A Bachelor in Public Administration (BPA) is offered by the public sector, and is known to be the equivalent to the private sectors Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). This degree takes four years to complete, and it is designed to equip students who have prior work experience to be effective leaders in solving public problems. Students pursue this degree which is designed to help practicing and aspiring administrators further develop the skills and techniques needed to provide leadership across a spectrum of public service fields.

It is a valuable professional degree for any individual looking to serve as a manager in the local, state or federal government. Within nonprofit organizations or nonprofit sectors an BPA is seen as increasingly valuable as it places an emphasis on the systemic organization and management of a job. More importantly, a typical BPA program prepares students by teaching management and decision making skills under sometimes difficult circumstances due to the nature of the work. The ability to lead in the public sector is an imperative skill cultivated nicely throughout the degree.

A standard BPA core curriculum focuses on ethical decision making, diversity, finance, trends in public administration, public service and knowledge on theoretical foundations. The leadership component is targeted to teach students how to shape, change and influence the improvement of public policy. Students go on to work in a number of different professional fields within public, private or nonprofit sectors. Some options include global development banks, multinational financial institutions, strategic consulting firms or private sectors that have tremendous public impact. A Bachelor in Public Administration is the perfect degree to effectuate change in various arenas of work.