Public Administration Degree

The public administration program at Wichita State University prepares students for careers as a budget analyst, city manager, county clerk, legislative support, lobbyist, non-profit manager, policy analyst, and more. The program focuses on serving as management in the executive arm of local, state, and federal government. Program courses include: roles of public administration, the management of public policy, executive-legislative relations, public budgetary processes and financial management, administrative law, professional ethics, and research methods. Get more details below including other Kansas colleges that offer public administration degrees.

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Wichita State University

4004 N Webb Rd. Bldg 100, Wichita, KS

Wichita State University, located in Wichita, Kansas, was founded in 1895 as Fairmont College by Reverend Joseph Homer Parker. The school began by offering a faith based education to locals and those interested in attending a Christian institution. In 1926 the city voted and the school became a non-denominational institution and changed its name to the Municipal University of Wichita. The school operated as a municipal institution until 1964 when became one of the six universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The school is one of three public research universities in the state, and has grown from humble beginning into a large college dedicated to maintaining its partnership with the city of Wichita and the state of Kansas.

Academics

Wichita State University offers a large number of programs and majors for its current and future students. The school believes in the importance of practical experience based learning alongside more traditional classroom based education. The school has maintained a policy of low cost, high quality education. Students are encouraged to explore educational opportunities and utilize WSU's resources to the fullest.

Programs offered include:

• Art History
• Criminal Justice
• Economics
• Finance
• Marketing
• Graphic Design
• Social Work
• Pre-Law

Admissions and Financial Aid

Students interested in enrollment at Wichita State University must fulfill one of the following requirements: Have an ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 980, be in the top third of one's graduating class, or have GPA of 2.0 or higher in required pre-admission courses. GED students must have a minimum of 550 on each test portion, and an overall score higher than 2550. Interested students may complete and submit an application, providing all pertinent documents, including transcripts, for review. Once submitted, the admissions office will look over the application and respond as quickly as possible.

Financial Aid is available in the form of loans, grants, work study programs and scholarships. The school disburses over $100 million a year in aid.  Students in need of financial aid may begin the process by contacting the financial aid office for assistance. Scholarships may require separate applications to be submitted to the bodies responsible for the scholarship, and are awarded for a variety of reasons.

Organizations

Students are encouraged to participate in one or more of the large number of student organizations at Wichita State University. Students who pursue their interests through such organizations will encounter other individuals with similar interests and develop bonds that extend beyond the classroom, and often beyond graduation. Such organizations also offer insight into how groups operate, the process of decision making by committee, and the various actions necessary to realize an event. Student organizations are an important part of the college experience, offering a network of people who may support one another academically and socially.

Some organizations at WSU:

• Engineers Without Borders
• Experimental Anthropology Research Society
• Wichita State University Ceramics Guild
• Wichita Jazz Festival Student Planning Committee
• Students on Film

Recreation

Wichita State University offers a variety of options for students in regards to recreational activities. Some students may be inclined to join intramural sports teams, while others may pursue maintaining their health through exercise, and others may seek to casually compete in a variety of games.

Intramural sports and workout facilities are handled through the Heskett Center, a 160,000 square foot facility. For students interested in more casual pursuits, the Rhatigan Student Center basement houses bowling lanes and billiard tables, as well as a variety of arcade games. WSU understands the importance of recreation among students, and supports them through on campus facilities, and off campus events. Students are encouraged to partake of these resources in order to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy mindset.

Students Enrolled in the Public Administration Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Wichita State University has offered the following program levels for students:

• Master's Degree
• Post-Masters Certificate

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Chief Executives

Description

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, chief executives employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -1.2% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Wichita, KS
  • Total Employment: 940
  • Average Hourly Rate: $73.77
  • Average Annual Salary: $153450

General and Operations Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, general and operations managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.1% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Wichita, KS
  • Total Employment: 3
  • Average Hourly Rate: $48.97
  • Average Annual Salary: $101850

Legislators

Description

Develop, introduce or enact laws and statutes at the local, tribal, State, or Federal level. Includes only workers in elected positions.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, legislators employment is expected to shrink at a rate of -0.7% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Wichita, KS
  • Total Employment: 70
  • Average Annual Salary: $22600

Transportation Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate the transportation operations within an organization or the activities of organizations that provide transportation services.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, transportation managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 2.2% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Wichita, KS
  • Total Employment: 170
  • Average Hourly Rate: $41.87
  • Average Annual Salary: $87090

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).