Bachelor of Science Degree Programs
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About the Bachelor of Science Degree Programs
Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs
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The School of Public and Environmental Affairs recognizes the complex problems facing our society, such as global warming, hazardous waste, law and order, public safety, escalating health care costs, balance of trade, and international relations. Through the Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs degree program, students develop their problem-solving abilities and organizational skills so that they may contribute possible solutions to these and other problems. Students choose a major from Criminal Justice, Environmental Policy, Health Services Administration, Legal Studies, Public Management, or specialized study.
Students with a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs degree can continue their education in law school or graduate school. For those who choose immediate employment, our program is flexible enough to provide the necessary background to begin a career in the public, nonprofit, or private sector.
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The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs requires 120 credit hours.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The SPEA curriculum is divided into four categories
General Education
Electives
Public Affairs Core
Major Area
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Communication
(Three courses for a minimum of 9 credit hours)
The following writing course:
ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition (3 cr.) (C or higher)
One of the following:
ENG-W 232 Introduction to Business Writing (3 cr.)
ENG-W 233 Intermediate Expository Writing (3 cr.)
The following speech course:
COM 114 Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3 cr.)
Arts and Humanities
(Four courses for a minimum of 12 credit hours)
The following two courses:
HIST-H 105 American History I (3 cr.)
HIST-H 106 American History II (3 cr.)
Two courses from at least two of the following subject areas:
Classical Studies
Communication
English (language and literature)
Fine Arts/Visual Arts
Folklore
Foreign Languages and Literature
History
Honors Humanities
Musicology and Music History
Philosophy
Religious Studies
Theatre
Social and Behavioral Sciences
(Five courses for a minimum of 15 credit hours)
The following three courses:
ECON-E 201 Introduction to Microeconomics (3 cr.)
ECON-E 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 371 Financing Public Affairs (3 cr.)
Two courses from the following subject areas:
Anthropology
Criminal justice
Economics
Geography (selected)
Journalism
Linguistics
Political Science
Psychology (selected)
Sociology
Women's Studies
Natural Sciences
(Two to three courses for a minimum of 8 credit hours selected from the following departments.)
Many departments limit credit in 100-level courses. Please check with an advisor before taking a second 100-level science course in any of the departments listed here.
Astronomy
AST-A 100 The Solar System (3 cr.)
AST-A 105 Stars and Galaxies (3 cr.)
Biology
BIOL 100 Introduction to the Biological World (3-4 cr.)
BIOL 108 Biology of Plants (4 cr.)
BIOL 109 Biology of Animals (4 cr.)
BIOL 117* Principles of Ecology and Evolution (3 cr.)
BIOL 119* Principles of Structure and Function (3 cr.)
*Recommended for Environmental Policy majors.
BIOL 203 Human Anatomy and Physiology (3 cr.)
BIOL 204 Human Anatomy and Physiology II (3 cr.)
Chemistry
CHM 111 General Chemistry (3 cr.)
CHM 112 General Chemistry (3 cr.)
CHM 115 General Chemistry (3 cr.)
CHM 116 General Chemistry (3 cr.)
Earth Sciences
GEOG-G 107 Physical Systems of the Environment (3 cr.)
GEOL-G 100 General Geology (3 cr.)
GEOL-G 103 Earth Science: Materials and Processes (3 cr.)
GEOL-G 104 Earth Science: Evolution of the Earth (3 cr.)
GEOL-G 108 Selected Earth Science Topics (3 cr.)
GEOL-G 111 Physical Geology (3 cr.)
GEOL-G 112 Historical Geology (3 cr.)
GEOL-L 100 General Geology Lab (1 cr.)
GEOL-S 100 General Geology Honors (5 cr.)
Physics
PHYS 131 Concepts in Physics I (3 cr.)
PHYS 132 Concepts in Physics II (3 cr.)
PHYS 201 General Physics I (5 cr.)
PHYS 218 General Physics (4 cr.)
Quantitative Methods
(Three courses for a minimum of 9 credit hours.)
Three (3) credits from the following computer series or computer course:
BUS-K 200, K211, K212, K213 Business Computer Introductory Series (3 cr.)
CS 106 Introduction to Computers (3 cr.)
One of the following mathematics course:
MA 153 Algebra and Trigonometry I (3 cr.)
MA 163 Integrated Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 cr.)
MA 168 Mathematics for the Liberal Arts (3 cr.)
MA 213 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
MA 229 Calculus for the Managerial, Social and Biological Sciences (3 cr.)
One of the following statistics courses:
SPEA-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)
ECON-E 270 Introduction to Statistical Theory in Economics and Business (3 cr.)
SOC-S 351 Social Statistics (3 cr.)
STAT 301 Elementary Statistical Methods I (3 cr.)
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General Electives
You must take sufficient additional courses to meet the Bachelor of Science requirement of 120 credits. These should include IPFW General Education Distribution Areas I, II, III, IV, V, and VI requirements that have not already been fulfilled by the SPEA General Education requirements.
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(The following four courses)
SPEA-E 162 Environment and People (3 cr.)
SPEA-H 120 Contemporary Health Issues (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 101 The American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 170 Introduction to Public Affairs (3 cr.)
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You must choose one of the majors listed below:
Criminal Justice Major
Environmental Policy Major
Health Services Administration Major
Legal Studies Major
Public Management Major
Specialized Study in Public and Environmental Affairs
Requirements (Ten courses)
Note: SPEA-J 101 The American Criminal Justice System is a prerequisite for all other criminal justice courses.
The following courses:
SPEA-J 201 Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice Policies (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 202 Criminal Justice Data, Methods, and Resources (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 301 Substantive Criminal Law (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 306 The Criminal Courts (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 321 American Policing (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 331 Corrections (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 439 Crime and Public Policy (3 cr.)
Three additional SPEA courses for a minimum of 9 credit hours with approval of your advisor.
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Requirements (Nine courses)
The following courses:
SPEA-E 272 Introduction to Environmental Sciences (3 cr.) or
BIOL 349 Environmental Science (3 cr.)
SPEA-E 400 Topics in Environmental Studies: Environment and Democracy (3 cr.)
SPEA-H 316 Environmental Health (3 cr.)
SPEA-H 416 Environmental Health Policy (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 376 Law and Public Policy (3 cr.)
A minimum of 12 credits chosen from among the following courses:
SPEA-V 365 Urban Development and Planning (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 372 Government Finance and Budgets (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 380 Internship in Public Affairs (1-6 cr.)
SPEA-V 390 Readings in Public and Environmental Affairs (0-3 cr.)
SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (3 cr.) (appropriate topics)
SPEA-V 465 Geographic Information Systems for Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 490 Directed Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (1-3 cr.)
AGRY 225 Soil Science (3 cr.)
ANTH-E 320 Indians of North America (3 cr.)
ANTH-E 401 Ecology and Culture (3 cr.)
BIOL 217 Intermediate Ecology (3 cr.)
COM 316 Controversy in American Society (3 cr.)
ENTM 306 General Applied Entomology (2 cr.)
FNR 225 Dendrology (3 cr.)
GEOL-G 300 Environmental and Urban Geology (3 cr.)
LSTU-L 240 Occupational Health and Safety (3 cr.)
PHIL 328 Ethics and Animals (3 cr.)
POLS-Y 367 International Law (3 cr.)
SOC-S 309 The Community (3 cr.)
SOC-S 407 Society of the Future (3 cr.)
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Requirements (Nine courses)
SPEA-H 320 Health Systems Administration (3 cr.)
SPEA-H 322 Principles of Epidemiology (3 cr.)
SPEA-H 352 Health Finance and Budgeting (3 cr.)
SPEA-H 402 Hospital Administration (3 cr.)
SPEA-H 411 Long Term Care Administration (3 cr.)
One of the following:
SPEA-H 371 Human Resources Management in Health Care Facilities (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 366 Managing Behavior in Public Organizations (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 373 Human Resources Management in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
Three additional SPEA courses for a minimum of 9 credit hours with approval of your advisor.
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Requirements (Ten courses)
SPEA-V 376 Law and Public Policy (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 377 Legal Process and Contemporary Issues in America (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 405 Public Law and the Legislative Process (3 cr.)
POLS-Y 211 Introduction to Law (3 cr.)
POLS-Y 304 American Constitutional Law I (3 cr.)
POLS-Y 305 American Constitutional Law II (3 cr.)
Two of the following:
SPEA-H 441 Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 301 Substantive Criminal Law (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 302 Procedural Criminal (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 304 Correctional Law (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 260 Topics in Public Affairs (Law-related topics only) (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 406 Public Law and the Electoral Process (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 407 Public Law and Governmental Relations
SPEA-V 456 Topics in Public Law (3 cr.)
Two of the following:
BUS-L 303 Commercial Law II (3 cr.)
ENG-W 350 Advanced Expository Writing (3 cr.)
HIST-A 349 Afro-American History (3 cr.)
HIST-H 260 History of Women in the United States (3 cr.)
JOUR-J 300 Communications Law (3 cr.)
OLS 468 Personnel Law (3 cr.)
PHIL 260 Philosophy and Law (3 cr.)
POLS-Y 328 Women and the Law (3 cr.)
POLS-Y 367 International Law (3 cr.)
PSY 381 Psychology and Law
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Requirements (Nine courses)
SPEA-V 263 Public Management (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 264 Urban Structure and Policy (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 348 Management Science (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 366 Managing Behavior in Public Organizations (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 372 Government Finance and Budgets (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 376 Law and Public Policy (3 cr.)
Three additional SPEA courses for a minimum of 9 credit hours with approval of your advisor.
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Specialized Study in Public and Environmental Affairs
(27 credit hours)
Nine courses at the 300-400 level, four of which must be SPEA courses. All courses must be approved by your advisor. Available specialization areas include environmental studies and urban studies.
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Any IPFW student enrolled in a bachelor’s program may pursue one or more of the minors offered by the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Individuals interested in one or more of these minors should inquire in the SPEA undergraduate advising office for additional details. Students who successfully complete the requirements will have the minor conferred with their degree. SPEA’s multidisciplinary faculty and curriculum address environmental, health, public policy, and management issues from a variety of perspectives. A minor in SPEA can enhance career opportunities for liberal arts and other majors.
General Policies and Procedures
Each minor requires 15 credit hours of specified courses with a 2.00 grade point average or higher, and none of the courses may be taken by correspondence through the Division of Continuing Studies. Students may double-count only 6 of the required 15 credit hours in other SPEA major or minor requirements. Students may earn up to two minors from SPEA, but each minor must have at least 9 hours that are not satisfying other major or minor requirements.
The Public and Environmental Affairs Minor and the Criminal Justice Minor are available on the Fort Wayne campus. The minor in Criminal Justice is available to students who are enrolled in a bachelor’s program other than the B.S. in Public Affairs with a major in Criminal Justice.
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Requirements (Five courses)
The following course:
SPEA-V 170 Introduction to Public Affairs(3 cr.)
One of the following courses:
SPEA-E 162 Environment and People (3 cr.)
SPEA-E 272 Introduction to Environmental Sciences (3 cr.)
Three of the following courses:
SPEA-E 272 Introduction to Environmental Sciences (3 cr.) If not used above.
SPEA-E 400 Topics in Environmental Studies (2-3 cr.) May be repeated
SPEA-V 263 Public Management (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 366 Managing Behavior in Public Organizations (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 373 Human Resources Management in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 376 Law and Public Policy (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (3 cr.) May be repeated.
or other courses in public or environmental affairs approved by a SPEA advisor.
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Requirements (Five courses)
The following course:
SPEA-J 101 The American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.) (prerequisite for all criminal justice courses)
One of the following courses:
1SPEA-J 201 Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice Policies (3 cr.)
1SPEA-J 301 Substantive Criminal Law (3 cr.)
Three of the following courses:
1SPEA-J 201 Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice Policies (3 cr.)
1SPEA-J 301 Substantive Criminal Law (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 306 The Criminal Courts (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 321 American Policing (3 cr.)
SPEA-J 331 Corrections (3 cr.)
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1 J 201 and J 301 can be taken only once each for credit.
