Academics
Undergraduate Program
1. Public Administration
The undergraduate program in Public Administration commenced enrollment in 1998, which has since evolved into a prominent training hub for administrative management talent in Hainan, demonstrating a strong faculty, distinct discipline characteristics and an expanding influence. Recognized as a provincial first-class undergraduate program construction site in 2019 and subsequently as a national first-class undergraduate program construction site in June 2022, the Public Administration program is actively advancing comprehensive reforms. It aims to cultivate high-level, multifaceted administrative management professionals who can effectively contribute to national strategies and the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port.
The program boasts notable strengths and unique research focuses in areas such as local governance, social security, and South China Sea strategy and management. With a faculty comprising 28 dedicated professors, including 11 distinguished professors and 22 individuals holding doctoral degrees, the Administrative Management major is well-equipped to provide quality education. Furthermore, 13 faculty members possess overseas study experience, one professor has been recognized as a provincial outstanding talent, three as provincial leading talents, and an additional 13 as provincial top-notch talents. Moreover, three faculty members are part of the provincial “515 Talent Project.” The faculty’s expertise extends beyond academia, with 17 national-level projects under their leadership. Additionally, 13 individuals serve as consultants for various governmental departments, while several teachers have gained practical experience through government postings.
The curriculum emphasizes the enhancement of students’ leadership abilities, research skills, and civil service competencies. Key courses include Political Science Principles, Administrative Management, Civil Service System, Public Economics, Administrative Law and Administrative Litigation Law, Contemporary Chinese Government and Politics, Introduction to Public Policy, Non-Profit Organization Management, Organizational Behavior, Public Sector Performance Evaluation, and E-Government. These courses provide a solid foundation in the field and equip students with practical skills, laying the groundwork for their development into high-level, versatile administrative management professionals.
2. Land Resources Management
The Land Resource Management major was established in 1993 and has undergone several transformations. It began offering a four-year undergraduate degree in 2000, and in 2019 it started admitting academic postgraduates. In 2022, a new direction in National Land and Spatial Planning was introduced, which can be pursued as a continuous training program for both undergraduate and graduate levels. Over the past three decades, the Land Resource Management major at Hainan University has flourished into a vital platform for cultivating talent in the land industry, not only in Hainan Province but also nationwide. It serves as a crucial base for conducting scientific research in the field of land systems.
In terms of its development, this major stands out as a flagship program in Hainan Province, recognized as a first-class undergraduate major at the provincial level, and the sole designated major of its kind in the region. It plays a pivotal role in supporting the work of the Hainan Provincial Land Society. The major offers two specializations: Land Resource Management and National Land and Spatial Planning. It equips students with expertise in these fields and has become a significant source of skilled professionals in natural resource management in Hainan Province. Graduates are highly competitive in the job market and possess strong foundations for pursuing higher degrees or studying abroad. The teaching staff of the major currently consists of 15 full-time faculty members, including 7 professors, 5 associate professors, 2 lecturers, and 1 laboratory technician. The majority hold doctoral degrees, and 10 have been bestowed with provincial-level talent titles. Over the past five years, they have led nine national-level projects and more than 30 provincial-level research projects, securing research funding exceeding 20 million yuan. Many of the faculty members have extensive experience in policy consulting for various governmental departments within the province, showcasing their exceptional teaching and research capabilities. The major also boasts numerous scientific research practice platforms.
The core courses of the major cover a wide range of topics, including Principles of Management, Land Resources Science, Land Management, Land Economics, Land Law, Cadastral Management, Land Information Systems, Real Estate Appraisal, Principles of National Land and Spatial Planning, National Land and Spatial Function Zoning, National Land and Spatial Planning Design, National Land and Spatial Information Engineering, Land Remediation Planning and Design, Urban Planning Principles, and a series of professional practice internships.
3. Public Relations
Hainan University is among the 18 universities in China that offer a major in Public Relations. The undergraduate program in Public Relations was initially established as the Public Relations and Secretarial major in 1995 at the former South China Tropical Agricultural University. It evolved from a vocational program in 2000 to a higher vocational program lasting three years. Subsequently, it transitioned to the undergraduate program in Administrative Management with a specialization in Public Relations in 2002 (at a time when the Ministry of Education’s professional catalog did not yet include Public Relations as a standalone major). Finally, in 2006, the Ministry of Education approved the establishment of the undergraduate program in Public Relations (designated as a special major in Public Administration). The major was selected for featured undergraduate major construction in Hainan Province in 2009. The major offers several esteemed courses, such as the Hainan Province Fine Course “Principles of Public Relations,” the online network fine course of Hainan Province “Public Relations Strategy and Planning,”
and the university-level network fine course “Document Writing.” Throughout its 27-year history, the major has trained nearly 2,400 professionals in Public Relations for the country. Currently, there are 82 students enrolled in the Public Relations program, belonging to the 2020 cohort. Previously, the major had 10 full-time teachers, including 4 doctoral degree holders, 5 master’s degree holders, and 1 bachelor’s degree holder. Among them were 4 professors and 6 associate professors. However, due to the university’s emphasis on political disciplines, three teachers were transferred to the School of Marxism in 2021, and one was transferred out of Hainan University. In 2023, one teacher moved to the International Communication College of Hainan University. At present, there are 4 full-time teachers in the program, including 1 professor and 3 associate professors.
The core courses of the major encompass Principles of Public Relations, Public Relations Strategy and Planning, Public Relations Language and Expression, Public Relations Investigation and Evaluation, Crisis Management in Public Relations, Public Relations Practice and Case Studies, Communication Studies, Journalism Practice, and more.
