Public Administration Major Resources

The major in Public Administration prepares students for management and leadership roles in public agencies. The major empowers students to analyze, understand, and solve problems using the tools of public administration. The major is grounded in our commitment to a broad definition of justice, including equity, diversity, inclusion, ethics, effectiveness, and accountability.

Here you will find:

  • Key information about your major
  • How and when to meet with your major advisor
  • Planning tools that will help you track your progress in the major
  • Ways to explore career opportunities related to the Public Administration major

Take a few moments to look at the information below. It will help you plan effectively and avoid surprises during your studies at John Jay. Please visit the Department of Public Management website for information, resources, and opportunities!

PAD Requirements

You are responsible for the major requirements that were in effect when you declared the major. To confirm the requirements you should be following, go to the Undergraduate Bulletin for that academic year. For example, if you declared the Public Administration major in Fall 2015 or Spring 2016, you would click on the 2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin. If you declared the major and then left the College for more than one full semester, you’re responsible for the major requirements in effect when you return, if they have changed. Not sure when you declared the major? Find out here.

 

Below, find the Undergraduate Bulletin that was in effect when you declared the major.

No PAD major courses can be used to fulfill your General Education Requirements. Refer to the General Education Requirements for more information on meeting these requirements.

Major Advising

Public Administration Major Advisor:

Yvonne Purdie

Department of Public Management, 533.44 Haaren Hall

ypurdie@jjay.cuny.edu

212 237-8554

 

Most PAD major advising is being done remotely in the Spring 2024 semester. You may email Yvonne Purdie using your John Jay email address at ypurdie@jjay.cuny.edu with questions or to set up a Zoom Appointment. Please include your Empl ID number. In-person advising can be done by special arrangement. Yvonne Purdie will not be available by phone. Major advising hours are Monday-Thursday, 9-5. Other days and times by special arrangement. Note: Incoming transfer students should first meet with a general academic advisor after their credits are evaluated. Then if they have major questions or issues, they can reach out to Professor Purdie.

Sophomores with 45-59 credits may have a hold on their registration. The hold will be removed when they have a major advising appointment with Yvonne Purdie (ypurdie@jjay.cuny.edu). This discussion will encourage wise planning and allow students to ask any questions they may have about the major.

How do you know if you have a major hold? Go to CUNYfirst and complete the following steps:

  1. Check the Holds box of your CUNYfirst Student Center. If "Advisement Required" appears, click on “details.”
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  1. Click on “Advisement Required.”
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  1. See which type of advisement you need. If you must see a major advisor, then make a major advising appointment following the steps preferred by this department.
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Plan Ahead: Graduate on Time

To stay on track in the PAD major, keep the following guidelines in mind:

 

  • Take PAD 101 as early as possible, since it’s the prerequisite for most major courses. CUNYfirst will sometimes show PAD 240 as a prerequisite to upper level PAD courses, but that course number was later changed to PAD 140 and then PAD 101.

 

  • Look ahead in the major to be aware of any additional prerequisites for upper level courses.

 

  • As of fall 2017, the PAD major requires STA 250, which has a MAT 108 or MAT 141 prerequisite. Complete your math foundation early.

 

  • The PAD major requires either a Seminar and Internship in Public Administration (PAD 402) or a Practicum in Public Administration (PAD 404) during your Senior year. Be sure to consult with the PAD major advisor well before then so s/he can answer any questions you have about either of these options.

 

  • Remember that you will need at least a 2.0 GPA in the major and at least a 2.0 overall GPA to graduate.
  • DegreeWorks degree audit - Use this online planning tool to track your overall progress toward graduation. You will see which of your general education and major requirements are completed, in progress, or still needed.  Refer to the DegreeWorks FAQs to better understand how to use this helpful tool.

 

  • PAD Major Checklist - Fill out this printable worksheet to keep track of which major requirements you have completed and which ones you still need.

 

  • Sample Four Year Plan - See an example of how you could complete all your degree requirements (major, general education, electives) and graduate in four years! Remember that this sample plan shows just one possible way to combine your requirements. Transfer students in particular should work with advisors to determine a plan that works best for them.

A General Academic Advisor will confirm what general academic requirements you still need, make suggestions about smart course planning that will help you graduate without delays, discuss your interest in adding a minor or second major, inform you about opportunities such as study abroad, discuss general questions and concerns, and make helpful referrals. Visit the Academic Advisement Center's webpage for more information.

PAD and Careers

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See our master’s degree page for information about master’s programs offered at John Jay. If you are interested in pursuing a Master of Public Administration (MPA), see our overview of public administration programs.

The Center for Career and Professional Development is a great resource for all questions related to job searches, internships, and career preparation. CCPD staff are available to meet individually with students and alumni in L72.00 New Building. To request a 45-minute counseling appointment, log on to John Jay Careers Online. 15-minute drop-in sessions are available all day Mon-Fri. (Stop by in person earlier the same day to schedule a drop-in session.)

 

Public Administration allows you to work in various governmental, civil service, non-profit, and private sectors agencies. Listen to Professor Elisabeth Nisbet talk about how this major helps you develop leadership skills for management in public agencies and non-profits as you explore public administration and public policy problems and issues. Below are just a few examples of the places you may work after gaining an education from the Department of Public Administration:

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