Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Online Learning Governance for the Civic-Minded
120
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total
Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026
Public administrators play a vital role in society. They are responsible for implementing government directives at a practical level. In other words, they don’t create public policy – they carry out government policies by developing projects and programs that serve the common good.
If you are seeking a rewarding career that lets you make a positive impact on your community, public administration may be the field for you. Liberty’s online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Administration can help provide the tools to identify and address problems, implement public policy, and communicate effectively at all levels of government.
This program is designed to inspire and produce action-oriented students who will become Christ-centered politicians, scholars, and policymakers. Even if you don’t want to work for the government, our public administration online classes can still help you achieve your goals. After graduating, you could go on to work as a nonprofit director or pursue similar management roles.
Partner with us and explore how to promote liberty, freedom, and justice for all in the field of public administration.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Administration.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
Flexibility | As pioneers in distance learning, we’re committed to offering an education that fits your schedule. This bachelor’s degree is offered 100% online, and the classes have no set login times. That means you can complete your coursework wherever and whenever it’s most convenient for you! Most importantly, you can stay invested in your family, job, and community while taking the next step in your academic journey.
Ethical Principles | To fulfill our mission of Training Champions for Christ, all of our courses are taught through the lens of a biblical worldview. Throughout this program, you can become equipped to lead with integrity in the workplace and reach your full potential as you follow God’s calling on your life.
Dedicated Faculty | Our online classes are taught by professors who have years of experience in public administration and who care about you as an individual. They are ready and eager to share their expertise with you, as well as provide the support you need to thrive in college and your career!
Real-World Training | Liberty’s Bachelor of Science in Public Administration curriculum is designed to provide not just textbook knowledge, but also on-the-job skills that can increase your marketability and expand your job opportunities. We want to help you take what you’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world. That way, you can pursue an exciting career and make a difference through your chosen profession.
Liberty’s public administration program strives to help students see their careers as opportunities for Christian service. Our courses provide a firm foundation in the history and practices of civic government. You’ll explore a variety of topics related to government administration, including political theory, law, and economics.
Dive into the core aspects of working in public service. This online bachelor’s in public administration will help you learn how to oversee projects, manage budgets for public programs, and handle legal and political issues related to public administration. Whether you want to work in the government or nonprofit sector, you can become a leader who personally engages with your community and helps the people around you thrive.
Graduates of this online degree in public administration will be able to articulate the biblical roots of our religious, economic, and political liberties, as well as:
Our public administration degree online can help you pursue government employment at the local, state, or federal level. Or, if a career in government isn’t for you, you could also work for a nonprofit organization. Some other roles you may qualify for after completing this degree include:
Degree Completion Plan (PDF)
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
To continue our mission of providing affordable education, electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no additional 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 |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
*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.
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.
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 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:
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.
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.
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.
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
Available Benefits:
*Not applicable to certificates.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Public administrators carry out government policies in a variety of fields, such as education, finance, and health care. While they often work for the federal government, many also work at the state, county, and local levels. Their goal is to develop, implement, and oversee programs that serve the public and meet the needs of citizens.
When choosing a college degree, it’s important to evaluate your interests and long-term goals. If you love developing creative solutions to challenges and meeting the needs of other people, a career in public administration may be right for you. Our program can equip you for exciting jobs in this growing field.
Many public administration graduates go on to work as administrative services managers. This field is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all other industries.* Earning a bachelor’s in public administration is a great way to expand your career prospects, develop a diverse skill set, and pursue job opportunities that let you make a positive difference in the world.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Administrative Services Managers (viewed online Dec. 30, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
BA programs typically require several liberal arts courses. In contrast, our BS in Public Administration contains core math and science classes that can help you develop marketable, on-the-job skills.
As a student in our online college community, you’ll have the opportunity to network with professionals from across the country. Our online courses are only 8 weeks long, with 8 different start dates offered each year and no set login times.
Liberty graduates are frequently sought after by prestigious companies for their integrity, personal discipline, and versatility.
Our bachelor’s in public administration curriculum is based on cutting-edge research. We offer flexible, high-quality academics while keeping your total cost of tuition down.
Inner Navigation
Have questions?
*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.