Department: Public Affairs

The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs prepares students to analyze problems and effectively solve issues with the principal goal of enhancing all aspects of public life. It prepares students to tackle social justice issues and uplift our communities both domestically and internationally. Majoring in public affairs provides students with a strong foundation in policy analysis, advocacy, and critical thinking.

The BSPA requires 120 credits: a minimum of 30 public affairs credits and another 90 credits from the CUNY Pathways general education curriculum. In the Pathways curriculum, the college option for BSPA students is a liberal arts minor. Minors relevant to public affairs include law, environmental sustainability, information studies, and survey research. BSPA students are not eligible to double major, but can obtain a double minor. 

Public affairs courses are offered in-person, on-line, and in hybrid formats. Classes are small with 20-25 students. The professors are accomplished scholars with PhDs from major universities or lecturers with current and previous positions as top policy leaders. The curriculum examines public affairs from many perspectives, including the role of  government, nonprofit, and the private sectors in the policy process. Students develop skills in civic engagement, economic analysis, political negotiations, qualitative and quantitative methods, and communication. Policy areas of interest include the arts, community development, education, the environment, health care, housing, immigration, and social welfare.

BSPA Internships: In addition to the curriculum, BSPA students apply their knowledge through experiential learning. Several credit-bearing internship courses are offered that allow students to become immersed in real-world opportunities that create building blocks to the careers they are seeking. Students have the opportunity to work at the local, state, and national levels, as well as within a myriad of nonprofit organizations. Review the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs internships for more information.

Accelerated Masters Degrees: The Marxe School of Public and International Affairs offers 4 accelerated graduate programs for students majoring in public affairs. Students who choose this option can complete a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs (BSPA) and a  Master degree in five years. Students may apply to combine their BSPA degree with a Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of International Affairs (MIA), Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Administration (MSEd-HEA), or Master of Science in City Planning (MSCP).

Undergraduates who have applied and been accepted to an accelerated master program can begin taking graduate level courses as undergraduates and count them toward both degrees. Click here for program details. For more information, contact the Marxe School Advisement.