The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs degree program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to prepare them for a variety of career opportunities in the public sector, nonprofit sector, and allied fields.  Concentration areas of study include management, criminal justice, health services administration, environmental policy and specialized study in public and environmental affairs. 

Learning Outcomes

1) To analyze policies and the policy process and make suggested changes.

2) To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions.

3) To communicate effectively.

4) To use critical thinking skills to use data and information to advocate for changes to for key aspects of the U.S. public service system.

5) To understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in order to interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce.

6) To articulate and apply a public service perspective.

Curriculum

General Education

The General Education requirements are based on five (5) principles.  These principles guide undergraduate students in their educational experience at Indiana University Northwest and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs.  By fulfilling these requirements students will have an opportunity to develop effective learning and communication skills (principle 1 requirements), a mastery of core concepts in a broad range of disciplines (Principle 2), the ability to analyze and synthesize information (Principle 3), an awareness of diversity (Principle 4) and ethical consideration (Principle 5).

Principle 1 Foundations for Effective Learning and Communication (11 courses)

All students are required to take:

    ENG W131   Reading, Writing, and Inquiry 1 (3 cr.)
    SPCH S121  Public Speaking (3 cr.)

In addition, all students must complete the following requirements under Principle 1:

   1. Mathematics (3 cr.)

    One of the following courses:

    MATH M100 Basic Mathematics (4 cr.)
    MATH M118 Finite Mathematics (3 cr.)
    MATH M119 Survey of Calculus I (3 cr.)
    MATH M125 Precalculus Mathematics (3 cr.)
    MATH M215 Analytic Geometry and Calculus (3 cr.)

   2. Natural Science Class with Lab (4-6 cr.)

    One course with a lab from biology, chemistry, geology, or physics.

   3. Intensive Writing Courses (6 cr.)

    Both of the following courses:

    ENG W231 Professional Writing (3 cr.)
    SPEA V368 Managing Government Operations (3 cr.)

   4. Advanced Oral Communication Course (3 cr.)

    One of the following courses:

    SPCH S223 Business and Professional Speaking (3 cr.)
    SPCH S229 Discussion and Group Methods (3 cr.)
    SPEA V373 Human Resources Management in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
    SPEA V346 Introduction to Government Accounting and Financial Reporting (3 cr.)

   5. Advanced Math Reasoning Course (3 cr.)

    SPEA K300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)

   6. Advanced Scientific Reasoning Course (3 cr.)

    One of the following courses:

    SPEA E272 Intro to Environmental Science (3 cr.)
    SPEA H322 Principles of Epidemiology (3 Cr.)

   7. Information Literacy (3 cr.)

    One of the following courses:

    SPEA J202 Criminal Justice Data, Methods, and Resources (3 cr.)
    Approved Research Methods class (3 cr.)

   8. Learning Technologies course (3 cr.)

     SPEA V261 Using Information Technology in Public Affairs (3 cr.)

Principle 2 Breadth of Learning (9 courses)

   1. Arts & Humanities (6 cr.)

    Both of the following:         

    HIST H105 American History I (3 cr.)
    HIST H106 American History II (3 cr.)

    *2. Cultural & Historical Studies (6 cr.)

    Two classes from approved College of Arts and Science list* of classes, not including H105 and H106

   3. Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 cr.)

    Two of the following courses:

    POLS Y103 Introduction to American Politics (3 cr.)
    ECON E201 Introduction to Microeconomics (3 cr.)
    ECON E202 Introduction to Macroeconomics (3 cr.)

    *4. Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (3 cr.)

    One class from approved College of Arts and Sciences list; in addition to the natural science class under Principle 1.

Principle 3 Critical Thinking, Integration, and Application of Knowledge (One Course)

    One of the following:

    SPEA V473 Management, Leadership and Policy (3 cr.)
    Other approved SPEA class (3 cr.)

Principle 4 Diversity (One Course)

One of the following:

    SPEA E272 Intro to Environmental Sciences (3 cr.)
    SPEA H320 Health Systems Administration (3 cr.)
    Other approved SPEA class (3 cr.)

Principle 5 Ethics & Citizenship (One Course)

    One of the following courses:

    SPEA V450 Medical Ethics (3cr.)
    SPEA H441 Legal Aspects of Health Care (3 cr.)
    SPEA J321 American Policing (3 cr.)

Public Affairs Core (6 courses)

    SPEA E272 Intro to Environmental Science. (3 cr.)
    SPEA V170 Intro to Public Affairs (3 cr.)
    SPEA V263 Public Management (3 cr.)
    SPEA V264 Community Structures and Policy (3 cr.)
    SPEA V372 Government Finance and Budgets (3 cr.)
    SPEA V376 Law and Public Policy (3 cr.)

Concentrations

Criminal Justice Concentration (7 courses) Requirements

    SPEA J101 American Criminal Justice System (3 cr.)

    Three of the following courses:

    SPEA J201 Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice Policies (3 cr.)
    SPEA J202 Criminal Justice Data, Methods, and Resources (3 cr.)
    SPEA J301 Substantive Criminal Law (3 cr.) or SPEA J302 Procedural Criminal Law (3 cr.)
    SPEA J439 Crime and Public Policy (3 cr.)

    Two of the following three courses:

    SPEA J306 The Criminal Courts (3 cr.)
    SPEA J321 American Policing (3 cr.)
    SPEA J331 Corrections (3 cr.)

Management Concentration (6 courses) Requirements

    Students will take the following courses:

    SPEA V346 Introduction to Government Accounting and Financial Reporting (3 cr.)
    SPEA V366 Managing Behavior in Public Organizations (3 cr.)
    SPEA V368 Managing Government Operations (3 cr.)

    Any three SPEA courses selected with consent of advisor.

Health Services Administration Concentration (6 courses) Requirements

    The following three courses:

    SPEA H320 Health Systems Administration (3 cr.)
    SPEA H352 Healthcare Financial Management 1 (3 cr.)
    SPEA H441 Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration (3 cr.)
   
    Three of the following courses with the consent of the advisor:

    SPEA H316 Environmental Health Science (3 cr.)
    SPEA H322 Principles of Epidemiology (3 cr.)
    SPEA H371 Human Resources Management in Health Care Facilities (3 cr.)
    SPEA V375 Emergency Services Administration (3 cr.)
    SPEA H402 Hospital Administration (3 cr.)
    SPEA H474 Health Administration Ethics Seminar (3 cr.)

Specialized Public Affairs Concentration (6 courses) Requirements

   A specialized concentration adaptable to the student's interest.

    Four of the six courses in the concentration must be SPEA courses.
    All courses in the concentration (SPEA and non­SPEA) must be at the 300 or 400 level.
    Students must have their advisor's approval for the concentration and the courses selected.

Environmental Policy Concentration (6 courses) Requirements

    The following courses:

    SPEA E400 Topics in Environmental Studies: Environmental Law
    SPEA E400 Topics in Environmental Studies: Environmental Planning
    SPEA H316 Environmental Health Science

    Any other three SPEA courses selected with consent of the advisor.

Note: Electives:  Students must take additional courses beyond the requirements listed above to meet the minimum B.S. degree requirement of 120 credit hours

*The College of Arts and Sciences list of classes can be obtained from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs or retrieved from the SPEA website.