female student at leadership summit

Public Affairs Major

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

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. If you're interested in particular policy areas, such as politics or economics, the Public Affairs curriculum accommodates minors in many subjects.

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 available to students in the nonprofit track.

  • 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 Degree Map 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 business students.

  • Learn in the new Nistler CoBPA. It’s an open and inviting building dedicated to business students.

What can you do with a public affairs degree?

15%

Job growth rate for social and community service manager through 2030

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

76K

Average advertised salary for jobs requiring a public affairs degree, 2020

Labor Insight

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
  • Business Administration
  • 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

MGMT 300. Principles of Management. 3 Credits.

This course provides a survey of the traditional functions of management with primary emphasis on planning, organizing, controlling, and leading. This emphasis involves coverage of managerial decision making, leadership, motivation, interpersonal communication, staffing human resources, and organizational structure, design, and change and development. Additional topics include the history of managerial thought, management information systems, international management, and business ethics and social responsibility. Prerequisites or corequisites: A total of 30 or more credit hours, including courses in progress. F,S.

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 321. International Human Rights. 3 Credits.

Examination of factors that contribute to human rights violations and domestic, multilateral and bilateral efforts to combat such violations with emphasis placed on the changing nature of the international system of states.

POLS 351. Women and Politics. 3 Credits.

Role of women in politics, including selection of women for political offices, the political attitudes and behavior of women; and the development of public policy initiatives as they affect or are likely to affect women. S,SS.

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.

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.

Explore More Options

Looking to add a double major, pursue graduate work or connect with the department?

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