Bachelor of Public Policy and Administration

Degree Program Hours: 120

The Bachelor of Public Policy and Administration (BPPA) degree is offered for students interested in a public service career upon completion of their undergraduate work and for those who wish to continue in public administration at the graduate level. The BPPA program is offered both in-person and fully online.

Admission Requirements

Students are admitted directly to their chosen major at the University. To review general university admissions requirements and complete an undergraduate application for admission to the Bachelor of Public Policy and Administration (BPPA) program, please Click Here. 

Foreign Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate competency in a foreign language or American Sign Language at the level of the second semester of a college language sequence (High school courses cannot be used to fulfill this requirement). This requirement may be met by successfully completing with a grade of ‘C’ or better: a) the second semester of a two-semester sequence basic language course or b) any second-year or third-year foreign language course. This requirement may also be fulfilled by presenting acceptable scores in the Advanced Placement Exam, the SAT II, the CLEP exam, or other approved instruments. Students should consult their advisors for more specific information.

Lower Division Preparation

It is recommended that applicants complete the Associate of Arts degree (60 semester hours) in the lower division and the University Core Curriculum (UCC) requirements.

Program prerequisites include the following courses: American Government (POS 2041), Economics (ECO 2013 or ECO 2023) and Computer Fundamentals (CGS 2060, CGS 2100, or CGS 2518).

Upper Division Program

Students must complete 36 credit hours of upper division coursework (3000 level or greater).

Students must complete the following requirements:

1. Ten core courses (30 credits), including the three credit seminar, PAD 4934 (Integrative Seminar in Public Administration).
2. Two 3000-level courses (6 credits) of concentration to be taken from the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).
3. Students must earn a grade of ‘C’ or higher in each of the core courses and concentration electives.

Students are required to enroll in PAD 3003 during the first 12 hours of upper-division coursework.

Degree Requirements:

Core Curriculum (Effective as of Fall 2025)

30 required credit hours (10 core courses) with a ‘C’ or better.
If you do not receive a ‘C’ or better, the course must be repeated.

Complete ALL of the following courses: 

• PAD 3003(GL) - Introduction to Public Policy and Administration (this is now a GL course)
• PAD 3034(GL) - Policy Development and Implementation
• PAD 3800(GL) - Managing Global Cities
• PUP 4042 - Analytical Tools for Public Service
• PUP 4033(GL) - Public Service Leadership and Management
• PUP 4103 - South FLorida Urban Laboratory
• PUP 4110 - Public Service Budgeting and Fiscal Managemen
• PUP 4214(GL) - Global Perspectives on Poverty
• PUP 4834 - Urban Resilience and Sustainability Policies in a Global Context
• PAD 4934 - Integrative Seminar in Public Policy and Service

Please follow this link to learn about how you can earn a Global Learning medallion

Integrative Seminar (3 credits):

All students must complete PAD 4934, the Integrative Seminar in Public Policy and Service. Must obtain a ‘C’ or better in the Seminar. PAD 4934 must be in last semester, enrollment requires advisor’s approval.

Concentration Electives (6 credits):

Students are required to take 6 credits of upper-division coursework from any department withnin SIPA. These courses may constitute part of a minor or a certificate program in another department. Such a minor or certificate program must be pre-approved by the undergraduate advisor and be relevant to the chosen administrative area of concentration

Students with no relevant public or nonprofit experience are strongly encouraged to use the elective credits to complete a relevant Internship.

Recommended Undergraduate Certificates to fulfill Elective Requirements:

• Certificate in Civic Leadership and Engagement
• Certificate in National Security Studies
• Certificate in Public Policy Studies
• Certificate in Environmental Studies

For more information about the BPPA program, please contact:

Dr. Keith Revell
BPPA Program Director
11200 SW 8th Street, PCA 251B
Miami, FL 33199
Phone: 305-348-0411
Email: revellk@fiu.edu