B.A. in Public Affairs
The Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs is an interdisciplinary, professional degree for individuals who desire to work in, lead, and manage public organizations.
Options:
- Political Science
- Public Administration
The Political Science option provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to plan and implement programs that address the vexing problems confronting American communities; think critically, ethically, and practically about the purposes of public policy and how those policies can be improved; and develop the understandings needed to work collaboratively with multiple sectors and diverse interests.
The Public Administration option prepares students to implement and oversee policies at all levels of city, county, state and national governments. Students will be committed to creating innovative programs, delivering efficient and equitable services, and improving the lives of the people in their communities. Public administration is the work of developing and managing programs in government and nonprofit organizations and combines the skills of management with the ideals of American democracy.
The following Focus Areas are available:
- Focus: Accounting and Budgeting
- Focus: General Management
- Focus: Human Resources Management
- Focus: Media Communications
- Focus: Research and Analysis
Cade Russell, B.A. Public Affairs
2021 Newman Civic Fellow
“Each and every one of us has the capability to make a difference. I believe that individuals are more inclined to work harder for a cause that they believe in. I encourage students that are interested in serving in this fellowship to find something that they are passionate about and go all in.”
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate an ability to analyze and critique a variety of approaches to understanding public policies.
- Students will demonstrate an ability to apply knowledge and understanding of different views regarding culture and society.
- Students will integrate public administration-oriented research into their understanding and practice of public administration.
Department Mission: The mission of the Department of History and Political Science is to support discipline-specific degree programs as well as the University’s general education program.
Degree Program Mission: The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration is designed to provide students with the organizational, administrative, and time management skills to excel in public service and nonprofit sectors.