Programs

Bloomington Campus

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Affairs

Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs

The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs requires 120 credit hours. The Bloomington campus offers eight majors: Environmental Management, Human Resource Management, Law and Public Policy, Management, Nonprofit Management and Leadership, Policy Analysis, Public Financial Management and Public Management and Leadership.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
 
Common Ground

See https://gened.indiana.edu/approved-courses/index.html for updated requirements and a complete list of course options.

SPEA Preparation (21 cr.)

One of the following courses:

  • ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)
  • ENG-W 240 Community Service Writing (3 cr.)
  • BUS-C 204 Business Communications (3 cr.)
  • or SPEA equivalent

Oral Communication (One of the following courses)

  • SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
  • ANTH-A 122 Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.)
  • ANTH-L 208 Ways of Speaking (3 cr.)
  • BUS-C 104 Business Presentations (3 cr.)
  • COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communications (3 cr.)
  • ENG-R 228 Argumentation and Public Advocacy (3 cr.)
  • THTR-T 120 Acting I: Foundations of Acting (3 cr.)
  • or SPEA equivalent

Computer Course (One of the following courses)

  • SPEA-V 261 Technology in Public Affairs (3 cr.)
  • BUS-K 201 The Computer in Business (2-3 cr.)
  • CSCI-A 110 Introduction to Computers and Computing (3 cr.) (P: One year high school algebra or MATH-M 014)
  • CSCI-A 201 Introduction to Programming I (4 cr.) (P: Two years high school math or MATH-M 014)

Each of the following courses:

  • SPEA-K 300 Statistical Techniques or equivalent (3 cr.) (P: MATH M 014 or equivalent; R: MATH-M 118)
  • ECON-E 201 Introduction to Microeconomics (3 cr.)
  • POLS (any course) (3 cr.)
  • GEOG, SOC, ANTH (any course) (3 cr.)
General Electives

Additional courses beyond the general education, core, and major requirements are needed to complete the minimum of 120 hours required for the degree.

Public Affairs Core
(Six courses)

  • SPEA-E 183 Environment and People (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 181 US Policy and Administration (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 182 Policy-making around the World: Comparative and International Approaches (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 184 Law and Public Affairs (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 185 Management of Public Problems and Solutions (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 186 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance for Public Affairs (3 cr.)

Experiential Learning Requirement

  • SPEA-V 252 Career Development and Planning (2 cr.) or exemption (consult SPEA advisor)
  • SPEA-V 381 Professional Experience (1 cr.) or exemption (consult SPEA advisor)
  • For more information contact speacare.indiana.edu
Each B.S.P.A. student is required to complete an internship experience. Internships give students an excellent opportunity to apply classroom theory and techniques to real-life experiences. Students should register for SPEA-V 252 the first semester they are accepted into the program.

In order for an internship to satisfy the experiential learning requirement (V 381), students must:
  • Be officially admitted to the School of Public and Environmental Affairs
  • Earn a passing grade in SPEA-V 252
  • Successfully complete a minimum of one class in their major/concentration with a passing grade
  • Be in overall good academic standing
  • Receive internship approval from the Career Development Office before beginning the internship experience.

All students admitted to SPEA in the fall of 2008 and thereafter who have completed either ASCS-Q 299 College to Career III or ASCS-Q 294 College to Career I and ASCS-Q 275 Professional Portfolio Development with a grade of “S” (passing) prior to admission to SPEA are not required to complete SPEA-V 252 Career Development. These students are still required to register for and complete an internship experience. Specific enrollment instructions and authorization will be provided to these students by the Career Development Office.

Environmental Management Major

Requirements (Eleven courses)

Note: Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, significant restrictions apply, see your academic advising report (AAR).

The following six courses:

  • SPEA-E 272 Introduction to Environmental Sciences (3 cr.) (R: SPEA-E 183)
  • SPEA-E 311 Introduction to Risk Assessment and Risk Communication (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 332 Introduction to Applied Ecology (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 340 Environmental Economics and Finance (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 363 Environmental Management (3 cr.) (R: SPEA-E 183)*
  • SPEA-E 476 Environmental Law and Regulation (3 cr.) or SPEA-V 450 Environmental Law, Justice & Politics (3 cr.)

*Iterative Writing Assignment Course

Five of the following courses in Environment Management:

  • SPEA-E 260 Introduction to Water Resources (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-E 272; any biology course)
  • SPEA-E 316 Insects and the Environment (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 324 Controversies in Environmental Health (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 325 Computing for Environmental Scientists (2 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 355 Introduction to Limnology (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 375 Techniques of Environmental Science (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-E 272 or H 316)
  • SPEA-E 400 Topics in Environmental Studies (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-E 401 Human Behavior and Energy Consumption (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 410 Introduction to Environmental Toxicology (3 cr.) (P: any organismal biology course)
  • SPEA-E 411 Introduction to Groundwater Hydrology (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 412 Risk Communication (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 418 Vector-Based Geographic Information Systems (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 419 Applied Remote Sensing of the Environment (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 422 Urban Forest Management (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 431 Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 440 Wetlands Ecology and Management (4 cr.) (P: SPEA-E 272)
  • SPEA-E 442 Habitat Analysis—Terrestrial (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 443 Habitat Analysis—Aquatic (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 451 Air Pollution and Control (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 452 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 455 Limnology (4 cr.) (R: college chemistry and biology or permission of instructor)
  • SPEA-E 456 Lake and Watershed Management (3 cr.) (R: any college level biology or chemistry course)
  • SPEA-E 457 Introduction to Conservation Biology (3 cr.) (R: 300-level ecology course)
  • SPEA-E 460 Fisheries and Wildlife Management (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 461 Fisheries and Wildlife Management Laboratory (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-E 272 or H 316, any biology course, and SPEA-E 460 (can be concurrent))
  • SPEA-E 466 International and Comparative Environmental Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 476 Environmental Law and Regulation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 482 Overseas Topics in Environmental Science (0-15 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-H 316 Environmental Health Science (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-H 124 or permission of instructor)
  • SPEA-V 161 Urban Problems and Solutions (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 275 Introduction to Emergency Management (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 365 Urban Development and Planning (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 161)
  • SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 202)
  • SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 437 Public Transportation
  • SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 461 Computer Applications in Public Affairs (3 cr.) (P: BUS-K 201)
  • SPEA-V 462 Community Development (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 475 Database Management Systems (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 261, V 369, or equivalent)
  • SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.)

Human Resource Management Major

Requirements (Twelve courses)

Note: Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, significant restrictions apply, see your academic advising report (AAR).

The following four courses:

  • SPEA-V 202 Contemporary Economic Issues in Public Affairs (3 cr.) (P: ECON-E 201)
  • SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 246 Elements of Governmental and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
  • SPEA-V 373 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (3 cr.)*

*Iterative Writing Assignment Course

The following five courses:

  • SPEA-V 361 Financial Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246 or BUS-A 201) or BUS-F 300 Introduction to Financial Management (3 cr.) (P: BUS-A 200, A 201 or A 202)
  • SPEA-V 476 Compensation Strategy and Systems (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)
  • SPEA-V 477 Strategic Human Resource Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)
  • SPEA-V 478 Employment Law for Human Resource Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 184)
  • SPEA-V 479 Employee Recruitment and Selection (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)

Three of the following courses:

  • SPEA-V 336 Managing External Collaboration and Networks (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 185)
  • SPEA-V 374 Intermediate Public Budgeting and Finance (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
  • SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 432 Labor Relations in the Public Sector (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)
  • SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.)

Law and Public Policy Major

Requirements (Twelve courses)

Note: Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, significant restrictions apply, see your academic advising report (AAR). It is strongly recommended that students take SPEA-V 184 as the first course for this major.                                                                                               

The following five courses:

  • SPEA-V 202 Contemporary Economic Issues in Public Affairs (3 cr.) (P: ECON-E 201)
  • SPEA-V 339 Legal History and Public Policy (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 184)*
  • SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-K 300 or equivalent) or SPEA V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 cr.)

*Iterative writing assignment course

One of the following courses:

  • SPEA-V 405 Public Law and the Legislative Process (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 407 Public Law and Government Relations (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 184)

Two SPEA-V 450 topics courses offered by Maurer Law School Faculty:

  • SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)

Four of the following courses (at least three courses must be offered by SPEA):

  • SPEA-E 324 Controversies in Environmental Health (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 476 Environmental Law and Regulation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-H 341 Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-H 124 or permission of instructor)
  • SPEA-V 161 Urban Problems and Solutions (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 272 Terrorism and Public Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 275 Introduction to Emergency Management (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 340 Urban Government Administration (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 377 Legal Processes and Contemporary Issues in America (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 405 Public Law and the Legislative Process (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 406 Public Law and the Electoral Process (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 407 Public Law and Government Relations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 456 Topics in Public Law (3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 462 Community Development (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 476 Compensation Strategy and Systems (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)
  • SPEA-V 477 Strategic Human Resource Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)
  • SPEA-V 478 Employment Law for Human Resource Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 184)
  • SPEA-V 479 Employee Recruitment and Selection (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)
  • SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.)
  • AAAD-A 481 Racism and the Law (3 cr.)
  • ANTH-E 475 Law and Culture (3 cr.)
  • BUS-L 201 Legal Environment of Business (3 cr.) or BUS-L 203 Commercial Law I (3 cr.)
  • BUS-L 302 Sustainability Law & Policy (3 cr.)
  • BUS-L 303 Commercial Law II (3 cr.)
  • BUS-L 406 Employment Problems and the Law (3 cr.)
  • CJUS-P 370 Criminal Law (3 cr.)
  • CJUS-P 371 Criminal Procedure (3 cr.)
  • CLAS-C 308 Roman Law (3 cr.) (P: CLAS-C 102)
  • MSCH-J 300 Communications Law (3 cr.) (P: sophomore standing)
  • MCSH-J 407 Newsgathering and the Law (3 cr.) (P: MSCH-J 300 or  MSCH-H 300 or JOUR-J 300 or JOUR-H 300 with a grade of C- or higher; junior/senior standing; or permission of instructor)
  • MCSH-L 424 Telecommunications and the Constitution (3 cr.) (one of MSCH-C 207, MSCH-C 213, TEL-T 205 or TEL-T 207 with a C- or higher, or consent of the instructor)
  • PHIL-P 375 Philosophy of Law (3 cr.) (P: three credit hours of philosophy)
  • POLS-Y 304 Constitutional Law (3 cr.)
  • POLS-Y 305 Constitutional Rights and Liberties (3 cr.)
  • POLS-Y 367 International Law (3 cr.)
  • SOC-S 326 Law and Society (3 cr.) (P: three credit hours of sociology or consent of instructor)
  • SPH-R 414 Legal Aspects of Recreation (3 cr.)

Management Major

Requirements (Twelve courses)

Note: Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, significant restrictions apply, see your academic advising report (AAR).

The following five Management Foundation courses:

  • SPEA-V 202 Contemporary Economic Issues in Public Affairs (3 cr.) (P: ECON-E 201)
  • SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3 cr.)*
  • SPEA-V 246 Elements of Governmental and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
  • SPEA-V 361 Financial Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246 or BUS-A 201) or BUS-F 300 Introduction to Financial Management (3 cr.) (BUS-A 200, A 201 or A 202)
  • SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3 cr.) (R: SPEA-V 261 or BUS-K 201)

*Iterative writing assignment course

One of the following Analytical courses:

  • SPEA-V 348 Management Science (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-K 300, MATH-M 025 or MATH-M 118)
  • SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-K 300 or Equivalent)
  • SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 389 Risk and Hazard Mitigation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 202)
  • SPEA-V 441 Topics in Financial Management and Policy (3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 442 Topics in Budgeting or Cost Benefit (3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.)

Two of the following Human Resource Management courses:

  • SPEA-V 373 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 432 Labor Relations in the Public Sector (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)
  • SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 463 Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 236 and SPEA-V 336)
  • SPEA-V 476 Compensation Strategy and Systems (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)
  • SPEA-V 477 Strategic Human Resource Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)
  • SPEA-V 478 Employment Law for Human Resource Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 184)
  • SPEA-V 479 Employee Recruitment and Selection in the Public Sector (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 373)

Four of the following Major courses:

  • SPEA-E 324 Controversies in Environmental Health (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 340 Environmental Economics and Finance  (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 363 Environmental Management (3 cr.) (R: SPEA-E 183)
  • SPEA-E 476 Environmental Law and Regulation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-H 124 Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 272 Terrorism and Public Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 275 Introduction to Emergency Management (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 336 Managing External Collaboration and Networks (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 185)
  • SPEA-V 340 Urban Government Administration (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 346 Introduction to Government Accounting and Financial Reporting (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246)
  • SPEA-V 356 Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting and Reporting (3 cr.) (SPEA-V 246)
  • SPEA-V 365 Urban Development and Planning (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 374 Intermediate Public Budgeting and Finance (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
  • SPEA-V 378 Federal Government Processes (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 407 Public Law and Government Relations (3 cr.) (SPEA-V 184)
  • SPEA-V 412 Leadership Ethics (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 437 Public Transportation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 458 Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 460 Intergovernmental Relations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 462 Community Development (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.)

Nonprofit Management and Leadership Major

Requirements (Twelve courses)

Note: Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, significant restrictions apply, see your academic advising report (AAR).

The following six courses:

  • SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3 cr.)*
  • SPEA-V 246 Elements of Governmental and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
  • SPEA-V 336 Managing External Collaboration and Networks (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 185)   
  • SPEA-V 356 Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting & Reporting (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246)
  • SPEA-V 362 Nonprofit Management & Leadership (3 cr.)       

*Iterative writing assignment course


Three of the following SPEA Nonprofit Issues and Practices courses:

  • SPEA-V 434 NGO Management in Comparative Perspective (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 458 Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)                    
  • SPEA-V 450 Human Resource Management in Nonprofits (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 450 Nonprofit Resource Management (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 450 Grant Writing (3 cr.)

Three of the following courses (no more than one non-SPEA course):

  • SPEA-A 163 Art Worlds: Management, Markets, and Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-A 241 Community Engagement in the Arts (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-A 354 Arts Marketing Fundamentals (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-A 459 Public Policy and the Arts (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-A 464 The Economics and Administration of Arts Organizations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-A 483 Arts Entrepreneurship (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 363 Environmental Management (3 cr.) (R: SPEA-E 183)
  • SPEA-E 466 International and Comparative Environmental Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-H 124 Overview of the U.S. Healthcare System (3 cr.)   
  • SPEA-H 492 Global Health Issues and Management (3 cr.) 
  • SPEA-V 161 Urban Problems and Solutions (3 cr.)  
  • SPEA-V 361 Financial Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246 or BUS-A 201)
  • SPEA-V 368 Managing Government Operations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3 cr.)                               
  • SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-K300 or equivalent)
  • SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 202)         
  • SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3 cr.)                               
  • SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 cr.)                                        
  • SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)   
  • SPEA-V 463 Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 475 Database Management Systems (3 cr.)  
  • SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.)
  • INTL-I 202 Global Health and Environment (3 cr.)
  • MSCH-R 431 Public Relations for Nonprofits (3 cr.) (P: JOUR-J 321 or MSCH-R 321 with a grade of C- or better)
  • SOC-S 201 Social Problems (3 cr.)
  • SOC-S 217 Social Inequality (3 cr.)
  • SPH-R 311 Management in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism (3 cr.)
  • SWK-S 352 Social Welfare Policy and Practice (3 cr.)              

Policy Analysis Major

Requirements (Twelve courses)

Note: Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, significant restrictions apply, see your academic advising report (AAR).

Students must take whichever of the following math courses they didn’t take in the General Education requirements:

  • MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.) or approved equilavent
  • MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I (3 cr.) or MATH-M 211 Calculus I (4 cr.)

 The following six courses:

  • SPEA-V 202 Contemporary Economic Issues in Public Affairs (3 cr.) (P: ECON-E 201)
  • SPEA-V 348 Management Science (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-K 300)
  • SPEA-V 386 Case Studies for Policy Analysis (3 cr.)*
  • SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 202)
  • SPEA-V 449 Senior Policy Seminar (3 cr.)

*Iterative writing assignment course

Five courses from the following:

  • SPEA-E 324 Controversies in Environmental Health (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 340 Environmental Economics and Finance (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 401 Human Behavior and Energy Consumption (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 466 International and Comparative Environmental Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-E 476 Environmental Law and Regulation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-H 324 Health Policy (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-H 124 or permission of instructor)
  • SPEA-H 354 Health Economics (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-H 124 or permission of instructor and ECON-E 201)
  • SPEA-H 403 Pharmaceutical Industry and Public Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 161 Urban Problems and Solutions (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 246 Elements of Governmental and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
  • SPEA-V 272 Terrorism and Public Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 275 Introduction to Emergency Management (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 361 Financial Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246 or BUS-A 201)
  • SPEA-V 365 Urban Development and Planning (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 161)
  • SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3 cr.) (R: SPEA-V 261 or BUS-K 201)
  • SPEA-V 371 Financing Public Affairs (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 202)
  • SPEA-V 374 Intermediate Public Budgeting & Finance (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
  • SPEA-V 378 Policy Process in the United States (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 405 Public Law and the Legislative Process (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 406 Public Law and the Electoral Process (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 407 Public Law and Government Relations (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 184)
  • SPEA-V 412 Leadership Ethics (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 421 Metropolitan Development (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 422 Transportation Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 437 Public Transportation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 451 Social Policy and the Aging (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 460 Federalism, Intergovernmental Relations, and Management (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 461 Computer Applications in Public Affairs (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 462 Community Development (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.)

Public Financial Management Major

Requirements (Eleven courses)

Note: Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, significant restrictions apply, see your academic advising report (AAR).

The following four courses:

  • SPEA-V 202 Contemporary Economic Issues in Public Affairs (3 cr.) (P: ECON-E 201)
  • SPEA-V 246 Elements of Governmental and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
  • SPEA-V 361 Financial Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246 or BUS-A 201)
  • SPEA-V 374 Intermediate Public Budgeting and Finance (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)*

*Iterative writing assignment course

 Three of the following courses (students who take all four courses only need three from the section below):

  • SPEA-V 346 Introduction to Government Accounting and Financial Reporting (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246)
  • SPEA-V 371 Financing Public Affairs (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 202)
  • SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 202)      
  • SPEA-V 439 Debates in Public Finance (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 202)

Four of the following courses (students who take all four of the above courses only need three from this section, students may not “double count” courses within this major):

  • SPEA-E 340 Environmental Economics and Finance (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-H 324 Health Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-H 350 Fundamentals of Healthcare Financial Management (3 cr.)      
  • SPEA-H 354 Health Economics (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-H 124 or permission of instructor and ECON-E 201)
  • SPEA-V 161 Urban Problems and Solutions (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 272 Terrorism and Public Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 275 Introduction to Emergency Management (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 346 Introduction to Government Accounting and Financial Reporting (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 246)
  • SPEA-V 348 Management Science (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-K 300, MATH-M 025 or MATH-M 118)
  • SPEA-V 356 Introduction to Nonprofit Accounting and Reporting (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246)    
  • SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3 cr.) (R: SPEA-V 261 or BUS-K 201)
  • SPEA-V 371 Financing Public Affairs (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 202)
  • SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 386 Case Studies for Policies Analysis (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 202) 
  • SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 421 Metropolitan Development (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 437 Public Transportation (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 439 Debates in Public Finance (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 202)
  • SPEA-V 441 Topics in Financial Management and Policy (3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 442 Topics in Budgeting or Cost-Benefit (3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 461 Computer Applications in PUblic Affairs (3 cr.) (P: BUS-K 201)
  • SPEA-V 462 Community Development (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 475 Database Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 261, V 369 or equivalent
  • SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.)

Public Management and Leadership Major

Requirements (Eleven courses)

Note: Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, significant restrictions apply, see your academic advising report (AAR).

The following seven Foundation courses:

  • SPEA-V 202 Contemporary Economic Issues in Public Affairs (3 cr.) (P: ECON-E 201)
  • SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 246 Elements of Government and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
  • SPEA-V 336 Managing External Collaboration and Networks (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 185)*
  • SPEA-V 361 Financial Management (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 246 or BUS-A 201)
  • SPEA-V 373 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3 cr.)

*Iterative writing assignment course

Two of the following Context Courses:

  • SPEA-V 161 Urban Problems and Solutions (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 263 Public Management (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 272 Terrorism and Public Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 365 Urban Development and Planning (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 161)
  • SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 460 Intergovernmental Relations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 462 Community Development (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
  • SPEA-V 499 Honors Thesis (3 cr.)

   Two of the following Skills courses:

  • SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-K 300 or equivalent)
  • SPEA-V 374 Intermediate Public Budgeting and Finance (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
  • SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 202)
  • SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3 cr.)
  • SPEA-V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.)

Academic Bulletins

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