Public Affairs Major

The major in public affairs welcomes motivated students interested in policy-making, planning, community service and advocacy in public and nonprofit organizations. The bachelor of public affairs degree (BPA) integrates the mission of Seattle University through its focus on social justice and dedication to “empowering leaders for a just and humane world.”

Coursework in the BPA encourages students to explore diverse perspectives, apply problem-solving skills, and engage in practical experiences that enable graduates to undertake important leadership responsibilities and challenging work in the public and nonprofit sectors. The course work includes management studies and public policy analysis. Several policy pathways are available to students, allowing the students to shape their studies according to their interests and concerns. Students earning this degree will be prepared to contribute to all sectors of society and levels of government. This degree is also excellent preparation for graduate or professional school.

There is a BPA/MPA joint degree option. Upon completion of the BPA program, a Seattle University BPA student may apply for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. The graduate degree can be completed in four additional quarters. For joint degree students only there is a reduced, 36-credit requirement for the MPA. See the Graduate Bulletin of Information for a description of the MPA program.

General Program Requirements

It is strongly suggested that students make an appointment with the BPA program director to discuss their interest in public affairs prior to declaring the major.

Public affairs majors must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a minimum of a 2.50 grade point average in the major in order to graduate.

BPA students planning to apply to the graduate Master of Public Administration degree program must have a 3.00 or higher cumulative GPA.

Note: Some PUBA courses have been identified as satisfying the senior synthesis and the core interdisciplinary requirements. Those courses may be used to fill major requirements or major electives while also fulfilling university core requirements. The credit for each course completed is included in totals only once.

Requirements

In order to earn the bachelor of public affairs degree, students must complete a minimum of 180 credits with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 and a major grade point average of 2.50.

I. Core Curriculum Requirements

ENGL 110 - College Writing: Inquiry and Argument 5
PHIL 110 - Introduction to Philosophy and Critical Thinking 5
HIST 120 - Origins of Western Civilization 5
ENGL 120 - Introduction to Literature 5
MATH 107 - Mathematical Reasoning and Its Applications 5 or
MATH 110 - Functions and Algebraic Methods 5 or above
Lab Science (5)
Fine Arts (one approved 5 credit course; see course descriptions ) (5)
PHIL 220 - Philosophy of the Human Person 5
Social Science I (not economics or political science) (5)
Social Science II (ECON 271 required in major) (*)
Theology and Religious Studies Phase II (200-299) (see course offerings ) (5)
Ethics (upper division) (major course may satisfy) (5)
Theology and Religious Studies Phase II (300-399) (see course offerings ) (5)
Interdisciplinary (PUBA 480 recommended) (3 to 5)
Senior Synthesis satisfied by PUBA 490

NOTE:

*Included in major GPA.

II. College of Arts & Sciences Requirements

Modern Language 115, 125, 135 or equivalent (15)

NOTE:

All students with a major in the College of Arts and Sciences must demonstrate competency through the level of 135 in a language other than English. This competency is ordinarily achieved by successful completion of the three-course sequence: 115, 125, and 135. Because these courses are a college requirement, no courses in the sequence may be taken on a pass/fail, correspondence, or audit basis. Placement into other than the beginning course of the sequence is achieved by acceptable performance on the Modern Language Competency Examination. See the Modern Languages Department for details on the examinations. Courses used to satisfy the College of Arts and Sciences modern language requirement may not be used to fulfill public affairs major requirements.

Choose one of the following two courses:

III. Major Requirements

A minimum of 60 credits consisting of foundation, programmatic and professional courses.

Area I: Foundational and Prerequisites

PUBA 201 - Foundations of Public Administration 5
ECON 271 - Principles of Economics - Macro 5 (fulfills Core Social Science II)
ECON 272 - Principles of Economics - Micro 5
PLSC 309 - Local and State Politics 5

Area II: Programmatic: Policy Pathway

Students are required to take at least three courses from one of the following policy pathways. Courses will be determined with consent of the student’s major advisor. Elective courses may be used to fulfill policy pathway requirements.

Urban Studies (10 to 15)
Nonprofit Leadership (10 to 15)
Environmental Policy (10 to 15)
Criminal Justice (10 to 15)
International Studies (10 to 15)
(Study abroad options are available to interested students)
Social Policy (10 to 15)

Area III: Programmatic – Linked Policy Analysis/Senior Synthesis

PUBA 490 - Perspectives in Public Affairs 5
PUBA 495 - Internship 1 to 6

Area IV: Professional

(Courses co-listed in the Graduate Bulletin at the 500 level)

PUBA 411 - Understanding Organizations 5
PUBA 430 - Management Analysis and Control 3 to 5
PUBA 440 - Policy and Program Research 3 to 5
PUBA 441 - Policy Analysis 3 to 5

Professional Field Internship

A second internship is required of joint BPA/MPA students. This second internship is not a requirement for the BPA. This internship will typically be undertaken in the quarter following completion of the BPA requirements.

PUBM 595 - Internship (1 to 6)