Program: B.S. in Public Affairs
Department of Public Policy
College of Education and Public Policy
Neff Hall 260 260-481-6351 www.ipfw.edu/public-policy
Introduction:
The BSPA degree program provides a background in the liberal arts and a focus on public affairs. This degree offers majors in criminal justice and health services administration. Internships are available and are strongly encouraged to provide qualified students with the opportunity to apply classroom theory and techniques to real-life experiences. The internship program is designed for maximum flexibility; internships can be full or part time, paid or unpaid, credit or noncredit.
The Public Affairs’ curriculum is divided into five categories - IPFW General Education area, Public Policy general knowledge area, Public Policy core, a major area, and general electives. The BSPA requires a minimum of 120 credit hours with a 2.0 or higher cumulative grade-point average and a 2.3 or higher grade-point average in core and major courses (excluding PPOL V371). No more than 90 credits may be transferred from other accredited institutions (60 credits from a junior college). Public Policy requires that 15 hours of course work in the major at the 300 or higher level be completed at IPFW (excluding PPOL V371). A maximum of 10 credits may be applied from military transfer experience, and a maximum of 12 credits may be awarded for police academy training completed within the past year. Up to 6 credits in Public Affairs Courses may be used in order to meet specific Public Affairs degree requirements in a second Public Affairs major or minor. However, Public Affairs courses may be double-counted to satisfy the IPFW general-education distribution and public policy general elective requirements.
The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows:
Students should be able to:
- Understand the importance of ideas and theory in the formulation and implementation of public policy.
- Understand the importance of politics in all substantive public policy areas.
- Appropriately utilize quantitative approaches for dealing with management and public policy challenges.
- Understand the origins, processes, and impact of law in the creation and implementation of public policy.
To declare a major in Criminal Justice or Health Services Administration, students must have a 2.0 GPA and must meet with the Public Policy Coordinator of Advising and Student Services to determine eligibility.
Student Responsibilities: You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean.
To earn the Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs at IPFW, students must fulfill the requirements of IPFW (see Regulations, Policies, Rights, & Responsibilities) and the Department of Public Policy, and complete the following course requirements:
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