Public Affairs: B.A., B.S., B.P.S.

Students of Public Affairs will be well-equipped to serve society through public service, civic engagement, political and government careers, public communications or nonprofit service. The interdisciplinary Public Affairs area of study will prepare students with leadership and decision-making skills to operate in the public interest, addressing social issues and societal concerns.

As students work toward their degree, they will examine the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of their chosen concentration, meanwhile gaining an understanding of American governmental and public institutions, within their social context, and becoming familiar with the broad and complex economic, financial and legal environments within which public institutions function. Students in Public Affairs have the opportunity to engage intellectually with ethical questions related to their area of concentration, and the values that drive the development of public policy. Public Affairs students will sharpen their skills in writing, research and critical reading and thinking, as, together with a faculty mentor, create a program to meet your specific needs and goals.

Degree programs in Public Affairs offer students the opportunity to develop individualized degree plans based on their intellectual, professional, and personal interests. General program guidelines can be found on the “Program Details” tab, and students will work with an academic mentor to choose courses that meet the guidelines and address each student’s individual interests. Students can also work with their academic mentors to identify applicable transfer credit, prior college-level learning, and possible course equivalencies. Working with a mentor and using Empire State University’s educational planning process, students can develop a specialized concentration in Public Affairs by following the general program guidelines as well as any applicable concentration guidelines. Students may also develop their own concentrations. 

For some concentrations, specific technical or scientific knowledge might be necessary.

For more information about general undergraduate degree requirements, please visit Earning an Undergraduate Degree.

For sample degree programs and other degree planning resources, please visit the Department of Social Science and Public Affairs Degree Planning Resources web page.

Program Details

Public Affairs is an interdisciplinary field devoted to the study of organizations and individuals that operate in what is considered the public interest, including social issues and problems. The area of study is designed for those who are interested in serving and bettering society through public service, civic engagement, political and government careers, public communications or non-profit service. The Public Affairs Area of Study is commonly pursued with the aim of advancing careers in Public Administration, Public Policy, Homeland Security, and Emergency Management to name a few.

Students with a degree in Public Affairs should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nine foundations listed below. Knowledge of each outcome can be demonstrated through transfer credit, individual prior learning assessment (iPLA), professional learning evaluation (PLE), credit by examination, or specific courses at Empire State University.