The Trustees of Indiana University established the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) as a statewide program of the university in January 1972.

The School of Public and Environmental Affairs at IU Northwest offers academic programs at the associate, baccalaureate, and master's degree levels for both IU Northwest students and for individuals presently working in public affairs, criminal justice, health services, human services, nonprofit organizations, or environmental affairs settings. The school also operates a unit designed to address a variety of public issues and problems, in particular those of northwest Indiana. SPEA conducts research on public problems, provides services to public agencies, and engages in educational programs designed to aid public officials and to inform the public on a variety of public issues.