Behind the scenes of every country, city, town and urban area are professionals who plan, develop and manage the programs and policy initiatives that drive change. At the local, state and federal level, public administrators have a hand in the process.

The Political Science Department at Saint Joseph's offers a major in Public Administration for students interested in serving their communities professionally. By combining courses in public policy, political science and management, students receive an interdisciplinary, value-based framework for careers in public service, government, nonprofit management, prison systems, regulatory agencies and as elected public officials. The broad-based curriculum, taught by a distinguished faculty, provides students the analysis and critical thinking skills necessary for success.

All majors are expected to complete a 3-credit internship; alternatively, the semester-long Washington Internship Program is available. Through the Philadelphia Area Internship Program, majors gain hands-on experience working in a public sector, private sector or non-government organization in the Philadelphia area. Past interns have been placed in the Philadelphia, Delaware County and Montgomery County District Attorney's Offices, at private law firms, area congressional offices, the U.S. Bureau of State Employment, National Public Radio/WHYY, and the Foreign Policy Research Institute.