The Public Administration BAAS program is designed for working professionals with experience in the public sector who are interested in advancing their careers and obtain supervisory and leadership positions within their organizations.
This bachelor’s completion degree awards students with 12 to 33 academic credits for previous professional training in the field, such as fire service, law enforcement, military training and government services. It prepares you for career changes, job promotions, and graduate school. Tarleton offers a master’s degree in public administration, and students can take 6 hours of graduate coursework and apply those courses toward their MPA. Students desiring to continue learning will have a head start in this graduate program.
The program emphasizes learning that is grounded in real-world experiences, and connects key components of leadership and administration such as organizational behavior, public policy, public budgeting, legal issues and conflict resolution. We deliver high quality education that is optimized for working professionals and is aimed to prepare students to lead, influence and manage in a diversified work environment.
Courses
Public administration focuses on leadership development that improves communities. Students who earn a degree in public administration will be prepared to use their knowledge and skills in a wide variety of areas such as finance, management, politics, policy, planning, human resources, public safety.
MPA Fast Track Option. The Fast Track offers an accelerated pathway to get your master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA). It allows qualified senior undergraduate students to take up to 6 semester credit of approved graduate level
Learning Outcomes
Expand the students’ knowledge of public administration
Prepare students to use their knowledge and skills in a wide variety of public sector professions
Provide students with the skills and knowledge require to successfully navigate the competitive process to advance within career opportunities.
Deliver high quality education that prepares students to lead, influence and manage in a diversified work environment.
Career Outcomes
Variety of public, nonprofit, and non-governmental organizations delivering goods and services at the federal, state, and local levels
City and County Managers/Assistant City and County Managers
Finance Directors
Accounts Receivable
Emergency Management
Firefighting, policing, probation
Public Works, Museums, Libraries, Transportation
Public Health, Agriculture, Public Education Administration
Admissions Requirements
To qualify for the BAAS degree, you must work or have worked for a public, government, nonprofit or military agency or other agencies related to public administration.
Eligibility for credits is based on documented training hours verified by an official licensing authority such as TCOLE, State Fire Training, US Military training or other documented training related to public service (work experience or years of service cannot be used to receive credit).
Full 33 Credits: Requires 496 documented training hours.
Partial Credit (12 to 32 Credits): Requires a minimum of 180 documented training hours.
Firefighter Tuition and Fee Waiver Information: Firefighters employed or volunteer with a political subdivision of the State of Texas qualify for a tuition waiver for all courses as outlined by Texas Education Code 54.353. This tuition waiver applies to any firefighter who meets the program requirements for a volunteer firefighter or works for a fire department, public safety agency, or other emergency response organizations and does so within a political subdivision in the state of Texas. To read this legislation, please visit the link: College For All Texans: Firefighters Enrolled in Fire Science Courses. Apply for the Firefighter exemption here: https://tarleton.studentforms.com
Credit for Prior Learning
Workforce Hours: Workforce courses in the fields of Fire Fighting, Public administration, emergency management, security and criminal justice, or other related workforce credit hours taught at a community college
Certifications: Training and certifications Law Enforcement related training records including all aspects of LE service training and academies/SWAT etc.. Any Federal related training in the students career field. State Employee training tied to work within a state agency is accepted. Local government training tied to current or past career work. Such areas as water department, public works, city management etc. Non profit organization training, or other related management or technical practices
Military Service: Your military experience and training documented on your joint services transcript (JST) in MOS, Fire Department related training records including all aspects of fire service training and academies/EMT paramedic school.
Flexible Learning Options: We offer online and hybrid formats on our Stephenville, Waco and Ft Worth campuses to accommodate your busy schedule.
Reduced Time to Completion: By leveraging your existing knowledge and skills, you will be able to complete your degree faster and at a lower cost.
Experienced Faculty: Our instructors are industry professionals who understand the value of real-world experience and can help you connect your learning to your career goals.
Scholarships: Discover our Career Enrichment Scholarship for a steady, affordable education. The Fixed-Price Degree Scholarship keeps costs constant, covering the difference to ensure your cost will be, at most, $200 per credit hour for five years after you start your degree. Secure your education with confidence.
