IUPUI Bulletins » Schools » O'Neill School Of Public and Environmental Affairs » Undergraduate » Degree Programs » Sustainable Management and Policy (BSPA)


Sustainable Management and Policy (BSPA)

The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs requires 120 credit hours. The program includes four main areas: I. IUPUI Common Core, II. O'Neill General Education/baccalaureate requirements, III. Public Affairs Core, IV. Program/Major requirements, and V. Open electives.

Public Affairs focuses on how we provide for our citizens, making our communities better places to live, work and raise a family. Public Affairs students study and analyze government policies, and learn how to manage government and nonprofit organizations.

A Sustainable Management and policy major focuses on the development and implementation of policies that help communities meet the needs of the present without compromising the future. O'Neill prepares people to lead and manage sustainability efforts in government, nonprofits and businesses.

I. IUPUI Common Core (30 Credits)

Students at IUPUI will complete 30 hours of general education coursework prior to graduation with a baccalaureate degree. The coursework is aligned with the Indiana Statewide Transferable General Education Core. For more information, please visit http://go.iupui.edu/gened.

  1. Core Communication (2 courses; 6 credits) From approved list, students must take at least one writing course (ENG W131 - Reading, Writing and Inquiry I or ENG W140 Honors Composition I) and one speaking and listening course (COMM R110 - Public Speaking) for a total of two courses and six credits.
  2. Analytical Reasoning (2 courses, 6 credits) From approved list, at least one college level math course. It is recommended that SPEA students take Math M118 (finite) and SPEA K300 (Statistical Techniques).
  3. Life and Physical Sciences (2 courses, 6 credits) From approved list, at least two courses and six credits toward the life and physical sciences.
  4. Cultural Understanding (1 course; 3 credits) From approved list, at least one course. O'Neill students are encouraged to complete first year competency in a foreign language.
  5. Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences (3 courses; 9 credits) From approved list, students must take at least three credits from the Arts & Humanities list and at least three credits from the Social Sciences list for a total of nine credits.
II. Baccalaureate Requirements: O'Neill General Education Requirements (15 credits)

Classes in this area must be a minimum of three credits each.

  • BUS A200 or A201 – Accounting
  • ENG W231 or BUS X204 - Professional Writing Skills or Business Communications
  • *ECON E201 – Introduction to Microeconomics
  • *ECON E202 – Introduction to Macroeconomics
  • *POLS Y103 – Introduction to American Politics

*If ECON E201, ECON E202, and/or POLS Y103 are used to meet a core requirement, the student must take additional credits from any of the core curriculum general areas (Core Communication, Mathematics/Analytical Reasoning, Life and Physical Sciences, Cultural Understanding, Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences) to achieve the additional O'Neill general education requirement credits. Though, students are not limited to only the core course listings and are encouraged to take higher level courses in those areas, depending on interests, minors, or certificates. Course selection and approval should be done in consultation with an O'Neill Academic Advisor.

All O'Neill students are encouraged to complete First Year Competency in a foreign language.

Students cannot double count courses in this area with their major requirements.

III. Public Affairs Core (9 courses; 24-26 credits)
  • SPEA V170 Intro to Public Affairs (3 cr.)
  • SPEA V252 Career Development &Planning (2 cr.)
  • SPEA V261 Computers in Public Affairs (or BUS K201) (3 cr.)
  • SPEA V264 Urban Structure & Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA K300 Statistics (or equivalent) (3 cr.)
  • SPEA V370 Research Methods (or SPEA J202) (3 cr.)
  • SPEA V376 Law & Public Policy (3 cr.)
  • SPEA V380 Internship in Public & Environmental Affairs (0-6 cr.)
  • SPEA V473 Management, Leadership & Policy (3 cr.)

IV. Sustainable Management and Policy Major (13 courses; 33 cr.)

Required courses:
  • SPEA V222   Principles of Sustainability
  • SPEA V322   Sustainable Management OR SPEA V323 Sustainable Policy
  • SPEA V311   Natural Resources and Environmental Policy 
  • SPEA V372   Government Finance & Budgets
  • SPEA V419   Sustainable Community Development

Choose one of the following courses:

  • SPEA V263 Public Management
  • SPEA V362 Nonprofit Management and Leadership

Choose one of the following courses: 

  • SPEA V310 or SPEA E476

Choose two of the following courses: 

  • SPEA-V369, V373, V378, V379, V382, V408, V412, V435, V443, V450 (consult advisor), V482 (Study Abroad)

Choose three of the following courses: 

  • SPEA-E476, SPEA-V310, GEOG-G107, G108, G111, G112, G114, G303, G310, G336, GEOL-G107, G117, G306, HIST-A410, PBHL-A316, A424, A451, POLS-Y313
  • Sustainable Technology Certificate (consult w/ School of Engr/Tech): TECH 30100, 30200, 30300, 40200, OLS 20000, 30200.

V. Open Electives

Additional courses beyond the IUPUI Common Core, O'Neill General Education requirements, and Major requirements to total 120 credit hours (these are not required to be O'Neill courses but could be).

Only college level course work will count toward open electives. Remedial courses in areas such as math and English do not count.

Important notes:

Students may transfer to the O'Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs once they acquire 12 credit hours, have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 in O'Neill major courses (sections III and IV), an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a previous semester GPA of 2.0.

O'Neill Good Standing requires: a previous semester 2.0 GPA, a cumulative 2.0 GPA, as well as 2.3 GPA in O'Neill major courses.

Please see your O'Neill Academic Advisor with any questions. To make an appointment with your advisor, call O'Neill Student Services at 317-274-4656.