Frequently Asked Questions

Public Administration, Undergraduate

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
What are the requirements needed to declare the Public Administration major?
Students must fulfill the premajor requirements described in the catalog in effect at the time they declare the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).  However, if you are not currently a premajor, you may declare as a “New Major” provided you have met the current catalog year requirements listed below.

1.   Completion of 6 required prerequisites (18 units):

  • Accountancy 201
  • Economics 101 (this course is also a prerequisite for the Minor)
  • Economics 102 (this course is also a prerequisite for the Minor)
  • Information and Decision Systems 180 (Minors must also take one course from IDS 180 or Statistics)
  • Political Science 102 (this course is also a prerequisite for the Minor)
  • A three-unit course in elementary statistics
  • An additional three-unit prerequisite, PA 200, is required and may be taken concurrently with PA upper-division courses.

2. Minimum grade of “C” in all prerequisites.  These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC).

3. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units.

4. Minimum 2.40 Cumulative GPA.

How do I declare the Public Administration major?
1.  You must complete the Declaration or Change of Undergraduate Majorform.  This form can be obtained from the Office of theRegistrar (Student Services West 1641) or from the PA Lobby (PSFA 100).

  • If you have met the above criteria, check the appropriate box for “New Major” (if you are not currently a premajor), or  “Change from Premajor to Major” (if you are currently a premajor).
  • If you have not met the above criteria, check the box for “New PreMajor”.
  • To declare the Minor check the box for “New Minor”.
  • Write “Public Administration” under the appropriate title.
  • Check box for “BA” degree.
  • The department will fill in the “New Code”.

2.  Obtain official or unofficial transcript(s) from all institutions of higher education you have attended. (It is not necessary to attach transcripts when declaring the premajor)

3.  Highlight the catalog year in which you declared the premajor (if applicable).  Highlight the prerequisites that you have completed.  Highlight your Cumulative GPA.  Highlight your total earned units.

4.  Attach transcript(s) to the Declaration or Change of Undergraduate Major form.

  5.  Submit form for approval and signature to the PA student’s “Drop Box” in the PA Lobby (PSFA 100); you may retrieve the form from the PA student’s “Pick-Up Box” ABOUT ONE WEEK LATER. 

Who do I see for Public Administration Advising?
You may speak to the PA Coordinator, or a PA Faculty Advisor:

PA Coordinator
Dr. Lawrence Herzog
PSFA 111
594-6964
ugradpa@mail.sdsu.edu
   
PA Faculty Advisors 
Advisors can be found here. Nancy Flitcraft in PSFA 101 can assist with advising issues/questions when PA Advisors are unavailable.

Where do I find the PA Master Plan?
The PA Master Plan is located in the PA Center lobby (PSFA 100), or the School’s web site at http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~spaus/

Can I minor in Public Administration?
Yes:  In order to declare the minor you will need to complete the Declaration or Change of Undergraduate Major form. 

Who do I see regarding undergraduate internships in Public Administration?
Dr. Susan Baer is the PA internship coordinator.  She can be reached at 619-594-4934, or sbaer@mail.sdsu.edu .  Her office is PSFA 174.

How do I register for a class with a restricted schedule number?
Restricted schedule numbers are only granted by the instructor of record.  Contact the instructor to get the schedule number and an add code. 

Do I need to be a declared Public Administration Major in order to take PA upper division classes?
Yes, upper division PA classes are only open to declared majors.  Upper division courses include all 300 level and above.

How do I complete the Public Administration Master Plan?
1. To complete your PA Master Plan You must fill out a PA Master Plan Worksheet by the beginning of your last semester at SDSU.  Worksheets are available in PA lobby (PSFA 100). 

2. Turn in your signed Master Plan Worksheet to the PA Coordinator (Dr. Herzog) in PSFA 111.  Be sure to attach a copy of your Degree Audit Report (DAR).  Once he signs the worksheet, he will leave it for you in the PA student’s “Pick-Up Box” (on table in PA lobby) with the PA Official Program (triplicate form-white, yellow, pink) attached.

  1. You should then copy the worksheet information onto the PA Official Program and leave it with the worksheet attached in the PA student’s “Drop Box” (on table in PA lobby).  The PA Coordinator (Dr. Herzog) will review the form, sign it and leave it in the PA office.  The PA office will forward the white sheet to the Office of Advising & Evaluations-Graduation Specialist.  The yellow sheet is filed in the PA office.  The pink sheet and worksheet (your copies) are returned in the PA student’s “Pick Up Box”.  Turn around is about one week.

Where do I find the Public Administration Master Plan?
The PA Master Plan Worksheets are located in the PA Center Lobby (PSFA 100).  It is the last page of the PA Advising Guide.

Can I start taking classes needed to complete my PA major if I am not yet a declared major?

Yes:  the PA advising guide lists several classes from other departments which can be taken as electives toward your PA major.  Review the PA Advising Guide for a detailed listing.

What is the advantage in declaring the PA premajor?
By declaring the PA premajor, you will be under the catalog year in which you declare the premajor.  If requirements change for declaring the major, you will not be affected.