Bachelor of Public Administration
Department of Public Administration
Develops knowledgeable, ethical, and effective leaders for governance and public service, with a comprehensive foundation in public management, public policy analysis, budgeting, and strategic planning.
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA)
Total Credit Hours
191 Credit Hours
Total Courses
62 Courses
Duration
5 Years (10 Semesters)
Semester Length
17 weeks, inclusive of examinations
Programme Start
September intake
Language of Instruction
English
Campus Location
Mogadishu, Somalia
Modes of Study
Full-Time, Part-Time, and Virtual (online) — all modes cover the same 62 courses and 191 credit hours
Overview
The Bachelor of Public Administration is designed to develop knowledgeable, ethical, and effective leaders capable of addressing the challenges of governance and public service in a rapidly changing world. It offers a comprehensive foundation in public management, governance, organizational behavior, public policy analysis, budgeting, and strategic planning, and equips students with the analytical, administrative, and leadership skills necessary to serve communities, advance institutional performance, and contribute to the public good. The curriculum emphasizes transparency, accountability, equity, and citizen participation as pillars of effective governance, delivered through interactive lectures, case studies, fieldwork, and internships.
Background and Rationale
Somalia's ongoing process of institutional rebuilding has created a pressing need for public servants who can translate policy into effective, accountable administration at the federal, state, and local levels. Government ministries, local authorities, and the non-governmental organizations that partner with them all require staff who understand not only the technical machinery of public administration, but also the specific legal, political, and social context in which Somali institutions operate. The program is housed within the Department of Public Administration, part of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and brings together instructors with backgrounds in public management, law, economics, and political science. Students first build a shared foundation in the social sciences before progressing into specialized public-administration coursework in areas such as public policy, public finance, local governance, and administrative law. What distinguishes this program from a general management or business degree is its explicit orientation toward the public sector and the institutions of governance: how public organizations are structured and held accountable, how public budgets and personnel systems operate, how policy is made and implemented, and how administrators are expected to conduct themselves ethically. Where relevant, courses draw on Somali case material.
Vision & Mission
To be a leading program in public administration in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, recognized for academic excellence, ethical leadership, and transformative impact on governance and public service, in alignment with the University's vision of academic excellence, innovation, and sustainable development.
The Public Administration program, offered by the Department of Public Administration at Somali International University (SIU), provides high-quality education, practical training, and opportunities for research that empower students with the knowledge, skills, character, and confidence to serve effectively in public institutions, advance good governance, and contribute responsibly to Somalia's development — in fulfillment of the University's mission to prepare graduates for professional success and meaningful service to their communities and the wider world.
Our Values
Integrity
Acting honestly and transparently in the conduct of public affairs.
Credibility
Building trusted, accountable public institutions through sound administration.
Innovation
Applying creative solutions to governance and public-service challenges.
Transparency
Promoting open, accountable decision-making in public institutions.
Excellence
Pursuing the highest standards of competence in public administration.
Professionalism
Serving the public interest with skill, fairness, and responsibility.
Objectives & Learning Outcomes
- 1To provide a safe, inclusive, and technologically supported learning environment for students of public administration that promotes their success, wellbeing, and personal and professional development.
- 2To advance knowledge in public administration through excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and engagement with government institutions, civil society, and national and international partners.
- 3To develop relevant theoretical knowledge and practical administrative skills through quality coursework, field-based training, and lifelong learning in public service.
- 4To empower graduates for leadership, employability, entrepreneurship, and civic responsibility within public institutions, contributing to peacebuilding and social cohesion.
- 5To contribute to Somalia's national development and institutional rebuilding while promoting integrity, accountability, and ethical public service grounded in Somali, Islamic, and African values.
- 6To expand access to affordable, high-quality, and internationally competitive public-administration education in Somalia, offering students a credible alternative to studying abroad.
- 1Identify the major theories, concepts, and principles of public administration and apply them across different types of public organizations and departments.
- 2Explain the structure, functions, and organization of public-sector institutions and the legal and political context in which they operate.
- 3Analyze public-policy issues and formulate evidence-based recommendations across different sectors.
- 4Integrate and apply analytical skills from political science, economics, law, and management to public-sector problems.
- 5Demonstrate the practical administrative skills required to manage public-sector functions, including budgeting, personnel management, and service delivery.
- 6Conduct research in public administration using appropriate methodologies and apply findings to real-world governance challenges.
- 7Communicate effectively, in written and oral form, with diverse stakeholders in public and community settings.
- 8Work collaboratively in teams and demonstrate ethical, accountable, and socially responsible conduct in public service.
Programme Duration
- Total duration: five (5) academic years.
- Structure: ten (10) semesters, at a rate of two semesters per academic year.
- Semester length: seventeen (17) weeks, comprising the instructional period and the final-examination period that concludes it.
- Annual intake: one (1) intake per year, commencing in September.
- Academic load: 62 courses and 191 credit hours in total, distributed across the ten semesters as prescribed in the Study Plan.
- Credit-hour equivalence: one (1) credit hour equals 45 contact hours.
Admission & Graduation Requirements
Entry Criteria
- High school certificate — grade 12 or equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of Education.
- Satisfactory performance on the university entrance examination.
- Satisfactory performance in the personal interview.
- Demonstrated proficiency in English sufficient to follow instruction delivered in that language.
Required Documents
- Complete application form (the university enrolment form).
- Official high school transcript.
- Four passport-size photographs (white background).
- Application fee receipt.
- Valid medical clearance and vaccination records.
- Complete all required coursework and components.
- Pass all courses with no grades of F/Fail, NG/No Grade, or I/Incomplete.
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00.
- Pass a final comprehensive examination.
- Fulfill all academic, ethical, and attendance policies of the faculty.
Career Opportunities
Government Ministries and Agencies
Administrative officers, program coordinators, policy analysts, or departmental managers.
Local Government and Municipal Administration
Town clerks, community development officers, or local governance specialists.
Public Policy and Planning Institutions
Policy formulation, strategic planning, and program evaluation.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Project management, advocacy, humanitarian programs, and community outreach.
Public Finance and Budgeting Offices
Budget preparation, financial management, and expenditure control.
Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
Personnel administration, training, and capacity-building.
Research and Academic Institutions
Governance research or teaching public-administration-related courses.
International Organizations
The United Nations, African Union, World Bank, and similar bodies.
Public Sector Consultancy
Institutional reforms, organizational efficiency, and service-delivery improvement.
Delivery & Assessment
- Classroom-based lectures.
- Practical / skills-based sessions.
- Field practicals and site visits.
- Case studies, role plays, and group projects.
- Supervised internship in a government ministry, agency, or comparable public institution.
- The graduation research project, undertaken under academic supervision.
- Theoretical components also available virtually (online).
| Assessment Component | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Written Examinations | 80% |
| Practical / Skills Demonstrations | 10% |
| Coursework, Assignments, and Reports | 10% |
| Total | 100% |
Practical Training
Practical learning is integrated across the programme through applied sessions, site visits, and a supervised internship, so that students test administrative theory against the realities of Somali public institutions before graduation.
- Field practicals and site visits to government ministries, agencies, and local authorities.
- Case studies, role plays, and group projects drawn from public-sector practice.
- PAD 5222 Governmental Administration Internship (Semester 10) — a supervised placement in a government ministry, agency, or comparable public institution.
- The graduation research project (GRAP 5101 / GRAP 5202), undertaken under academic supervision.
Contact Information
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Somali International University (SIU)