Public Affairs

The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs (BSPA) is a degree for students passionate about making a difference in the world. It offers hands-on, interdisciplinary classes that give students the analytic and advocacy skills they will need to work for positive change on issues that matter to them — such as poverty, immigration reform, climate change, educational inequality, and much, much more. 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 and policy, environmental sustainability, Black and Latino studies, and global studies. BSPA students are not eligible to double major, but can obtain a double minor. 

Professors in the Marxe School 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 sustainability, community development, education, the environment, 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.

Upon graduation, students within the Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs degree program at Marxe are expected to obtain knowledge and demonstrate skills associated with the following Program Learning Goals approved by the faculty.

Note: These goals are taught at varied levels within the core courses and will be addressed in further detailed throughout the program.