Farmingdale State College (FSC) is proud to announce the launch of a new bachelor’s degree program designed to prepare students for impactful careers in government, nonprofit organizations, and in the many fields that intersect with public policy.   

The Public Administration and Policy Program provides a strong foundation in political science together with coursework in fields such as economics, communications, and law. Students will connect classroom theory with real-world practice from day one, developing versatile skills that support a wide range of careers both inside and outside of government across all economic sectors.  

“In today’s economy, students need the breadth to be able to move within and across industries and entire sectors,” said Associate Professor of Political Science Michael Motta, PhD, JD.  “The Public Administration and Policy Program will help students get their first job, but in addition, we want our students to understand how government works and, more importantly, we want them to know how they can work.”  

With a focus on real-world practice and experiential learning, students will use social science research methods and analytical techniques to design, implement and evaluate public policies and programs at every level of government, including complex policy domains such as energy, health care, and technology. 

“The program is designed to instill knowledge and skills that are transferable as well as a deep understanding of how government administers policy in this complex world,” said Motta.  

Program graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce as entry-level public administrators in public, private, and non-profit organizations, with theoretical grounding, applied experience, and versatile skill sets necessary for long-term career advancement across multiple sectors.  

“The program draws on existing academic strengths across FSC’s curriculum, including political science, geospatial information systems, history, and other disciplines," Motta added of the program, which will also offer flexible upper-division electives and exciting internship opportunities. “Students are learning a common core regarding how change happens and, more importantly, how they can be part of that change.”  

“I am very excited for FSC to finally have the Public Administration and Policy Program,” said Arvin Liu, ’28, who will be joining the program’s first student cohort next fall. “It is great to have a program that will help prepare me for law school and that offers civil law, which is what I am planning to pursue. I’m looking forward to the coursework, how the program can help me in my future career by preparing me for what’s to come, and the different internship opportunities I can learn about from my professors.” 

Applications are being accepted for enrollment in the fall 2026 semester. For more information, please visit the Public Administration and Policy Program webpage.   

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