Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs

Campus Locations Boston, Virtual
Also available 100% Online Yes
Other Format(s)
Credits Required for Graduation 160
Entry Terms Fall Quarter, Winter Quarter, Spring Quarter, Summer Quarter
Meets International Visa Requirements No

Overview

Bridge the Gap between Government and the Public


If you’re interested in government, sociology, and economics, then a bachelor's degree in public affairs might be right for you. By examining the complex and evolving challenges inherent to public administration, this interdisciplinary program helps you cultivate strong analytical and decision-making skills.

Featuring courses on social change, crisis communications, economic growth, and civil liberties, this dynamic program helps you build the skills that are required to pursue a career in government, public affairs, criminal justice, social service, education, or community development. By selecting from five degree specializations—in public health, public administration, pre-law, justice studies, or international affairs— you can focus on the area that best meets your professional and academic goals. 

Core Curriculum

College of Professional Studies degrees* integrate a core set of course requirements that ensure all of our graduates possess a well-rounded educational background and understanding of the world. The core courses allow students to gain insights into disciplines other than their field of study, as well as develop expertise in written and oral communication and critical thinking.

 


Written Communication (9 q.h.)

Complete the following three courses:

ENG 1004 College English 1 3 q.h.
ENG 1005 College English 2 3 q.h.
ENG 3006 College English Workshop 3 q.h.


Diversity (3 q.h.)

Complete one of the following courses:

CMN 2002 Intercultural Communication 3 q.h.
MGT 1503 Managing in a Diverse and Changing World* 3 q.h.
POL 2230 Civil Liberties 3 q.h.
SOC 1110 Diversity 3 q.h.
SOC 1635 Race and Ethnicity 3 q.h.
SOC 2440 Gender and Work Roles in Society 3 q.h.


Information Literacy (3 q.h.)

ITC Information Technology Elective 3 q.h.

Suggested courses:

 
ITC 1001 Intro to PC Productivity Tools 3 q.h.
ITC 1002 Technology and Information Fluency 3 q.h.
ITC 1120 Website Design 3 q.h.
ITC 1235 Internet Essentials 3 q.h.
ITC 1255 Human-Computer Interaction 3 q.h.

Mathematics (6 q.h.)

Complete a minimum of six quarter hours from the following courses:

MTH 1001 College Algebra 1 3 q.h.
MTH 2002 College Algebra 2 3 q.h.
MTH 2512 Finite Mathematics 3 q.h.
MTH 2101 Precalculus 3 q.h.
MTH 3005 Calculus 1 4 q.h.
MTH 3010 Calculus 2 4 q.h.
MTH 3015 Calculus 3 4 q.h.
ECN 2001 Statistics 1 3 q.h.
ECN 2002 Statistics 2 3 q.h.


Ethical & Political Perspectives (3 q.h.)

Complete one of the following courses:

LDR 3230 Ethical Decision Making 3 q.h.
PHL 1001 Introduction to Philosophy and Ethics 3 q.h.
PHL 2160 Bioethics 3 q.h.
PHL 2180 Business Ethics 3 q.h.


Science Perspectives (3 q.h.)

Choose one course with any one of the following prefixes: BIO, BTC, CHM, ESC, PHY

 

Suggested courses:

 
BIO 1010 Biology 1 3 q.h.
BIO 1825 Biology Today: An issues Approach 3 q.h.
CHM 1011 Chemical Principles 1 3 q.h.
CHM 2105 Chemistry and the Environment 3 q.h.
ESC 1525 Energy for Today and Tomorrow 3 q.h.
ESC 1121 Introduction to Meteorology and Weather Forecasting 3 q.h.
ESC 1123 Observational Astronomy 3 q.h.
PHY 2301 Physics 1 3 q.h.


Historical Perspectives (3 q.h.)

HST History Elective 3 q.h.

Suggested courses:

 
HST 1001 Civilization of the Ancient & Medieval Worlds 3 q.h.
HST 1002 Civilization of the Early Modern World 3 q.h.
HST 1003 Civilization of the Modern World 3 q.h.
HST 3213 Contemporary America 3 q.h.
HST 2205 Coming to America: The American Immigrant Experience
 3 q.h.

 

Total Core Curriculum: 30 q.h.


*Lowell Institute School degree requirements vary.
See curriculum pages for more information.

Curriculum

Core Curriculum (30 q.h.)

We require all bachelor's degree students to complete required core curriculum, allowing you to gain insight into disciplines other than your field of study.

Foundation Courses (31-32 q.h.)

Complete all of the following courses:

ECN 1001
 		Principles of Macroeconomics 4 q.h.
HST 3131
 		The World: 1945-Present 3 q.h.
POL 1001 Introduction to Politics 3 q.h.
POL 1370 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 q.h.
POL 3115 State and Local Government 3 q.h.
SOC 2425 Social Problems 3 q.h.

Complete four of the following courses:

ECN 1002 Principles of Microeconomics 4 q.h.
ECN 3100 Economic Growth and Development 3 q.h.
HST 2205 Coming to America 3 q.h.
POL 1250 Introduction to American Government 3 q.h.
POL 2105 Business and Government 3 q.h.
POL 3110 Political Parties and Pressure Groups 3 q.h.
POL 2230 Civil Liberties 3 q.h.
POL 2310 Psychology of Politics 3 q.h.

Major Courses (12 q.h.)

Complete all of the following courses:

SOC 4105 Poverty, Power, and Social Change 3 q.h.
CMN 2320 Crisis Communications 3 q.h.

Complete two of the following fifteen courses:

BLW 3304 Employment Law 3 q.h.
CJS 1615 Policing in a Democratic Society 3 q.h.
CJS 1504 Juvenile Justice 3 q.h.
ECN 3110 Comparative Economic Systems 3 q.h.
HMG 1215 Health Law 3 q.h.
HMG 1201 Health Planning and Regulation 3 q.h.
HST 3240 African-American History 3 q.h.
PHL 1010 Social and Political Philosophy 3 q.h.
POL 2100 Politics of Health in International Development 3 q.h.
POL 3125 The Congress 3 q.h.
POL 2805 International Organizations 3 q.h.
POL 2840 American Foreign Policy 3 q.h.
PSY 2325 Social Psychology 3 q.h.
SOC 1635 Race and Ethnicity 3 q.h.
SOC 3150 Deviant Behavior and Social Control 3 q.h.

Specializations (18 q.h.)

Choose one of the following specializations:

International Affairs Specialization* (18 q.h.)

Complete one of the following courses

POL 3200 Current Political Issues 3 q.h.
POL 4983 Special Topics in Political Science 3 q.h.

Complete five of the following courses:

CMN 2002 Intercultural Communication 3 q.h.
ECN 3105 European Economic Development 3 q.h.
HST 3320 Modern Middle East 3 q.h.
HST 3331 The Legacy of the Vietnam Wars 3 q.h.
HST 3131 The World: 1945-Present 3 q.h.
MGT 2650 Cultural Issues in International Business 3 q.h.
POL 2100 Politics of Health in International Development 3 q.h.
POL 2500 Comparative Politics 3 q.h.
POL 2400 International Relations 3 q.h.
POL 2805 International Organizations 3 q.h.
POL 2840 American Foreign Policy 3 q.h.
POL 2520 Government and Politics in the Middle East 3 q.h.
POL 3580 International Relations and Organizations 6 q.h.
ANT 2100 Social Anthropology of the Developing World 3 q.h.

Justice Studies Specialization* (18 q.h.)

Complete one of the following courses:

POL 3200 Current Political Issues 3 q.h.
POL 4983 Special Topics in Political Science 3 q.h.

Complete five of the following courses:

CJS 1001 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 q.h.
CJS 1100 Criminal Law 3 q.h.
CJS 1105 Criminal Procedure 3 q.h.
CJS 1110 Introduction to Law 1 3 q.h.
CJS 1115 Juvenile Law 3 q.h.
CJS 2200 Civil Liability 3 q.h.
CJS 1615 Policing in a Democratic Society 3 q.h.
CJS 2104 American Correctional System 3 q.h.
CJS 3510 Probation and Parole 3 q.h.
CJS 2108 Crime Victims 3 q.h.
CJS 2300 Crime Scene Investigation 3 q.h.
CJS 2111 Political Crime and Terrorism 3 q.h.
CJS 2113 Gender, Crime, and Justice 3 q.h.
CJS 2114 Race, Crime, and Justice 3 q.h.
CJS 2115 Understanding the Department of Homeland Security 3 q.h.
ECN 2110 Economics of Crime 3 q.h.
HST 3206 American Constitutional History 1835-1910 3 q.h.
POL 3235 Criminal and Civil Due Process 3 q.h.
POL 2525 Religion and Global Terrorism 3 q.h.

Pre-Law Specialization* (18 q.h.)

Complete one of the following courses:

POL 3200 Current Political Issues 3 q.h.
POL 4983 Special Topics in Political Science 3 q.h.

Complete five of the following courses:

BLW 1001 Business Law 1 3 q.h.
CJS 1001 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 q.h.
CJS 1100 Criminal Law 3 q.h.
CJS 1105 Criminal Procedure 3 q.h.
CJS 1110 Introduction to Law 1 3 q.h.
CJS 1111 Introduction to Law 2 3 q.h.
CJS 1115 Juvenile Law 3 q.h.
CJS 2200 Civil Liability 3 q.h.
HST 3212 The Making of the American Constitution 3 q.h.
HST 3207 American Constitutional History Since 1910 3 q.h.
HST 3208 American Constitutional History 3 q.h.
POL 3130 American Constitutional Law 3 q.h.
POL 2230 Civil Liberties 6 q.h.
POL 3235 Criminal and Civil Due Process 3 q.h.

Public Administration Specialization* (18 q.h.)

Complete one of the following courses:

LDR 1201 Assessing Your Leadership Capability 3 q.h.
MGT 1001 Dynamics of Business 1 3 q.h.
POL 3200 Current Political Issues 3 q.h. 
POL 4983 Special Topics in Political Science 3 q.h. 

Complete five of the following courses:

CJS 3310 Police Operations 3 q.h.
CJS 3410 Police Strategy 3 q.h.
ECN 3360 Managerial Economics 3 q.h.
ESC 1535 Science, Technology, and Society 3 q.h.
FIN 2110 Finance Basics for Managers 3 q.h.
HMG 1001 Managing Health Services Organizations 1 3 q.h.
HRM 2010 Human Resources Management 3 q.h.
HST 3213 Contemporary America 3 q.h.
LDR 1202 Establishing the Framework: What is Leadership? 3 q.h.
MGT 1002 Dynamics of Business 2 3 q.h.
POL 3130 American Constitutional Law 3 q.h.

Public Health Specialization* (18 q.h.)

Complete one of the following courses:

POL 3200 Current Political Issues 3 q.h.
POL 4983 Special Topics in Political Science 3 q.h.

Complete five of the following courses:

BTC 2310 Production Regulatory Affairs, Current Good Manufacturing Practice 3 q.h.
ESC 2015 Disasters, Nature's Violence, and the Human Threat 3 q.h.
ESC 2435 Air Quality and Human Respiratory Problems 3 q.h.
HSC 2100 Public Health 3 q.h.
HSC 2101 Health Issues of Environmental Problems 3 q.h.
HSV 2000 Introduction to Human Services 3 q.h.
POL 2100 Politics of Health in International Development 3 q.h.
SOC 2001 Sociology 2 3 q.h.
SOC 1110 Diversity 3 q.h.
SOC 2425 Social Problems 3 q.h.
SOC 2165 Juvenile Delinquency 3 q.h.
SOC 2160 Drugs and Society 3 q.h.
SOC 2420 Death and Dying 3 q.h.

Political Science Electives (3 q.h.)

Choose any Political Science course

POL 3 q.h.

Non-Business Electives (40-41 q.h.)

Open Electives (25 q.h.)

 

Total Quarter Hours: 160  


*Specializations in this program are recommended groupings of courses designed to provide additional content focus. Students may choose to create their own special focus by selecting other College of Professional Studies courses.

Admissions Requirements

Below are the official Admissions Requirements for this program.

  • Online application
  • Academic transcripts: submit one of the following
    • Official high school degree
    • Official GED
    • Official associate degree showing degree conferral and date
  • Transfer credit documentation: should be submitted with your application material
    • Academic transcripts from each institution you previously attended:
      • Official U.S. transcripts: if you applied previously earned credit toward your earned associate degree, you must request transcripts from each institution you attended.
      • Official foreign transcripts: must include English translation. We encourage you to submit a course-by-course evaluation of your diploma(s) and transcript(s)
    • College-level examinations: official examination score(s)
    • Military evaluation
  • Proof of English language proficiency: ONLY for students for whom English is not their primary language: English language proficiency guidelines

For general admissions information and recommended admissions deadlines, Undergraduate Admissions.

All requirements must be received prior to review.

Tuition

Estimated total tuition for this program is $52,000.00.

Tuition for individual courses is based on the number of quarter hours. Most courses are 3-6 quarter hours. See Undergraduate Tuition Rates for details.

Use our Tuition Calculator below to see if transfer credit or tuition reimbursement from your employer could reduce your total tuition.

Tuition Calculator

Degree Type




Go


Please note: The estimated total tuition is based on tuition rates for Academic Year 2011-12 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time.

Student Profile

Who Will Your Classmates Be?

The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs is appropriate for individuals who are interested in working on public issues and in public organizations at the local, state, and federal level.

As a graduate, you may wish to pursue a career as a public health coordinator, public affairs specialist, government analyst, or policy analyst. However, many policy analyst positions require graduate degrees. The required educational background depends on the employer, the subject being studied, and the analyst’s work experience.

Career Outlook

Put Your Degree to Work

The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs degree program prepares graduates for careers in public service or for advanced study in law, social sciences, or public affairs. The job outlook for public affairs professionals is very good, with companies in highly regulated industries continually seeking skilled professionals who can help align public policy messages.


Request Information
Apply now
Quick Links

Talk to an Enrollment Coach

We can walk you through your program options and the application process.

Call Toll Free:
877.668.7727
Email:
Contact Us
Upcoming Academic Term Dates
  • Spring Term
    April 9, 2012 (6- & 12-week classes)
    May 21, 2012 (6-week classes)
  • Summer Term
    July 2, 2012 (8-, 6-, and 4- week classes)
    July 30, 2012 (4-week classes) 

Academic Calendar

©