male student giving a speech

Public Affairs Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Let our education fuel your passion. Begin your career in public service with a Public Affairs degree.

Good public policy relies on individuals who are clear thinkers and communicators. But it also demands an in-depth understanding of management, accounting and economics. Develop all of those skills, and get an understanding of the ways you can make a difference in public, private and non-profit organizations.

Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
120

Why earn a public affairs major?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

As a student in UND's Public Affairs program, you'll learn the skills that prepare you for a career in public service. The Public Affairs curriculum emphasizes practical skills, such as management and budgeting, that are applicable to work in any number of public or nonprofit organizations. 

This major features two tracks:

  • A public administration track, which emphasizes managing government organizations
  • A nonprofit administration track, which focuses on administration of nonprofit groups and issues of social awareness.

You will experience small classes, where you will know your professors and your professors will know you.

UND's Public Affairs Degree

  • Network and build experience outside of class with the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society and the Public Affairs Club.

  • Gain practical field experience through internships.

  • Earn a master in Public Administration (M.P.A.) in just one extra year by participating in our five-year combined program.

  • Let our team of academic advisors help you plan your major. You'll also have access to personalized software to keep you on track to graduate in four years.

  • Receive personalized career support through the Pancratz Career Development Center. The center is dedicated exclusively to career development for online and on-campus Nistler College of Business & Public Administration students.

  • Learn in the new Nistler Hall. It’s a modern and inviting building for UND's business and public administration students.

What can you do with a public affairs degree?

9%

Projected job outlook for social and community service managers through 2033 (faster than average); the average growth rate for all occupations is 4%

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

77k

Median annual salary for social and community service managers, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Graduate with the option to pursue an advanced degree in public administration, go to law school or begin your career immediately.

You'll gain a range of high-demand skills, including:

  • Budgeting and Financial Management
  • Public Policy Analysis
  • Project Management
  • Public Administration
  • Strategic Planning

Public Affairs Degree Jobs

You'll find UND alums in jobs around the country in organizations including:

  • Federal, state and city governments
  • Nonprofits that are local and national in scope
  • Colleges, universities and professional schools
  • Hospitals

Public Affairs Degree Courses

POLS 432. Public Policy Making Process. 3 Credits.

Two-thirds of the class is devoted to understanding the stages of the policy process: (1) Problem Identification and Agenda Setting; (2) Policy Formulation; (3) Policy Adoption; (4) Policy Implementation; and (5) Policy Evaluation. The last third applies the model to substantive policy areas such as health, environment, education. Prerequisite: POLS 115 or POLS 116. F.

POLS 437. Administrative Processes. 3 Credits.

Explanation of theoretical and practical aspects of personnel and financial management in the public sector. F, even years.

POLS 404. Urban Politics and Administration. 3 Credits.

Analysis of the socio-economic context of urban America and its impact on politics, policy, and administration. Prerequisite: POLS 115. S.

POLS 116. State and Local Government. 3 Credits.

Structure, function and problems of state and local government; executive, legislative, and judicial processes; federalism and metropolitan government. F,S.

POLS 361. Nonprofit Management (Undergrad). 3 Credits.

This course is an overview of the management of nonprofit organizations. Content includes the history and legal foundation of nonprofits, leadership, marketing, management of employees and volunteers, and operations management. F, even years.

POLS 215. Politics and Diversity. 3 Credits.

Diversity is considered with the context of the American political system. Students will explore the cultural basis of group identity and how this translates into political engagement. The implications of group political participation will be considered in terms of competing models of democracy as well as the impact collective action has had on public policy. S.

Online Public Affairs Degree

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

160+

online programs

UND is one of the most affordable online colleges in the region. For the online Public Affairs degree, we offer the same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare and you’ll see UND is lower cost than similar four-year doctoral universities.

Flexible Public Affairs Degree Online Courses

The Public Affairs bachelor's degree is 100% online. You are never required to come to campus.

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Top-Tier Online Public Affairs Degree

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on-campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey, and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Leader in Action

Tyler Larson, a Public Affairs major, launched a non-profit youth center. It provides a place for high school students to be free of negative peer pressure.

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