Bachelor of Arts, Major in Public Administration

at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth USA

Massachusetts is one of the world's hubs for digital technology. UMass Dartmouth's animation and game arts program integrates digital art, design, and technology to advance the quality of digital communication and create a more understandable world.

You'll concentrate on digital animation and interactive multimedia while exploring 2- and 3-dimensional design, web design, and virtual reality. As you explore the potential of various digital media technologies, you'll engage in consistent, hands-on experimentation, working with faculty members who have considerable expertise in the field.

Your BFA in Art + Design: Animation + Game Art will prepare you to meet the design and communications challenges of the 21st century with careers in areas such as art direction, advertising, animation, broadcasting, creative direction, education, environmental design, game design, interface design, multimedia, scientific visualization, software application design, special effects, video editing, virtual reality and web design.

The BFA is a professional degree with concentrated areas of specialization, so you will take more art courses than you would in a BA program. At UMass Dartmouth, you also have the advantages of a university education where you can diversify your studies and expand your career opportunities.

The Department of Civil Engineering offers a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with a concentration in environmental resources engineering. Engineers in this field apply civil engineering principles and processes to solve problems relating to air pollution, water pollution, solid waste and hazardous waste management, renewable energy, and water resources engineering.

The environmental resources engineering concentration emphasizes:

• Assessment of the environmental impact of new or existing products or processes
• Methods for solving problems resulting from pollution
• Management of energy and resources in order to minimize pollution

Your program of study will provide in-depth knowledge of environmental engineering and an awareness of potential social, economic, political, and environmental impacts of environmental engineering practices.

You will be prepared to:

• Analyze and design environmental resources engineering systems
• Apply multidisciplinary approaches to manage the competing social, political, economic, and technical goals of environmental problems and solutions
• Work in multidisciplinary teams to solve environmental resources engineering problems

The Management major prepares you to succeed in environments that require initiative, professionalism, and the ability to work independently. You'll develop your analytical and leadership skills and gain knowledge in how to supervise others, develop and implement strategies, and advance organizational goals.

UMass Dartmouth's Management degree offers 2 study options that enable you to refine your management skills in your area of interest:

Small Business and Entrepreneurship option
You'll focus on how to identify, plan, and start a new venture—either as a start-up or an as an initiative within an existing business.

You will complete 3 core courses in Management, and elective courses that cover topics such as the identification of new products and services and the development of comprehensive business plans.

Leadership option
Organizational leaders plan and coordinate the activities of others, as well as doing hands-on work themselves. As a general manager, you'll combine day-to-day operations with special projects, personnel decisions, customer relations, and budgeting.

You will complete 3 core courses in Management, and elective courses that cover topics such as career development and human resources management.

Focus your studies on international affairs. The Political Science Department offers a BA degree in political science with a concentration in international politics.

The International Politics Concentration promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity with respect to international politics; it enables students to address global issues and contribute to the public good.

Building on a strong foundation of American and comparative politics, international relations, and political theory, the international politics concentration provides you with the knowledge and analytical skills to understand politics within other countries and politics among countries.

Through experiences in and out of the classroom, you’ll learn to address critical global issues and contribute to the public good. You’ll acquire proficiency in writing, communication, advocacy, and comparative analysis: all vital skills in today’s global workplace.

You’ll be prepared for careers in international business, development, and diplomacy, and to continue your education at the graduate level.

The emphasis of computer and information science is on software, the methodologies of computing, and the study of powerful programming.

The computer science curriculum is programming intensive, supported by substantial laboratory components, and directed toward modern software development. Your studies are supplemented by work in specialized labs and a network of state-of-the-art workstations.

You will be prepared to work in the computer industry and in business, in careers that have high growth and earning potential. You may work as a computer scientist, software engineer, software developer, database administrator, computer support specialist, or system administrator. You'll also be well-prepared to continue your studies at the graduate level.

The Computer & Information Science Department also offers a bachelor's degree in computer science with an option in software engineering: the systematic approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software systems used in business, medicine, science, engineering, entertainment, and other fields.

A UMassD bachelor's degree in Public Administration will train students to work in the public sector at the local, state or federal level. We aim to prepare graduates who possess the analytical, critical-thinking, and writing skills necessary for employment in the public sector.

A UMassD bachelor’s degree in Public Administration will train students to work in the public sector at the local, state or federal level. We aim to prepare graduates who possess the analytical, critical-thinking, and writing skills necessary for employment in the public sector. A BS in Public Administration will require more intensive quantitative analytical skills and prepare you for budgetary and financial management.

As a student in the Public Administration program, you will learn to:

• Understand concepts, theories and empirical findings in public administration
• Design research and perform data analysis and interpretation
• Understand and synthesize professional and popular writing on public affairs
• Formulate and analyze arguments including their structure and force
• Assess the relevance and weight of evidence
• Write clearly and persuasively
• Organize their ideas in a focused paper or presentation

Electrical engineers design and develop electrical and electronic components and systems for power, communications, and control; integrated circuits; and computers.

Electrical engineering is the largest field within the engineering profession, and it continues to grow and evolve. Electrical engineers are working in such diverse fields as acoustics, aerospace, automotive, communications, consumer electronics, energy resources, the environment, medical and biomedical fields, power, signal processing, space, testing, and underwater systems.

Our program prepares you for this evolving field by providing a strong background in science, mathematics, and engineering. You will be prepared for positions in industry and with government agencies and to continue your studies at the graduate level.

The Electrical Engineering program prepares students to meet changing high-technology needs in electrical engineering, and for graduate study, by providing a strong background in science, mathematics and engineering.

Electrical Engineering encompasses a broad range of specialties including communications, signal processing, instrumentation, control and automation, power conversion and distribution, RF and microwave devices and systems, and digital and analog techniques. In any of these specialties, electrical engineers work with devices and/or systems to perform various functions such as research and development, systems analysis, management, production, testing, quality control, or sales. They may pursue careers in many areas, such as monitoring and control of the environment, space exploration, aerospace and defense, ocean engineering, energy resources, biomedical engineering, information technology, law, or medicine.

The program consists of a core of basic science and mathematical courses interwoven throughout the four years of study. The student also selects 15 credit hours in a new general education curriculum called University Studies. Students begin to identify with their field in the first and second year of study. In the junior year, students gain a foundation for further study in particular branches of electrical engineering. A senior year composed primarily of elective courses and a capstone design project allows the students to concentrate their studies in one or more areas of their choice, and hone their skills for the real world. A co-op or internship experience is also available for qualified students in cooperation with regional industries.

Prepare for a career in graphic design by learning how to communicate visually.

You’ll develop your talents and skills to achieve a high level of professional ability, while pursuing your own creative goals. The BFA in Art + Design: Graphic Design will prepare you for the many career opportunities available in contemporary design practice.

The BFA is a professional degree with concentrated areas of specialization, so you will take more art and design courses than you would in a BA program. At UMass Dartmouth, you also have the advantages of a university education where you can diversify your studies and expand your career opportunities by exploring fields such as business, sustainability, writing/communication, computer science, and many more.

Our faculty—who are also professionals in their fields—will teach you how to:

• Research and analyze content as part of the design process
• Work within the context of the message, audience, environment, and technology
• Develop graphic translations such as symbols, books, posters, and interactive media
• Create art with a purpose

The Master of Science program in Computer Engineering provides:

• Structure: as you develop a firm foundation to succeed at the advanced level in industry or to pursue further graduate studies
• Flexibility: follow your own particular interest as you complete your studies

Our graduates are successful technical contributors to industry and productive faculty members in electrical and computer engineering departments.

The Master of Science degree programs in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth provide sufficient structure to ensure that each graduate of either program has a firm foundation to go on to further graduate studies or to succeed at the advanced level in industry. However, there is enough program flexibility to allow students to pursue studies of their own particular interest.

As a history major, you'll be able to pursue studies in United States, European, Russian, Latin American, African, and Asian history. You'll gain an understanding of the major themes of history and explore the methods of historical study. You can concentrate on topics of your own choosing, and select courses that reflect our faculty's interest in areas as diverse as maritime history, the Middle East, military history, race relations, and terrorism.

The analytical and communications skills you'll develop as a history major can prepare you for a career in civil service, education, foreign service and intelligence, journalism, law, museum work, politics and advocacy, public policy, or public relations. A degree in history can also lead to graduate work in a variety of fields and serve as a sound foundation for law school.

UMassD offers teacher preparation for students who are interested in teaching history at the middle or high school level. You will take graduate-level courses during your final year of course work. These courses help prepare you to take and pass the MTELs and begin teaching after earning your bachelor's degree. After graduation, you can continue your work toward earning your master's degree in teaching by taking 5 more courses.