Public Administration and Policy
Bachelor of Science Degree
The Public Administration and Policy program provides graduates with the interdisciplinary skills, technical abilities, and social knowledge necessary for successful careers in government and in the many private and non-profit organizations that interface with public policy. Our program provides foundational and advanced courses in political science, as well as several other fields, including communications, economics, and law. In conjunction with faculty advisors, students will customize their curriculum to achieve their academic and career goals. Internship opportunities and a service-learning capstone ensure that graduates can apply classroom theory to real-world practice on day one, and their broadly applicable skills and knowledge will serve them well wherever their career takes them, affording possibilities in and outside of government, and in all sectors of the economy.
Typical Employment Opportunities
Town, County, State, and Federal Government
Policy Research and Data Analysis
Program Evaluation
Advocacy and Community Organizing
Nonprofit and Public Service Management
Management and Policy Consulting
Community and Economic Development
Regulatory and Compliance Affairs
Government Relations, Public Affairs, and Corporate Social Responsibility
Graduate and Professional Study (JD, MPA, MPP, PhD)
Public Administration and Policy (BS) Program Outcomes:
Graduates will:
- Use methods of social science and techniques of analysis to implement and evaluate public policies and programs at all levels of government.
- Utilize their knowledge of administrative processes in complex policy domains such as energy, health care, and technology.
- Conduct primary and secondary policy research using both quantitative and qualitative data.
- Apply theories of public administration and related disciplines to real-world practice through experiential learning.
- Perform the duties of an entry-level public administrator in public, private, and non-profit organizations, and will possess abilities that are necessary for career advancement and that are transferable across multiple sectors.
- Explain the political context surrounding public policy and public administration and utilize this knowledge for the benefit of their employer.
Admission to Farmingdale State College - State University of New York is based on the qualifications of the applicant without regard to age, sex, marital or military status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.
Contact Information
History, Politics and Geography
Dr. Timothy Nicholson
Memorial Hall, 221
934-420-2739
hpg@farmingdale.edu
Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Fall 2026
Subject to revision
| College Requirement | (1 credit) |
|---|---|
| FYE 101 First Year Experience* | 1 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | (61 credits) |
|---|---|
| EGL 101 Composition I: College Writing (GE) | 3 |
| EGL 102 Composition II: Writing About Literature | 3 |
| EGL 310 Technical Writing (GE) | 3 |
| SPE 202 Interpersonal Communication (GE) | 3 |
| SPE 330 Professional and Technical Speech (GE) | 3 |
| ECO 157 Microeconomics (GE) | 3 |
| Any GEO course (200 level or higher) | 3 |
| GEO 311 Geography of Long Island | 3 |
| GIS 231 Geospatial Research Methods | 3 |
| GIS 301 GIScience | 3 |
| US History and Civic Engagement (GE) | 3 |
| HIS 365 Public History | 3 |
| MTH 110 Statistics (GE) | 3 |
| Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (GE) | 3 |
| PHI 205 Ethics (GE) | 3 |
| PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (GE) | 3 |
| PSY 311 or BUS 311 Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| Natural Science and Scientific Reasoning with Lab (GE) | 4 |
| The Arts (GE) | 3 |
| World Languages (GE) | 3 |
| Required Politics Courses | (30 credits) |
|---|---|
| POL 110 Introduction to Legal Studies | 3 |
| POL 115 Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| POL 250 American Politics (GE) | 3 |
| POL 251 State and Local Government (GE) | 3 |
| POL 264 Public Administration | 3 |
| POL 344 DEI: History, Politics and Policy | 3 |
| POL 350 Administrative Law | 3 |
| POL 364 Advanced Public Administration | 3 |
| POL 366 Quantitative Methods of Political Science | 3 |
| POL 464 Public Administration Senior Project** | 3 |
| Electives | (30 credits) |
|---|---|
| Free Electives (any level) | 18 |
| Technical Electives (300/400 level)*** | 12 |
Curriculum Summary
* FYE 101 First Year Experience is required for all first time full time students
**POL 464 Senior Project will be taken by all students in their final semester
***With faculty advisement, students will select technical electives that are in line with their career goals and professional development. Students may be able to fulfill this requirement with an internship or a combination of courses and internship.
Degree Type: BS
Total Required Credits: 121-122
Please refer to the General Education, Applied Learning, and Writing Intensive requirement sections of the College Catalog and consult with your advisor to ensure that graduation requirements are satisfied.
As a part of the SUNY General Education Framework, all first-time full time Freshman at Farmingdale State College (FSC) beginning Fall 2023, are required to develop knowledge and skills in Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEISJ). Students will be able to fulfill this requirement at FSC by taking a specially designated DEISJ course that has been developed by faculty and approved by the DEISJ Review Board. DEISJ-approved courses will be developed in accordance with the guiding principles and criteria outlined below. DEISJ-approved courses may meet other General Education Knowledge and Skills areas and/or core competencies and thus be dually designated. DEISJ-approved courses may also earn other special designations such as those for Applied Learning or Writing Intensive.
FYE 101 First Year Experience
This course is designed to assist new students in acclimating, connecting, and adjusting to the college campus and experience. Through presentations, discussions and group work, students will become familiar with college resources and learn strategies for academic success. Students will also be introduced to the values and ethical principles of the College and encouraged to reflect on their role/responsibilities as college students. Topics include time management, study skills, stress management, goal setting, course and career planning, self-assessment and awareness, and the development of wellness strategies. Note: Students completing FYE 101 may not receive credit for FRX101, FYS 101, or RAM 101. Credits 1 (1.0)
EGL 101 Composition I: College Writing
This is the first part of a required sequence in college essay writing. Students learn to view writing as a process that involves generating ideas, formulating and developing a thesis, structuring paragraphs and essays, as well as revising and editing drafts. The focus is on the development of critical and analytical thinking. Students also learn the correct and ethical use of print and electronic sources. At least one research paper is required. A grade of C or higher is a graduation requirement. Note: Students passing a departmental diagnostic exam given on the first day of class will remain in EGL 101; all others will be placed in EGL 097. Prerequisite is any of the following: successful completion of EGL 097; an SAT essay score (taken prior to March 1, 2016) of 7 or higher; an SAT essay score (taken after March 1, 2016) of 5 or higher; on-campus placement testing. Note: Students cannot earn credit for EGL 101 if EGL 101E was taken.
EGL 102 Composition II: Writing About Literature
This is the second part of the required introductory English composition sequence. This course builds on writing skills developed in EGL 101, specifically the ability to write analytical and persuasive essays and to use research materials correctly and effectively. Students read selections from different literary genres (poetry, drama, and narrative fiction). Selections from the literature provide the basis for analytical and critical essays that explore the ways writers use works of the imagination to explore human experience. Grade of C or higher is a graduation requirement. Prerequisite(s): EGL 101
EGL 310 Technical Writing
A detailed study of the fundamentals of writing technical reports and other technical communications. Topics emphasized include the elements of a technical report, the interpretation of statistics and data, and the composition of letters, memos, and informal reports containing technical information. Assignments and student exercises are drawn from the student's technical area. Prerequisite(s): EGL 102 with a grade of C or higher
SPE 202 Interpersonal Communications
An Introduction to effective interpersonal communication skills covering areas such as effective and active listening, feedback techniques, the effects of self-concept and perception in daily communications, and non-verbal and cross-cultural communication. These skills will be developed through class lectures, group exercises, and individual activities and assignments. Prerequisite(s): EGL 101
SPE 330 Professional and Technical Speech
A course designed to prepare students to develop and deliver oral presentations in a professional, business, scientific, or technical context, stressing methods of presenting information specific to students’ disciplines. Students use audio-visual materials or technology to enhance their presentations. Prerequisite(s): EGL 102
ECO 157 Principles of Economics (Microeconomics)
This course introduces students to fundamental economic concepts and theory, including demand, supply, and the formation of equilibrium prices in product and resource markets. Students will learn a specific set of analytical tools as well as how to apply them to current policy issues. In addition, the course offers an introduction to applied fields such as industrial organization (market structures), labor economics, international trade, and market failure.
GEO 311 Geography of Long Island
In this course students will examine the physical, cultural, social, economic, political, and environmental geography of Long Island. This geography course will support career paths for those interested in Long Island's tourism industry, economic development, local government, public policy, and ecology. While the primary focus of the course is on Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Brooklyn and Queens are also considered, as is Long Island's relationship within the larger region, including Manhattan, Connecticut, and the mainland of New York State. Prerequisite(s): Any HIS, POL, GEO or GIS course at the 200-level or higher
GIS 231 Geospatial Research Methods
This course exposes students to the process of doing geographic research. Basic epistemological and ontological approaches will be reviewed through the use of readings on research methodologies and selected readings from the geography literature. Class discussion will focus on the identification of research problems, construction of hypotheses, and development of research design. The course will cover a variety of important contemporary geographic theories and will complete exercises to give students hands-on experience in completing qualitative and quantitative geographic research. Note: Students cannot get credit for GIS 231 and 231W; GIS 231W can be used to fulfill the writing intensive requirement. Prerequisite(s): EGL 101, MTH 110 and Any 200-Level or Higher GEO course.
GIS 301 GIScience
This course will cover fundamentals of geographic information science (GIScience), the application of geographic information systems (GIS) technology to scientific inquiry involving geospatial data. GIScience intersects with fields as diverse as epidemiology, urban studies, environmental science, criminal justice, public policy, business management, marketing, data science, etc. This course offers hands-on application of techniques for the capture, storage, processing, analysis, and communication of geospatial data Prerequisite(s): EGL 101 with a grade of C or higher and (any 200 level or higher GEO course, or MTH 110) all with a grade of C or higher and Junior Level Status.
HIS 365 Public History
Why do so many Americans claim to hate history as a subject, yet spend their weekends visiting historic sites, watching historical films, performing genealogical research, or otherwise engaging with the past? This course will explore this question by introducing students to the field of public history. We will study the many ways that history is put to work in the world outside of the classroom. Topics to be covered include oral history, museum studies, walking tours, documentary films, websites, and social media. Prerequisite(s): Any 100- level or higher history course.
MTH 110 Statistics
Basic concepts of probability and statistical inference. Included are the binominal, normal, and chi-square distributions. Practical applications are examined. Computer assignments using Minitab form an integral part of the course. Prerequisite(s): MP2 or MTH 015
PHI 205 Ethics
This course will introduce students to the basic questions, concepts, theories, and methods of moral philosophy as well as teach students how to apply moral philosophy to contemporary issues. The relationship between ethics and other branches of philosophy will also be discussed. NOTE: Students cannot earn credit for PHI 205 and PHI 205H PHI 205H is for students in the Honors Program. Prerequisite(s): EGL 102 with a grade of C or higher
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
This course is designed to present basic psychological concepts and to introduce students to the scientific study of behavior. Core topics include methods of psychological research, the biological bases of behavior, principles of learning, memory and cognition, personality, and psychopathology. Other selected topics to be covered would include the following: motivation and emotion, life-span development, social psychology, health psychology, sensation and perception, intelligence, human sexuality, statistics, and altered states of consciousness.
PSY 311 Organizational Behavior
This upper-division course presents the concepts of organizational behavior and structure as well as topics relating to motivation content and process theories; group communications and dynamics; decision making; causes and resolutions of organizational conflicts; and factors pertaining to influence, power and politics in organizations. Note: Students cannot get credit for PSY 311 and 311W; PSY 311W can be used to fulfill the writing intensive requirement. Note: Offered at the discretion of the Psychology Department. Prerequisite(s): BUS 109 or PSY 101.
BUS 311 Organizational Behavior
This upper-division course presents the concepts of organizational behavior and structure as well as topics relating to motivation content and process theories; group communication and dynamics; decision making; causes and resolutions of organizational conflicts; and factors pertaining to influence, power, and politics in organizations. Note: Students completing this course may not receive credit for PSY 311. Prerequisite(s): BUS 109, or PSY 101 or permission of department chair.
POL 110 Introduction to Legal Studies
This is a survey course designed to give the student a basic introduction to law beginning with the various schools of legal philosophical thought, criminal and civil law and procedure, and basic contract law. The course provides the student with an understanding and overview of how the American legal system functions including introducing students to the principles of law, the administration of the legal system, legal terminology, and the inter- relationship between politics, governmental structures, legal professionals and the functioning of the legal system.
POL 115 Introduction to Public Policy
This course is a survey of contemporary issues in American public policy such as education, health care, welfare programs, crime, environmental issues, and the economy. The course will promote familiarity with major policy issues being discussed and debated in government today, as well as develop students problem-solving abilities, analytical techniques, critical thinking, and communication skills. A variety of social science fields and concepts, including political economy, program evaluation, policy analysis, and public management, will be assessed and applied to problems of governmental administration, management, and operations.
POL 250 American Politics
This course introduces students to American Politics by focusing on national politics. In addition to examining the structure of U.S. government at the federal level, this course will also investigate American political behavior (especially political parties, elections, voting) and selected policy debates the animate contemporary political discussion. NOTE: Students cannot earn credit for POL 250 and POL 250*D POL 250*D can be used to fulfill the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice requirement.
POL 251 State and Local Government
An examination of the structures and purposes of state, county, and municipal political institutions, emphasizing the importance of citizen participation in community affairs and the election process, in enhancing the effectiveness of state legislatures and judicial systems, county and municipal government, and the protection of civil rights through law enforcement.
POL 264 Public Administration
Introduces the role of public administration in governance at the local, regional, state, and federal level. Topics include the development of public administration as a profession and as an academic discipline; administrative and organizational theory; decision-making; the effect of politics; how policies are evaluated; as well as the roles of management, budgeting, finance, accountability, and ethics. By reading and discussing classic texts, and through analysis of case studies, students will understand the institutions, processes, and values that underlie the administration of public policy in both government and non-profit settings. Prerequisite(s): EGL 101 and any 100-level POL course both with a C or higher.
POL 344 DEI: History, Politics, and Policy
This course examines diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. American history is tumultuous and rife with institutions that were designed to exclude various minority groups. DEI policies were developed as a way to combat these systemic prejudices. This course first delves into the history of DEI policy and discuss the circumstances that led to their development. The course further examines how to read and understand these policies and analyze the impact that they've had. Finally, the course explores the recent debates surrounding DEI policy and discusses possibilities for what a future with and without DEI policies may look like. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level or higher POL course
POL 350 Administrative Law
This course offers an in-depth exploration of administrative law, emphasizing its role in shaping public administration and governance in the United States. Building on foundational knowledge from prior coursework in legal studies and politics, students will delve into the complex interplay between administrative agencies, the executive branch, and the judiciary. Key topics will include the federal and state agency rule making and adjudication processes, the legal requirements of private companies and non-profits funded by public money, the formation and ultimate reversal of the Chevron Doctrine, and how administrative law ensures that agencies operate within legal and ethical boundaries, or how it doesn't. Prerequisite(s): POL 110 and any 200-level or higher POL course