The Bachelor of Public and Municipal Administration (BPMA) prepares professionals for careers in the public, non-profit, and private sectors through an intellectual and practical interdisciplinary approach. The program equips prospective managers with skills to adapt to changing demands across different sectors.
Program Highlights
- Program code: 6B04101 — Public and Municipal Administration
- Duration: 4 years (full-time)
- Total credits: 146 KIMEP credits / 240 ECTS
- Language of instruction: English
- Department: Department of Public Administration, College of Social Sciences
- Two majors offered: Public Policy and Sustainability; Financial Management and Public Audit
- Five minors offered by the Department of Public Administration
Learning Objectives
The BPMA program ensures graduates have a satisfactory level of knowledge of:
- The concepts and theories of public administration, public policy, and public management
- The nature of the public sector and its relationship to government, civil society, and the marketplace
- Public finance: taxation, expenditure, governmental budgeting, and financial management
- Public organizations and the impact of structure, culture, and leadership on performance
- Areas of public policy specialization including natural resources, urban development, social policy, and environmental policy
Students also acquire cognitive, interpersonal, and self-management skills to:
- Communicate ideas and information clearly and effectively in oral and written English
- Make appropriate use of information technology for research, analysis, and presentation
- Work effectively with others in pursuit of common objectives
Accreditation and Recognition
KIMEP University holds international accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and is recognized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MSHE) of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Department of Public Administration is a member of:
- NASPAA — Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (global standard for public service education)
- NAPSIPAG — Network of Asia-Pacific Schools and Institutes of Public Administration and Governance
- NISPAcee — Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe
About the Department of Public Administration
The Department of Public Administration (DPA), housed within the College of Social Sciences, specializes in preparing future and current public sector leaders for the rigors of modern public management and policy implementation. The Department offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, and maintains strong links with government ministries, Akimats, international development organizations, and state-owned enterprises across Kazakhstan.
Contact
Department of Public Administration, College of Social Sciences, KIMEP University
4 Abai Avenue, Office 137, 050010 Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan
Tel: +7 (727) 270-43-40 (ext. 3478) | Email: famagoh@kimep.kz
Program Coordinator: css_coordinator@kimep.kz
Degree Requirements Summary
| Component | KIMEP Credits | ECTS | Notes |
| General Education Requirements | 36 | 56 | GEN courses — see GE section of Catalog |
| Program Foundation Requirements | 66 | 108 | Required + Elective courses |
| Program Required Courses | 42 | 68 | Major required + major electives |
| Final Attestation | 2 | 8 | Thesis or Final Attestation Exam |
| Total Required for Graduation | 146 | 240 |
Program Foundation Requirements — 66 Credits / 108 ECTS
Required Courses (45 KIMEP credits / 73 ECTS)
| Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Prerequisites |
| GEN/CSS2205 | Applied AI for Human and Social Sciences | 3 | 5 | GEN1103 or GEN1203 |
| CSS2201 | Introduction to Research Methods for the Social Sciences | 3 | 3 | None |
| GEN1201 | Mathematics for Business and Economics | 3 | 5 | |
| ECN2103 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 | 5 | All required GE English courses |
| PAF3531/ECN4121 | Public Finance / Public Economics | 3 | 5 | PAD2111, ECN2103 |
| ECN2181 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 | 5 | None |
| ECN2102 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | 5 | ENG0004 |
| PAD2700 | Fundamentals of Sociology | 3 | 5 | ENG0004 |
| ECN1101 | Introduction to Economics | 3 | 5 | ENG0004 |
| IRL2512 | Fundamentals of International Relations | 3 | 5 | GEN1100 and GEN1120 |
| POL2001 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 | 5 | |
| PAD2111 | Fundamentals of Public Administration | 3 | 5 | None |
| JMC2605 | Media and Society | 3 | 5 | None |
| ENG1110 | Academic Speaking | 3 | 5 | |
| ENG1121 | Academic Reading and Writing II | 3 | 5 | |
| Total | 45 | 73 |
Foundation Electives — Group A: Public Administration Area (9 credits / 15 ECTS — choose 3)
| Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Prerequisites |
| PAD3523 | Human Resource Management | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105 |
| PAD4443 | Public Management | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105 |
| PAD4520 | Program Evaluation | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105 |
| PAD3521/PAD5202/GEN/ASC2113.3 | Global Sustainable Development Governance | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or ECN2103 or ECN1101 |
| PAD3522 | Decision-Making | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105 |
| PAD3533 | Organization Theory and Design | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105 |
| PAD3549 | NGO Management | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105 |
| PAF4534 | Public Budgeting | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105 |
| ECN2102 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | 5 | ECN2103 |
| PAD4541 | Gender and Public Policy | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105 |
| PAD4442 | Comparative Public Administration | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105 |
| PAD4702 | CSR and International Development | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105 |
| PAD3541 | Environmental Management and Natural Resources | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105 |
| PAD4501 | Public Sector Digitalization | 3 | 5 | None |
| Total (choose 9 credits) | 9 | 15 |
Foundation Electives — Group B: KIMEP-wide Electives (12 credits / 20 ECTS)
Students may choose courses toward a minor or from the list including PAF2211, PAD3524, PAD3541, PAD3544, ECN/IRL4000, programming courses, statistics courses, language courses, and any KIMEP-wide elective.
Program Required Courses — 42 Credits / 68 ECTS
Major Required Courses (21 KIMEP credits / 33 ECTS)
| Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Prerequisites |
| PAD4553 | Local Government (Municipal Management in GOSO) | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD3542 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAF3511 | Fundamentals of Public Financial Management | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 or ECN2103 or ECN1101 |
| PAD2430.3 | Research, Reading, Writing (Professional Foreign Language) | 3 | 5 | None |
| CSS/GEN2204 | AI Ethics and Governance | 3 | 5 | CSS/GEN2205 |
| CSS3101 | Research Methods for the Social Sciences | 3 | 4 | CSS2201 and AI courses |
| CSS3201/PAD3115 | Professional Internship in Public Administration | 3 | 4 | |
| Total | 21 | 33 |
Major Electives: Public Policy and Sustainability (21 credits / 35 ECTS — choose 7)
| Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Prerequisites |
| PAD4443 | Public Management | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD3536 | Organizational Behavior | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD3540 | Governance and Development | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD3543 | Urban Development | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD3550 | NGOs and Development | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD3544 | Law and Development | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD4441/IRL4521/PAD5203 | Energy Policy | 3 | 5 | ECN2103 or ECN1101 |
| PAD4542 | Current Issues in Public Policy and Administration | 3 | 5 | PAD3542 |
| PAD4003 | Public Policy of Kazakhstan | 3 | 5 | PAD3542 |
| ECN2020 | Global Economics | 3 | 5 | ENG0004 |
| ECN4169 | Development Economics | 3 | 5 | ECN2103 |
| PAD3541 | Environmental Management and Natural Resources | 3 | 5 | |
| PAD3603/PAD5201 | Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services | 3 | 5 | |
| PAD4501 | Public Sector Digitalization | 3 | 5 | None |
Major Electives: Financial Management and Public Audit (21 credits / 35 ECTS — choose 7)
| Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Prerequisites |
| PAF4535 | Public Sector Auditing | 3 | 5 | ECN2103 or ECN1101 |
| PAF3535/ECN2201 | Fundamentals of Financial Accounting | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 |
| PAF/FIN4531 | Investment Management | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 |
| PAF4533 | Financial Management in the Public Sector | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 |
| PAF4536 | Project Appraisal and Management | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 |
| PAF4532.4 | Managerial Accounting | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 |
| PAF/ECN3532 | Government and Business | 3 | 5 | ECN2103 |
| PAF4532 | Basics of Fiscal Governance | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 |
| ACC4203 | Auditing | 3 | 5 | See BCB catalog |
| PAD4543 | Selected Topics in Financial Management and Public Audit | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 |
| PAD4501 | Public Sector Digitalization | 3 | 5 | None |
Final Attestation — 2 Credits / 8 ECTS
| Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Prerequisites |
| PAD4559 or PAD4999 | Thesis or Final Attestation Exam | 2 | 8 | CSS3101 Research Methods |
| Total | 2 | 8 |
Sample Study Plan (4 Years)
Below is a recommended semester-by-semester plan. Students may take courses in any order as long as prerequisites are met.
| Year / Semester | Sample Courses | Credits | ECTS |
| Year 1 — Fall | History of Kazakhstan; Academic Reading & Writing I; Critical Thinking; Digital/AI Fundamentals; Kazakh/Russian Language I; GE Elective 1; Physical Education | 20 | 32 |
| Year 1 — Spring | Academic Speaking; Academic Reading & Writing II; Kazakh/Russian Language 2; Cultural Studies; Math for Business; GE Elective 2; Physical Education | 19 | 29 |
| Year 2 — Fall | Principles of Microeconomics; Principles of Macroeconomics; Fundamentals of International Relations; Fundamentals of Public Administration; Applied AI for Human & Social Sciences; Introduction to Philosophy | 18 | 28 |
| Year 2 — Spring | Local Government; Introduction to Statistics; Individual, Society & Politics; Foundation Elective 1 (Group A); Introduction to Economics; Intro to Research Methods | 18 | 31 |
| Year 3 — Fall | Research, Reading, Writing; Foundation Elective 2; Foundation Elective 3; KIMEP-wide Elective 1; Public Finance/Public Economics; Major Elective 1; Career Dev & Success | 18 | 28 |
| Year 3 — Spring | Fundamentals of Sociology; AI Ethics & Governance; Public Policy Analysis; Fundamentals of Public Financial Mgmt; Major Elective 2; Introduction to Political Theory; Career Dev & Success | 18 | 29 |
| Year 4 — Fall | KIMEP-wide Elective 2; Major Elective 3; Major Elective 4; Major Elective 5; Research Methods for the Social Sciences; Media and Society | 18 | 29 |
| Year 4 — Spring | Thesis or Final Attestation; Major Elective 6; Major Elective 7; Professional Internship; KIMEP-wide Elective 3; KIMEP-wide Elective 4 | 17 | 32 |
| Total | 146 | 240 |
The BPMA program offers two majors and five minors, all highly relevant to successful careers in government, international organizations, business, and the third sector.
Major 1: Public Policy and Sustainability
This major prepares students with the skills and competencies to develop and implement policies addressing governance and sustainability issues at national and global levels. Graduates pursue careers in:
- Government agencies at national, regional, and local levels
- Big 4 consulting firms (Deloitte, Ernst & Young, PWC, KPMG)
- International agencies: IMF, World Bank, UN, ADB
- Business organizations requiring policy and sustainability expertise
Major 2: Financial Management and Public Audit
This major provides the knowledge and skills to make financial policy decisions and become effective financial managers in public and business organizations. Graduates pursue careers as:
- Financial analysts, financial advisors, and budget analysts
- Financial managers in the private sector and government
- Professionals at Big 4 consulting firms
- Employees of the World Bank, United Nations, National Bank of Kazakhstan
Minors Offered by the Department of Public Administration
KIMEP students from any major may take one of the following minors offered by the Department of Public Administration (12 KIMEP credits / 20 ECTS each). No course may simultaneously count toward both a major and a minor.
Minor 1: Public and Municipal Administration (12 credits / 20 ECTS)
Any four of the following courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Prerequisites |
| PAD4443 | Public Management | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD4542 | Current Issues in Public Policy and Administration | 3 | 5 | |
| PAD3542 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 | 5 | |
| PAD3511 | Fundamentals of Public Financial Management | 3 | 5 | |
| PAD4533 | Local Government (Municipal Government in GOSO) | 3 | 5 |
Minor 2: Financial Management and Public Audit (12 credits / 20 ECTS)
Any four of the following courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Prerequisites |
| PAF4533 | Financial Management in the Public Sector | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 or equivalent |
| PAF4535 | Public Sector Auditing | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 or equivalent |
| PAF4532.4 | Managerial Accounting | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 or equivalent |
| PAF4536 | Project Appraisal and Management | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 or equivalent |
| PAF4537 | Audit and Corporate Governance | 3 | 5 | PAF3511 or equivalent |
Minor 3: Sustainable Development Governance (12 credits / 20 ECTS)
Any four of the following courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Prerequisites |
| PAD4443 | Public Management | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD3540 | Governance and Development | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD3521/PAD5202/GEN/ASC2113.3 | Global Sustainable Development Governance | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD3117/PAD5206 | Climate Change Governance | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD3543 | Urban Development | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD3550 | NGOs and Development | 3 | 5 | PAD2111 |
| PAD4441 | Energy Policy | 3 | 5 | ECN2103 or ECN1101 |
| PAD4542 | Current Issues in Public Policy and Administration | 3 | 5 | PAD3542 |
| PAD4003 | Public Policy of Kazakhstan | 3 | 5 | PAD3542 |
| PAD3541 | Environmental Management and Natural Resources | 3 | 5 | |
| PAD3603/PAD5201 | Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services | 3 | 5 |
Minor 4: Public Press Office (12 credits / 20 ECTS)
Required course (3 credits): JMC4709 Media Relations
Elective courses (choose 3, 9 credits):
| Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS |
| JMC2615 | Beginning Media Writing | 3 | 5 |
| JMC3623 | Broadcast & Online Journalism | 3 | 5 |
| JMC4703 | Crisis Communication | 3 | 5 |
| JMC3709 | Social Media Influencers | 3 | 5 |
Minor 5: Sociology (12 credits / 20 ECTS)
Any four of the following courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Prerequisites |
| SOC3101 | Urban Policy and Local Governance | 3 | 5 | GEN/PAD2700 |
| SOC3102 | Understanding and Managing Public Organizations | 3 | 5 | GEN/PAD2700 |
| SOC3104 | Civil Society and Public Policy | 3 | 5 | GEN/PAD2700 |
| SOC4004 | Inequality and Public Policy | 3 | 5 | GEN/PAD2700 |
Program Foundation — Required Courses
PAD2111 — Fundamentals of Public Administration (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: None
Provides students with basic concepts and models of public administration. Covers basic theories of public administration, public policy analysis, and certain tools of new public administration. Replaces PA1513 Introduction to Public Administration.
ECN2103 — Principles of Microeconomics (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: All required GE English courses
Provides students with a basic understanding of how markets work, including supply and demand, market structures, market failure, and the role of government. Students will understand and explain basic problems in microeconomics and correctly apply microeconomic concepts to current economic issues.
ECN2102 — Principles of Macroeconomics (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: ECN2103
Provides basic understanding of a typical market-based economy from society’s point of view. Covers national income analysis, income and employment theory, economic fluctuations, the economic role of government, money and banking, economic growth, and international economics.
PAF3531/ECN4121 — Public Finance / Public Economics (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111, ECN2103
Examines the economics of the public sector, government budget influences on distribution, resource allocation, stability and growth. Covers public goods, externalities, social insurance, and the role of government. Students use models to analyze real-world programs and policies.
ECN1101 — Introduction to Economics (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: ENG0004
Develops economic concepts with applications from Kazakhstan and elsewhere. Surveys both microeconomics (how markets coordinate choices) and macroeconomics (national and world economy including GDP, growth, unemployment, inflation, and international trade).
PAD2700 — Fundamentals of Sociology (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: ENG0004
Provides the background needed to analyze social structures and institutions. Covers sociological perspectives, theoretical paradigms, and key concepts. Emphasizes building a comprehensive understanding of sociology as an academic discipline.
IRL2512 — Fundamentals of International Relations (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: GEN1100 and GEN1120
Introductory course acquainting students with theories and concepts of international relations. Examines the emergence and evolution of the modern world-system and the roles of states, non-state actors, and institutions.
GEN/CSS2205 — Applied AI for Human and Social Sciences (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: GEN1103 or GEN1203
Examines the application of AI and data-driven methods to research and problem-solving in the human and social sciences. Covers AI tools for analyzing texts, surveys, social media, and interviews. Emphasizes research ethics, data privacy, and responsible interpretation.
CSS2201 — Introduction to Research Methods for the Social Sciences (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: None
Introduces foundational principles of social science research design, including research questions, theoretical frameworks, data collection strategies, and the logic of inference. Equips students with a critical lens for subsequent program coursework.
GEN1201 — Mathematics for Business and Economics (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: ENG0004
Develops basic concepts of mathematical analysis used in economics and business with emphasis on differentiation and integration of single real-variable functions and matrix algebra. Applications to economics, business, and social science are studied.
Program Foundation — Elective Courses (Group A: Public Administration Area)
PAD3523 — Human Resource Management (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105
Provides an understanding of the principles and functions of human resource management and personnel administration. Reviews how organizations handle HRM issues, helping future managers create policies to ensure effective use of human resources.
PAD4443 — Public Management (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105
Exposes participants to current trends and developments in public management theory and practice. Covers public organizations, the reinventing government movement, and how public managers interact with actors in the political process. Specific focus on state and local government in Kazakhstan.
PAD4520 — Program Evaluation (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105
Provides an overview of tools and techniques to measure the activities, effectiveness, and efficiency of programs. Primary objective is to provide feedback to decision-makers. Students develop and conduct a professional project evaluation of existing national and international projects.
PAD3521 — Global Sustainable Development Governance (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or ECN1101 or ECN2103
Explores sustainable development at local, national, and international scales. Links ecology, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and resilience with economic development, natural resource exploitation, production, and consumption. Covers policy tools for environmental decision-making.
PAD3522 — Decision-Making (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105
Presents decision-making as a crucial part of strategic management. Explains the complex process of decision-making with its constituent components and analytical tools. Covers how decision-making pervades the entire administrative organization and planning process.
PAD3533 — Organization Theory and Design for Public Organizations (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105
Focuses on classical and modern aspects of organizations and the role of managers as leaders and facilitators of change. Provides theoretical concepts relevant to organizational design and management issues and opportunities to apply theories to future organizational settings.
PAD3549 — NGO Management (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105
Equips students with NGO management theories, models, tools, and templates to generate ideas and shape opportunities. Covers governance and management of nonprofit organizations, leadership, fundraising, earned income strategies, advocacy, diversity, and social movements.
PAF4534 — Public Budgeting (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105
Covers public agency budgeting in the decision-making process and its impact on policy making. Addresses resource allocation, budget formats, the budget cycle, social equity, budget analysis methodology, and theories of budgeting.
PAD4541 — Gender and Public Policy (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105
Looks at negative and positive effects of public policy on gender relations in the family and the labor market. Discusses reasons for gender differences in economic outcomes and policies to promote gender equity. Comparative perspective drawing from developed, transitional, and developing countries.
PAD4442 — Comparative Public Administration (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105
Introduces comparative aspects of contemporary public administration systems in selected countries. Students explore how various countries deal with multiple dichotomies in public administration and learn about impacts of politics, economics, culture, and environment on public institutions.
PAD4702 — CSR and International Development (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or PAD2700 or FIN2105
Examines corporate social responsibility, focusing on the interplay between business and governments, intergovernmental institutions, investors, and NGOs. Covers global initiatives on CSR and CSR in Kazakhstan. Seminar format with active class participation.
PAD3541 — Environmental Management and Natural Resources (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111
Provides critical frameworks for understanding problems in natural resource decision-making and use. An interdisciplinary approach to managing natural resources allows students to assess information, expertise, and value-judgments needed in resource decisions.
PAD4501 — Public Sector Digitalization (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: None
An interdisciplinary seminar examining how information and communication technologies are deployed by governments within their functions, activities, and processes. Uses case studies organized around public management themes covering digital transformation, ethics, legal ramifications, and citizen-state interactions.
Major Required Courses
PAD4553 — Local Government (Municipal Management in GOSO) (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111
Provides an understanding of the political, institutional, and legal framework of local government activities. Introduces the concept of power decentralization with a focus on the process of decentralization in Kazakhstan and the problems and constraints local governments encounter.
PAD3542 — Public Policy Analysis (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111
Presents a multi-disciplinary, multi-theoretical approach to understanding public policies in areas such as health care, education, social welfare, crime, defense, environment, and economic policy. Focuses on systematic analysis of policy alternatives, factors, and processes involved in policy development.
PAF3511 — Fundamentals of Public Financial Management (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111
Provides a conceptual understanding of financial decision-making in public sector enterprises. Foundations of financial decision-making rooted in current theory and economic conditions. Covers administration of Government’s financial affairs, allocation, investment, control of public funds, and public budgeting.
PAD2430.3 — Research, Reading, Writing (Professional Foreign Language) (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: None
Provides an understanding of how to work at different stages of a research project and how to manage complexity. Introduces students to the nature and objectives of research, guides students through planning, organizing, drafting, and writing reports, and facilitates development of effective writing skills.
CSS/GEN2204 — AI Ethics and Governance (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CSS/GEN2205
Examines ethical and governance dimensions of artificial intelligence applications in the social sciences and public sector. Prerequisite: Applied AI for Human and Social Sciences.
CSS3101 — Research Methods for the Social Sciences (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CSS2201 and AI courses
Equips students with quantitative methods and computational tools for social science practice. Students develop proficiency in statistical software and real social science datasets in contexts of policy, public administration, economics, and political science. Builds on CSS2201.
CSS3201/PAD3115 — Professional Internship in Public Administration (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111
Provides students with experiential learning in public agencies and non-profit organizations. Available in a wide range of public agencies and non-profit organizations. Internships are tailored to suit students’ needs for developing professional skills and acquiring work experience.
Major in Public Policy and Sustainability — Elective Courses
PAD3536 — Organizational Behavior for Public Organizations (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111
Introduces students to major concepts of organization theory and behavior. Examines theories explaining and predicting employee behavior in organizational contexts. Primary focus on leadership, decision-making skills, power, job satisfaction, and motivation in intercultural environments.
PAD3540 — Governance and Development (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111
Introduces theoretical foundations of development and governance, acquainting students with key schools of thought, debates, approaches, and issues. Bridges theoretical discourses with practical examples. Develops a broad understanding of key concepts, contexts, issues, and challenges in development and governance.
PAD3543 — Urban Development (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111
Provides an overview of politics and policy-making for large cities and metropolitan areas. Covers governmental strategies of reform, land-use planning, management of growth, transportation and environment, citizen participation, and development of local democratic institutions.
PAD3550 — NGOs and Development (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111
Critically examines the expanding role of NGOs and their activities, and presents significant management challenges facing NGOs today. Examines development of the NGO sector, frameworks for understanding NGOs, stakeholder relationships, and key management functions.
PAD3544 — Law and Development (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111
Examines the relationship between law, governance, and development. Explores how legal frameworks shape development outcomes, regulatory capacity, and institutional reform across different country contexts.
PAD4003 — Public Policy of Kazakhstan (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD3542
Discusses social prerequisites for and governmental strategies of national development, with reference to managerial versus liberal modernizing approaches. Examines historical, economic, and social origins of public policies in Kazakhstan including nation-building, culture, immigration policy, science, education, and industrial policy.
PAD4542 — Current Issues in Public Policy and Administration (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD3542
Provides a scholarly perspective on public policy and administration covering major theories and the political, social, and economic context in which they are developed. Connects students’ professional development with major theories and concepts of public policy and administration.
ECN2020 — Global Economics (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: None
Enables students to understand the 21st-century world economy. Covers the global distribution of world GDP, global macroeconomic interconnections, commodity trade flows, FDI flows, major country alliances, the role of multilateral institutions, and worldwide trends in inequality.
ECN4169 — Development Economics (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: ECN2103 and ECN2102
Introduces problems and features of developing economies using modern analytical quantitative approaches. Focuses on growth models, child labor, inequality and poverty, sharecropping theory, and economics of conflict.
PAD3603/PAD5201 — Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: None
Introduces concepts of biodiversity and conservation. Students gain understanding of science, theories, and concepts of conservation, diversity of plant and animal life, and aspects of the ecosystem. Examines public policy issues that would enhance biodiversity and maintain ecosystem balance.
Major in Financial Management and Public Audit — Elective Courses
PAF4535 — Public Sector Auditing (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAF3511
Introduces concepts and practices of performance auditing and assessment. Students will be able to identify causes of inefficiencies in public organizations, determine whether agencies considered alternatives at lower costs, and conduct economy, efficiency, and effectiveness assessments.
PAF3535 — Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAF3511
Introduction to concepts and uses of financial accounting information in a business environment. Students will identify information in financial statements, apply transaction analysis, prepare basic financial statements based on GAAP, and describe common financial statement relationships used in financial analysis.
PAF4531 — Investment Management (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAF3511
Theory and practice of investment decisions of individuals and fund managers. Topics include capital market theory, the efficient market hypothesis, standard institutional and investment analysis topics, and international investment topics.
PAF4533 — Financial Management in Public Sector (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAF3511
Study of theory and practice of financial management in public and private organizations. Covers analysis of financial statements, pro forma statements, cost of capital, risk and return, capital budgeting, and other indicators of financial performance.
PAF4536 — Project Appraisal and Management (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAF3511
Introduction to elementary techniques in project financial and economic analysis and their application to public sector investment projects. Covers agricultural, industrial, and infrastructural projects with emphasis on practical decision-making with limited information.
PAF4532.4 — Managerial Accounting (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAF3511
Focuses on how cost accounting helps government managers make better decisions. Topics include cost accounting for planning, strategy, decision-making, budgeting, and financial management, as well as costing of products and services in government organizations.
PAF4532 — Basics of Fiscal Governance (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAF3511
Examination of public financial management topics currently being discussed in the media, developing advanced analytical skills. Topics change depending on the global environment and the implications of government decisions on global financial and economic issues.
PAF/ECN3532 — Government and Business (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PAD2111 or ECN2103
Focuses on the role of government in supporting private entrepreneurship. Identifies industries where government production of goods and services is necessary. Covers forms of government regulation, antitrust policy, and promotion of competition.
Scholarship opportunities
There are many merit-based scholarship opportunities for Kazakhstani and international students.
While studying at KIMEP University, students may also apply for part-time positions available on the University campus.
If you would like to apply for a scholarship, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Financial Aid — Business Sector Discount
KIMEP University offers preferential institutional discounts for organizations sponsoring employees. These schemes are also available to BPMA students with employer support:
| Tier | Criteria | Coverage |
| Tier A | 3 or more full-time students from one company | 20% of tuition fees |
| Tier B | Student from a KIMEP partner company | 10% of tuition fees |
Important Notes:
- Deposits and fees (accommodation and library), as well as compulsory fees (student, medical, etc.) are NOT covered by financial aid.
- Applicant must be in official, documented employment at time of application.
- Applications submitted by letter from KIMEP’s Corporate Development Department, accompanied by an employment certificate.
- Criteria for maintaining the scholarship: minimum GPA 3.00 after each semester; retaken and withdrawn courses are not covered.
Study abroad opportunities
One- or two-semester exchange programs with many international partner universities offer students the opportunity to discover the world. Credits earned abroad count towards KIMEP degrees.
Graduate Profile
BPMA graduates are highly qualified and skilled professionals who effectively apply their skills and knowledge in public and municipal organizations and in business structures. They possess all the instruments of industrial management, strategic planning and ongoing operations planning, project implementation efficiency analysis, project work, and organizational structure development.
Career Sectors
The two BPMA majors align directly with high-demand career paths in Kazakhstan and internationally:
Public Policy and Sustainability — Career Paths
- Central government — ministries, departments, and national agencies
- Local government — Akimats, municipal departments, and regional administrations
- State-owned enterprises and national companies (Samruk-Kazyna, Kazakhtelecom, KazMunayGas, etc.)
- International organizations — UNDP, World Bank, ADB, OECD, UN agencies
- Big 4 consulting firms — Deloitte, Ernst & Young, PWC, KPMG
- NGOs, think tanks, and development organizations
- Policy and advocacy roles in the private sector
Financial Management and Public Audit — Career Paths
- Financial analysts and financial advisors in government and quasi-government organizations
- Budget analysts at national and local government levels
- Public sector auditors and internal controllers
- Financial managers in business and international organizations
- Professionals at Big 4 consulting firms in public finance and audit practice
- World Bank, United Nations, National Bank of Kazakhstan
- Investment analysts and project appraisal specialists in infrastructure and development finance
Competencies Developed
Across both majors, BPMA graduates develop:
- Policy analysis, design, and evaluation — applying systematic, evidence-based approaches to governance challenges
- Public financial management — budget analysis, fiscal governance, audit, and public expenditure evaluation
- Organizational leadership — managing public and nonprofit organizations, motivating teams, and leading change
- Urban and municipal management — local government, decentralization, and urban development
- Sustainability governance — environmental management, energy policy, and climate governance
- Digital governance — applying ICTs in government processes and digital transformation of public services
- Research and analytical skills — through CSS3101 Research Methods and the thesis or final attestation
- Professional communication — in English, and through the Professional Foreign Language course
Graduate Outcomes
Graduates of the Department of Public Administration are heads of major companies in Kazakhstan and hold top government positions in the country. Some graduates work for the World Bank and the United Nations. KIMEP’s BPMA alumni network spans government, international organizations, business, and civil society across Kazakhstan and the broader Central Asian region.