Skip to main content

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University
Advanced search
Information For...
  • Current Students
  • Parents & Family
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
Quick Links
  • COVID-19
  • Give
  • Maps
  • Employment
  • Library
  • AppalNet
  • AsULearn
  • A-Z
Main Menu
  • Why Choose App?
  • Visit
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Campus Life
  • About
  • Home
  • Academics
  • Undergraduate Programs

Political Science (BS) - Public Administration

About

Approximately one-third of all North Carolina city and county managers are alumni of Appalachian State University’s public administration program. In the Political Science (BS) - Public Administration degree, you will develop an understanding of local and state government administration.

Students are required to complete one of two tracks: public management, or town, city and county management. The first track is for students who wish to pursue an administration career in the political system, bureaucracy or public organizations. The second is for students who wish to learn more about administration within local governments.

Students are encouraged to participate in local politics, and many pursue internships in local government or in Raleigh with North Carolina’s state legislature or other state agencies.

After Graduation

Employment: Students find jobs in city and county management. Approximately one-third of all North Carolina city and county managers are alumni of this program. 

Graduate school: Most students continue their education through Appalachian State University’s Masters of Public Administration program.

Career Exploration website

People

  • Alumna Profile: Sarah Harris ’14 ’15
    Alumna Profile: Sarah Harris ’14 ’15

    Sarah Harris chose to remain at Appalachian to earn her Master of Public Administration degree through Appalachian’s accelerated admissions process.

  • Alumnus Profile: Lane Bailey ’87 ’89
    Alumnus Profile: Lane Bailey ’87 ’89

    Salisbury City Manager Lane Bailey ’87 ’89 says he gets up each day to go to work to make his community a better place — whether that’s in North Carolina or across the globe.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    • Public Administration/Public Management Program of Study
    • Public Administration/Town Administrator, City County Management (TACCM) Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide
  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • Political Science (BA)
  • Political Science (BS) - American Politics
  • Political Science (BS) - International and Comparative Politics
  • Political Science (BS) - Pre-Professional Legal Studies

Minors

A minor is not required.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

The Student Planners Association (SPA) and the Appalachian Geographical Society are student-run, university-recognized organizations consisting of students interested in fellowship, outings, fun and learning more about these professional fields.

App State offers the Zeta Tau Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, a national honorary society for U.S. college students majoring in the political and social sciences.

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.

Admission Requirements

There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.

apply

Apply

visit

Visit

connect

Connect

programs

Degrees

Want to learn more?

Register for Info Session
Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

  • Students in the Public Administration track are required to complete an internship. Student are provided assistance in finding internships through the department’s internship director and the department’s extensive and active alumni.
  • Public Administration students are required to take classes in the Department of Geography and Planning, offering an interdisciplinary approach to their education.
  • Students with a 3.4 GPA or higher have the opportunity to participate in Appalachian’s Accelerated Master’s Program.
  • The Department of Government and Justice Studies includes more than 30 tenure-track faculty with Ph.D.s in Political Science, Public Administration and Criminal Justice. This gives students the opportunity to study under professors with an array of expertise. 
  • The department offers a variety of study-away courses that allow students to earn course credits while engaging in real-world politics. Recent study-away destinations include Raleigh, N.C., Washington, D.C., the Iowa caucuses, Cuba and Jordan.
  • Scholarships are available through the department.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

  • City Manager
  • Community Relations Director
  • Congressional Aide
  • Legislative Analyst Lobbyist
  • Public Administrator/Manager
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Social Services Administrator
  • Interest Group Director
  • Urban/Regional Planner

View more career possibilities

Contacts

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Government and Justice Studies

Dr. Cathy Marcum
Department Chair
828-262-3075
marcumcm@appstate.edu

Dr. Heather Ondercin
Political Science Curriculum Coordinator
828-262-6349
ondercinhl@appstate.edu

  • Department of Government and Justice Studies

    Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies offers undergraduate programs in political science and criminal justice, and graduate programs in political science and public administration. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the department has over 600 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate students. Learn more at gjs.appstate.edu

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    Appalachian’s Largest College

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college spanning the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. The college is dedicated to providing instruction and research essential to the university's mission and seeks to cultivate the habits of inquiry, learning and service among all its constituents.

    By the Numbers

    • 1/3 of the degrees awarded at Appalachian
    • More than 70% of general education courses are taught in the college
    • 93 majors offered
    • 53 minors offered
    • 6,411 undergraduate majors
    • More than 460 full-time faculty members
    • 41,203 living alumni
    • $8,754,800 awarded to the college in external grants during the 2020–21 academic year
    • $236,914 awarded to students through 6 collegewide scholarships and 98 departmental scholarships for the 2020–21 academic year

    Graduate Programs

    Accelerated Master’s program opportunities are available in pursuing a master's degree in 12 selected areas: Appalachian Studies, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, English, Geography and Planning, History, Mathematics, Romance Languages (French/Spanish), Political Science, Psychology (Experimental Science) and Public Administration. Other master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

    Top Employment Sectors

    • Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
    • Federal, State and Local Government
    • Justice, Public Order and Safety Activities
    • Computer Systems Design and Related Services
    • Legal Services
    • Health Care
    • Biotech/Engineering
    • Elementary and Secondary Schools
    • Nonprofit Organizations

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

  • App State at Hickory
  • Accessibility
  • Bookstore
  • Contact Us
  • Emergency
  • Employment
  • Equal Opportunity Policy
  • Maps
  • Pay Bills
  • Policy Manual
  • Title IX

Connect

Facebook logo Twitter logo Youtube logo Insatgram logo

Connect with Appalachian's social media accounts from university programs, departments and administrative units..

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University

287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608 | 828-262-2000 | Copyright 2023 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer | Privacy | Website manager: waterworthae (wycoffdn) | Website feedback