Public Policy Administration BSPPA
The BSPPA degree has two emphasis areas and a track. The first is a public administration emphasis, 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 emphasis 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. The track area focuses explicitly on the administrative and leadership concerns of organizations in the nonprofit sector, which constitutes a growing field of research and employment opportunities.
General Education Requirements
Majors must satisfy the university and college general education requirements. Political science courses may be used to satisfy the social sciences requirement.
Degree Requirements
All BSPPA majors must complete at least 33 but no more then 51, hours in political science. The following core curriculum is required of all BSPPA majors:
| Political Science | ||
| POL SCI 1100 | Introduction to American Politics (MOTR POSC 101) | 3 |
| POL SCI 1500 | Introduction to Comparative Politics (MOTR POSC 202) | 3 |
| POL SCI 3000 | Political Analysis | 3 |
| POL SCI 2400 | Public Administration | 3 |
| POL SCI 2420 | Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| POL SCI 3940 | Public Affairs Internship | 1-6 |
| POL SCI 4950 | Senior Seminar in Political Science | 3 |
| ECON 1001 | Principles of Microeconomics (MOTR ECON 102) | 3 |
| ECON 1002 | Principles of Macroeconomics (MOTR ECON 101) | 3 |
| Total Hours | 25-30 | |
In addition, students must provide a demonstration of computer proficiency through one of the following:
- INFSYS 1800 Computers and Information Systems, extension courses, or other study approved by the BSPPA 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 SCI 1100 | Introduction to American Politics (MOTR POSC 101) | 3 |
| POL SCI 1500 | Introduction to Comparative Politics (MOTR POSC 202) | 3 |
| POL SCI 3000 | Political Analysis | 3 |
| POL SCI 2400 | Public Administration | 3 |
| POL SCI 2420 | Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| POL SCI 3940 | Public Affairs Internship | 1-6 |
| POL SCI 4950 | Senior Seminar in Political Science | 3 |
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Explain the characteristics and impact of policy-making institutions and systems, including national, state, and local governments.
- Demonstrate an understanding of administrative systems and processes.
- Apply various methods, tools, and sources to answer important management and policy questions.
- Analyze policies, programs, and relevant issues, formulate evidence-based recommendations, and communicate them with clarity and coherence.
- Apply public policy administration knowledge and engage in real-world problem solving through an internship.
- Plan, execute, and defend a major research project.
Sample Four Year Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| INTDSC 10031 | 1 | POL SCI 1500 | 3 |
| POL SCI 1100 | 3 | ECON 1001 | 3 |
| CORE - Math Proficiency | 3 | ENGL 1100 | 3 |
| CORE - Communicating Proficiency | 3 | EXPLORE - Math and Science | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Math and Life Sciences | 3 | EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Humanities | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| POL SCI 2400 | 3 | POL SCI 2420 | 3 |
| ECON 1002 | 3 | Policy Concentration course2 | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Humanities and Fine Arts | 3 | CORE - Information Literacy | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Math and Sciences | 3 | EXPLORE - Humanities and Fine Arts | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | EXPLORE - Social Science | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| POL SCI 3000 | 3 | Policy Concentration Courses2 | 6 |
| Policy Concentration Course2 | 3 | ENGL 3100 | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 | Elective or minor | 6 |
| Elective or minor | 6 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| POL SCI 3940 | 3 | POL SCI 4950 | 3 |
| Pollicy Concentration Course2 | 3 | Political Science Policy Course | 3 |
| POL SCI elective | 3 | Elective or minor | 9 |
| Elective or minor | 6 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 121 | |||
- 1
INTDSC 1003 is required only for first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 college credits.
- 2
Public Policy Concentration courses taken outside of Political Science do not count toward the minimum of 33 credit hours in Political Science.
Please Note: This plan is an example of what a four year plan could look like for a typical student. Placement exam scores in math as well as the completion of coursework may change the plan. It should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester. All requirements are subject to change.
Nonprofit Track
In addition to the core curriculum requirements for all BSPPA majors, students in the nonprofit academic track are required to complete the following courses:
| POL SCI 3420 | Public and Nonprofit Personnel Management | 3 |
| POL SCI 3440 | Public and Nonprofit Budgeting | 3 |
| POL SCI 3700 | Nonprofit Organizations and Social Equity | 3 |
| POL SCI 3710 | Nonprofits, Civil Society and Volunteerism | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
In addition, the Public Affairs Internship (POL SCI 3940) required for the BSPPA must be conducted through a nonprofit organization.
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.