The public and nonprofit administration undergraduate programs at Western Michigan University prepare students for a variety of professional careers in the public and nonprofit sectors. These programs provide you with:
- A thorough academic exposure to the theory and practice of public service, with preparation in administrative, managerial, and programmatic functions of public and nonprofit organizations;
- Internship opportunities to apply your academic preparation into the professional practice at government and nonprofit agencies, potentially leading to a future job; and
- Experiential learning through a capstone project that takes you to the practice of public service.
You can gain valuable networking and professional development opportunities through such student organizations as Nonprofit Leadership Student Association and Phi Alpha Alpha chapter at the university. The experiential learning approach adopted throughout the coursework also allows you to network in the larger professional community outside of the university.
Graduates with a degree in public and nonprofit administration are expected to pursue professional careers at city, county, state, and federal government agencies, nonprofit organizations and foundations focusing on public and social purpose, and hospitals, schools, colleges/universities, and other specialized organizations. The range of expected entry-level professional careers includes (but is not limited to):
- Administrative services
- Community planning and development
- Education administration
- Emergency management
- Fiscal and public policy analysis
- Health care administration
- Human resources management
- Organizational management
- Program and public management
- Public relations and fund raising
- Social services administration