SPEA

Degree awarded: Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs (B.S.P.A.) 

Academic Features: 
The B.S.P.A. is a 120 credit hour degree program of the IUN School of Public & Environmental Affairs and Political Science.  The program prepares students for professional positions in public service and provides skills, knowledge, and general education for individuals already in public or nonprofit service occupations.  Students in this program select one of five fields of concentration including management, criminal justice, health services administration, environmental policy and specialized study in public and environmental affairs.  Degree requirements are as follows:

General Education:

• Communications (3 courses)
• Quantitative Methods (3 courses)
• Social Sciences (6 courses)
• Arts and Humanities (5 courses)
• Natural Sciences (2 to 4 courses)

Public Affairs Core:

• V170 Introduction to Public Affairs
• V264 Urban Structure and Policy
• E 272 Introduction to Environmental Science
• V263  Public Management
• V372 Government Finance and Budgets
• V376 Law and Public Policy 

Concentrations:

• Criminal Justice (6 courses)
• Management (6 courses)
• Health Services Administration (6 courses)
• Environmental Policy (6 courses)
• Public and Environmental Affairs (specialized) (6 courses)
• Environmental Policy (6 courses) 

Electives:

• A sufficient number of additional courses to bring the total to a minimum of 120 credit hours.

Program Special Features: 
Students in this program select one of five fields of concentration including management, criminal justice, health services administration, environmental policy and specialized study in public and environmental affairs.  The concentration in public and environmental affairs allows students to develop an individualized focus in public affairs with the approval of an advisor.  Examples of individualized concentrations include, public law and security management.  Students may also participate in a public affairs internship through the divisions Public and Nonprofit Service Internship Program.  The division is part of the Indiana University system School of Public & Environmental Affairs (SPEA).  SPEA is a professional school operating programs on six Indiana University campuses.  SPEA is the largest school of public affairs in the country.

Faculty Features:
You will learn from an outstanding faculty with experience working in the fields of public affairs or law.  The faculty is committed to preparing professionals who will make a difference.

A few frequently asked questions: 
Does the program meet the needs of part-time students?  Yes, the program and scheduling of courses is designed to meet the needs of part-time as well as full-time students. Will I have the opportunity to relate classroom instruction to real-world problems?  Absolutely, the faculty has real-world professional experience, and that experience is recognized in the quality of classroom instruction.  Also, the public affairs internships offered by the division are outstanding, with opportunities available for internships in all areas of concentration.  What are some specific career areas students have entered after graduation?   Examples of the fields our students have entered after graduation include public and nonprofit management, hospital administration, long-term care administration, security management, environmental policy-related work, and human services administration (some of these fields may require additional training).

Career Options: 
The faculty is committed to helping students develop productive and rewarding careers.  Faculty and staff cooperate to provide students with employment contacts.  The division holds two career days each year, both of which are excellent opportunities to learn about careers in the public and nonprofit service.  The outstanding internship program and the network of  SPEA alumni also contribute to the career development of students.  In addition to providing knowledge useful to those seeking to enter professional positions in public affairs, the program is also an excellent general education for those students planning graduate study in government, public affairs, or law. 

Academic Societies: 
The division maintains chapters of Alpha Phi Sigma, the national criminal justice honor society, and Pi Alpha Alpha, the national honor society for schools of public affairs and administration.

Phone Numbers: Division 219-980-6695; fax: 219-980-6737