Bachelor of Science in Public Policy
and Administration
The BSPPA program provides knowledge and skills for real world application in the context of American institutions and structures.
Students learn the fundamentals of administration and policymaking in the Untied States by acquiring skills in budgeting, personnel management, accounting, and expertise in a specific policy area.
The BSPPA degree has two emphasis areas. The first is a public administration track, which emphasizes management in both the public and nonprofit sectors; it may produce a terminal degree or be a precursor to graduate training. The second is a public policy track in which a student may focus on a particular policy area and also acquire specialized analytic training and research skills, in preparation for relevant entry-level jobs in the public or the voluntary sector as well as in certain parts of the private sector.
All BSPPA majors must complete at least 33, but no more than 45, hours in political science. The following core curriculum is required of all BSPPA majors:
Political Science
1100, Introduction to American Politics
1500, Introduction to Comparative Politics
2000, Political Analysis
2400, Public Administration
2420, Introduction to Public Policy
3940, Public Affairs Internship
3950, Senior Seminar in Political Science
Econ 1001, Principles of Microeconomics
Econ 1002, Principles of Macroeconomics
Crimin 2220, Statistical Analysis in Criminology and Criminal Justice or
Sociol 3220, Sociological Statistics or
Econ 3100, Economic Statistics
In addition, students must provide a demonstration of computer proficiency through one of the following:
Bus Ad 1800, Computers and Information Systems, extension courses, or other study approved by the BSPA coordinator.
BSPPA students may take a maximum of 3 hours of political science on a satisfactory/ unsatisfactory basis, except for the following (which may not be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis): Pol Sc 1100, 1500, 2400, 2000, 2420, 3940, and 3950.
Public Administration Emphasis Area
In addition to the core curriculum requirements for all BSPPA majors, students in the public administration emphasis area are required to complete the following courses:
Pol Sc 3420, Public Personnel Management
Pol Sc 3440, Public Budgeting
Bus Ad 2400, Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
Students in the public administration emphasis area also must take two of the political science courses listed under policy and institutions courses below, as well as take at least two additional elective courses chosen from among that list or any other political science offerings.
Public Policy Emphasis Area
In addition to the core curriculum requirements for all BSPPA majors, students in the public policy emphasis area must take four political science courses, preferably selected from the policy and institutions courses listed below but which may include other political science course offerings as well.
Policy and Institutions Courses:
1450, Introduction to Labor Studies
2280, Judicial Politics and Policy
2300, State Politics
2350, Introduction to Urban Politics
3300, The American Presidency
3331, Congressional Politics
3400, Bureaucratic Politics
3430, Union Leadership and Administration
3439, Studies in Policy Formation
3450, Urban Administration
3460, The Politics of Poverty and Welfare
3480, Environmental Politics
4470, Urban Planning and Politics
4510, Comparative Public Policy and Administration
4940, Leadership and Management in Nonprofit Organizations
Students will adopt a policy concentration of at least 15 credit hours. Possible areas of specialization include, but are not limited to, environmental policy, government and business, society and the legal system, urban policy, labor studies, health care, human services, and nonprofit service provision. In fulfilling the concentration requirement, students, in consultation with the BSPPA coordinator, will select courses from related disciplines in addition to taking two more political science courses related to the policy area beyond the four political science courses already required.
Note: Students considering the B.S. in public policy and administration should see a political science adviser as early as possible to plan their program.