BS in Government – Public Administration Degree Shape Tomorrow: Empower Your Community

120
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total
Make a Difference in Your Community with an Online Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree
Are you passionate about serving the common good? Do you want to use your leadership skills in government roles? Are you seeking a job that lets you effect positive change in society? If so, you may want to consider a career in public administration! Conferring Liberty’s online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Government – Public Administration can help equip you to work in the private or public sector. From government agencies to nonprofit organizations, you can pursue many jobs that require strong leadership and communication skills.
Public administrators are responsible for implementing government policies on a practical level. With careful planning, they can carry out government directives in a cost-effective manner and design programs that benefit the public. Our bachelor’s in public administration can help foster the skills you need to oversee government projects, balance budgets, and ensure laws are enforced.
At Liberty, we have created our BS in Government degree with your success in mind. We offer affordable tuition rates, quality academics, and a flexible online format — all with the goal of helping you pursue a rewarding career. Partner with us and prepare to give back to your community.








Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked among Niche.com's Top 5 College Campuses in America
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose Liberty University’s BS in Government – Public Administration Program?
If you’re worried that school will get in the way of your other commitments and priorities, we have just what you need. This government degree is offered 100% online, which means you can complete your coursework wherever and whenever it’s most convenient for you! Our classes are only 8 weeks long and have no set login times, providing the flexibility you need to take the next step in your academic journey.
Liberty’s bachelor’s degree in public administration is designed to help develop leaders who are guided by duty, honor, and morality. In this program, you’ll study under professors who have years of experience working in government. They will take what they have learned in their own careers and translate it into practical applications that bring your classroom experience to life.
As a Christian university, we believe moral integrity is an essential part of a functional government. To fulfill our mission of Training Champions for Christ, we’ll help equip you to analyze political theories and practices through the lens of a biblical worldview.
What Will You Study in an Online Degree in Public Administration?
Our public administration online degree dives into various aspects of government processes, policies, personnel, and politics. Throughout this program, you will examine various political ideologies and positions so you can find innovative solutions to government problems. You can also learn how to manage public projects and programs that improve the lives of everyday citizens.
Additionally, Liberty’s online government classes can help you understand how to resolve various conflicts within the global community. You’ll take an in-depth look at aspects of American government, including American exceptionalism, foreign policy, and constitutional history. Whether you want to serve in your local government, lead at the national level, or manage projects for a nonprofit, we can help you pursue your goals.
Explore how government agencies impact the private business sector. With this knowledge, you can help implement programs that protect individuals’ constitutional rights and promote the general welfare. You can also learn about the financing and budgeting aspects of public administration so you can carry out government policies in a cost-effective manner.
Ultimately, our goal is to help you integrate economic theory, management principles, administrative law, and political theory to resolve various problems in the public sector. Our senior seminar can help you synthesize what you’ve learned and apply it to the real world.
Potential Career Opportunities
Our public administration degree online can help you pursue a variety of career paths. You can develop practical skills that can be applied to many jobs in government and public administration. Some of the roles you may qualify for include:
- Administrative officer
- City manager
- Human resources manager
- Nonprofit manager
- Politician
- Public administration consultant
- Public interest advocate
- Research associate
- Urban planning specialist
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under Liberty’s Helms School of Government.
- View the online Undergraduate Government Course Guides (login required).
Degree Completion Plan

Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!
Undergraduate Full Time | $390/Credit |
---|---|
Undergraduate Part Time | $455/Credit |
Military Undergraduate | $250/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Online BS in Public Service
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9595.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official high school transcripts or official GED test scores.*
- Students may be allowed to enroll in up to 12 credit hours with Liberty with the submission of our High School Self-Certification Form (login required – you will first need to claim your Liberty Account).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system).
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
*Official high school transcript requirement may be waived with college transcripts from an accredited college/university showing at least 12 earned credit hours with an acceptable GPA.
Note: A 2.0 or above cumulative GPA is required for admission in good standing.
Transcript Policies
High School Transcript Policy
Applicants may submit a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of a final official high school transcript in order to enroll in up to 12 credit hours at Liberty University.
- Applicants may submit a college transcript showing 12 or more credits from an accredited institution and a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of high school transcripts.
Students must submit official high school transcripts, or official college transcripts showing at least 12 credit hours earned with an acceptable grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution, in order to register for additional courses.
The official high school transcript, GED requirement, and High School Self-Certification Form can be waived if the applicant has earned an associate degree or higher.
Final transcripts must reflect all coursework and final grades received for grades 9-12, a graduation date, and an overall GPA. (Mailed transcripts must be in a sealed and unopened envelope.)
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Military Transfers
If you have military-only transfer credits (completed basic training and enlistment), you must request an official military transcript. Please go to the Military Transfer Credit webpage to request your military transcript.
International Applicants
If you are an international applicant, you may be required to have your international transcripts reviewed. Information regarding the transcript evaluation process for international students can be found by visiting NACES.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515

Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $565 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
- Potential college credit for military training
*Not applicable to certificates.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why study public administration?
This program is designed for students who want to use their leadership, analysis, and communication skills to make a difference in the world. By working as a public administrator, you can help promote liberty and justice for all. Additionally, you can use your creativity to implement projects that help the people in your community. By earning this degree, you can help streamline government processes and ensure taxpayer money is handled appropriately.
Many public administration graduates go on to become administrative services managers. Earning a bachelor’s in public administration is a great way to pursue exciting job opportunities.
What is the difference between public policy and public administration?
Careers in public policy involve researching, writing, and creating government policy. Public administrators find practical ways to implement those policies.
Which is better: a BS in Public Administration or a BA in Government Administration and Development?
While BA degrees often require liberal arts courses, our BS in Government – Public Administration provides foundational math and science courses that can help you develop practical, marketable skills. If you want to gain real-world training, our bachelor’s in government is a great option!
How long are the online courses for the government administration degree, and how often do they start?
Our online courses are only 8 weeks long with 8 different start dates offered each year and no set login times.
Is Liberty University accredited, and if so, by which accreditation body?
Liberty is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
What resources are available through Liberty’s research portal for students?
You can access a wealth of resources through our top-notch research portal while completing your government administration degree online.
What career opportunities can I pursue after earning this degree?
By earning this government studies degree, you can pursue a variety of government, administration, and development careers.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Why Choose Liberty?
- What Will You Study?
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
Have questions?