Public Policy

Neff Hall 260 ~ 260-481-6351

“The Department of Public Policy is a multidisciplinary department committed to student success and community impact through our teaching, research, and service.  We offer a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs (B.S.P.A.) degree that prepares our graduates to work in government through a major in Public Administration and Policy with two concentrations in Criminal Justice Policy and Healthcare Management.   In addition to the B.S.P.A., we offer minors in criminal justice and public affairs.”

Although a minor is not required, study in an outside area and/or internships are recommended. 

The academic programs in the department are listed below. Requirements for these programs appear in Programs  of this catalog.

Special Academic Regulation for Students in Public Policy

Requirements for the undergraduate degree should be completed within 10 years of admission to the Department of Public Policy. You may transfer no more than 90 credit hours (60 credits from a junior college) toward a Bachelor of Science degree program. A maximum of 10 credits will be awarded on the basis of military training toward any degree from the Department of Public Policy.  Credit for Police Academy completion may be awarded.

Good Standing in the Department of Public Policy requires that you maintain a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 2.00 and a minimum core/major GPA of 2.30. Therefore, you will be placed on academic probation if your semester, cumulative, or core/concentration GPA at the end of any regular semester is lower than these minimum standards. Once on probation, you may be dismissed from the department and PFW if you fail to make significant progress toward good standing or if you fail to meet the minimum PFW standards listed in Regulations  of this catalog.

PPOL Internships

As a PPOL major, you may earn a maximum of six hours of elective credit during your junior and senior years through the PPOL internship program, if you are a student in good standing and have obtained prior approval from the Internship Coordinator. Internships are strongly encouraged because they give you the opportunity to apply classroom theory and techniques to the real world and to network with professionals in your career field. The program is designed for maximum flexibility so that many valid learning experiences can qualify as internships. Internships can be full or part time, paid or unpaid, credit or noncredit. Interested students should contact the Department of Public Policy Internship Coordinator for further information about internships.