Choosing Public Administration means majoring in a liberal arts program with a defined professional outcome.Liberal arts means broad and general studies, with an emphasis on developing abilities to read with insight, to write with clarity and grace, and to think with power, logically and quantitatively. Liberal arts majors present themselves to potential employers as capable people with a sound foundation, ready to specialize in the employer's area.

Defined professional outcome means that most students of public administration share an intention to become public managers, leaders in governmental and nonprofit agencies. Public administration students develop analytical tools and content knowledge specifically useful for public management, alongside general perspectives on government and public policy-making.