Skip to main content
University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
    • Admitted Students
    • Current Students
    • Families of Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Email
    • Blackboard
    • Campus Connection
    • Employee Self-Service (HRMS)
    • Starfish
    • Degree Map
    • Zoom
  • Directory
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Student Life
  • Research
  • Athletics
  • Majors & Programs
  • About
University of North Dakota
  • Academics
  • Admissions
  • Student Life
  • Research
  • Athletics
  • Majors & Programs
  • About
  • Request Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Home
  • Program Finder
  • Public Affairs (B.S.)
  • Requirements
Skip Section Navigation
  • Public Affairs (B.S.)
  • Requirements
  • Tuition & Aid
  • Why UND Online?
  • How to Apply

Public Affairs Degree Requirements

Complete these requirements for a Public Affairs degree.

This program is now known as Public Affairs. It has previously been known as Public Administration.

Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs

Required 120 credits (36 of which must be numbered 300 or above) including:

I. Essential Studies Requirements (see University ES listing).

II. The applicable College of Business and Public Administration Requirements (see BPA listing).

III. Common Core Curriculum

Course List
Code Title Credits
POLS 115American Government I3
or POLS 116 State and Local Government
ACCT 200Elements of Accounting I3
ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics3
MGMT 300Principles of Management3
POLS 437Administrative Processes3
POLS 495Senior Colloquium in Political Science and Public Administration3
Total Credits18

All students in the major follow the common core curriculum along with courses in one of the two tracks below: Public Administration or Nonprofit for a total of 33 credit hours to complete the major.

IV. Public Administration track

Required:

Course List
Code Title Credits
ECON 210Introduction to Business and Economic Statistics3
POLS 250Introduction to Public Administration3
POLS 300Introduction Research Methods3
Electives: select two from the following6
ACCT 201
Elements of Accounting II
MGMT 302
Human Resource Management
MGMT 310
Organizational Behavior
ECON 324
Public Finance
POLS 328
Legislative Processes
or POLS 329
Presidential Institutions and Management
POLS 404
Urban Politics and Administration
POLS 432
Public Policy Making Process
Other courses with academic advisor approval
Total Credits15

V. Nonprofit track

Required: 

Course List
Code Title Credits
POLS 200Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector3
POLS 361Nonprofit Management (Undergrad)3
POLS 480Administrative Internship3
Electives: select two from the following6
ACCT 201
Elements of Accounting II
POLS 306
American Constitution-Civil Liberties
MGMT 310
Organizational Behavior
POLS 321
International Human Rights
POLS 351
Women and Politics
MGMT 400
Organizational Theory and Analysis
Other courses with academic advisor approval
Total Credits15

VI.  College of Business & Public Administration Graduation Requirements:

  1. Earn a minimum  GPA of 2.00 (including transfer credits)
  2. Earn a minimum UND GPA of 2.00
  3. Earn a minimum GPA of 2.50 for all courses that apply toward the major (including transfer credits)
  4. Complete at least half of the major courses that apply toward the degree and major at UND.
  5. Major requirements are fulfilled by completion of the classes listed though students are encouraged to take other classes in Finance, Economics, or Accounting for career preparation.

Public Affairs Degree Requirements Disclaimer

The requirements on this page are pulled from UND’s academic catalog and may not reflect future terms. Updates are published annually in April.

General Education Courses

Essential Studies (ES) is UND’s program in general education. Along with your required major courses, it helps form the core of your UND undergraduate education. Your ES courses focus on essential skills employers require including communication, critical thinking and problem solving.

Request Information

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies, Privacy Information.

Ready to Enroll?

  • Request Information
  • Schedule a Visit
  • Apply Now
  • UND.info@UND.edu
  • 701.777.3000
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Contact UND
  • Campus Map
  • Events Calendar
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Explore Programs
  • Employment
  • Make a Gift
University of North Dakota

© 2023 University of North Dakota - Grand Forks, ND - Member of ND University System

  • Accessibility & Website Feedback
  • Terms of Use & Privacy
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Student Disclosure Information
  • Title IX
©