
RE	Restricted Elective				3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
RE	Restricted Elective				3
RE	Restricted Elective				3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design			HU	3
RE	Restricted Elective				3

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
RE	Restricted Elective				3
RE	Restricted Elective				3

Term 10

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 10
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative			SG or SQ	4
RE	Restricted Elective				3

Restricted Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
ACC111	Accounting Principles I			3
ACC112 or ACC230	Accounting Principles II or Uses of Accounting Information I	Prerequisites: ACC111 with a grade of "C" or better, or permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ACC111 or ACC211) or [(ENG101 or ENG107) and MAT151 and CRE101] or (appropriate District English, Reading, and Math placement).		3
ACC212 or ACC240	Managerial Accounting or Uses of Accounting Information II	Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in (ACC111 and ACC112), or ACC211, and (CIS105 or permission of Department or Division). or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ACC230.		3
ECN211	Macroeconomic Principles		SB	3
ECN212	Microeconomic Principles		SB	3
GBS151	Introduction to Business			3
GBS205	Legal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues in Business			3
GBS233	Business Communication	Prerequisites: ENG101 or ENG107 with grade of "C" or better, or permission of Department or Division.	L	3
MGT175	Business Organization and Management			3
MGT229	Management and Leadership I		SB	3
POS221	Arizona Constitution			1
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology		SB	3
SOC101	Introduction to Sociology		SB	3
SOC212	Gender and Society		C, SB	3
CIS+++++	Any CIS Computer Information Systems course(s)			1–9
HCC+++++	Any HCC Health Core Curriculum course(s)			1–9
HCR+++++	Any HCR Health Care Related course(s)			1–9
LET+++++	Any LET Law Enforcement Technology course(s)			1–9
PAD+++++	Any PAD Public Administration course(s)			1–9

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

C = Cultural Diversity in the US
FYC = First Year Composition
HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry

SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=175942).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.