Deidra Kelly (Director)

In collaboration with Whitworth's College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Continuing Studies offers a B.A. in public service administration. This interdisciplinary degree builds on the strength of a liberal arts core curriculum, integrating a robust curriculum focused on cultivating excellent leaders in public service. Through a series of coursework designed to empower servant leadership, including business, sociology, political science and more, students become well-equipped to address challenges and opportunities of the ever-changing public sector. The program encourages development of sustainability strategies, crucial leadership skills, and cultural competence, aiding graduates of the public service administration program to be effective stewards and community leaders.

Learning outcomes of this major are as follows:

Students will be able to:

1. Identify and analyze legal and ethical issues in the public sector
2. Articulate the role of public service in society
3. Demonstrate knowledge and application of leadership styles within the public sector
4. Demonstrate public speaking and presentation skills required by leadership roles in the public sector
5. Demonstrate critical thinking skills required to maintain a sustainable organization
6. Identify their own faith and its implications on their service
7. Demonstrate cultural competence and its benefits to effective leadership