Public Affairs (BAPubAff)
Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs
The Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs is an multidisciplinary degree that prepares students for careers in the public, non-profit and private sectors. The major provides students with the substantive knowledge, analytical skills and informed perspectives needed to tackle social problems with innovative public policy solutions that promote the public good. The degree is designed to develop skills in leadership, decision-making, collaboration and team-management; economic, political and statistical analysis; financial management and budgeting; and policy design, evaluation and implementation.
Total Hours Required: 120
Plan of Study
The Plan of Study is a suggested four-year course sequence to support academic planning and serves as a helpful guide. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor to tailor their course selections and timelines to their individual goals and circumstances.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
| UGS 016 | First-Year Interest Group Seminar | 0 |
| First-Year Signature Course (090) | 3 | |
| RHE 306 | Rhetoric and Writing | 3 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| ECO 304K | Introduction to Microeconomics | 3 |
| P A 301 | Foundations of Public Affairs | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| P A 305 | Analysis of Policy Adoption and Implementation | 3 |
| American and Texas Government (070) | 3 | |
| SDS 320E or SDS 302F |
Elements of Statistics or Foundations of Data Analysis |
3 |
| P A 309 | Introductory Topics in Policy | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| U.S. History (060) | 3 | |
| Humanities (040) | 3 | |
| P A 320 | Communication for Public Affairs | 3 |
| P A 325 | Topics in Policy | 3 |
| P A 311N | Quantitative Methods for Public Affairs | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Natural Science and Technology, Part I (030) | 3 | |
| P A 311L | Qualitative Methods for Public Affairs | 3 |
| P A 315 | Economic Analysis for Public Affairs | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| P A 325 | Topics in Policy | 3 |
| P A 136 | Professional Development | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Natural Science and Technology, Part I (030) | 3 | |
| Visual and Performing Arts (050) | 3 | |
| P A 325 or P A 355 |
Topics in Policy or Advanced Topics in Policy Analysis Skills and Methods |
3 |
| Minor/Certificate course | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Natural Science and Technology, Part II (093) | 3 | |
| P A 137 | Leadership Laboratory | 1 |
| P A 345 | Advanced Topics in Policy | 3 |
| Minor/Certificate course | 3 | |
| Minor/Certificate course | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
| Topics in Policy | ||
| Advanced Topics in Policy | ||
| Advanced Topics in Policy Analysis Skills and Methods | ||
| Minor/Certificate course | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| P A 168 | Policy Simulation | 1 |
| Minor/Certificate course | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Requirements
All requirements are listed below, starting with the most specialized moving to the most general. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | ||
| P A 301 | Foundations of Public Affairs | 3 |
| P A 305 | Analysis of Policy Adoption and Implementation | 3 |
| P A 311L | Qualitative Methods for Public Affairs | 3 |
| P A 311N | Quantitative Methods for Public Affairs | 3 |
| P A 315 | Economic Analysis for Public Affairs | 3 |
| P A 136 | Professional Development | 1 |
| P A 137 | Leadership Laboratory | 1 |
| P A 168 | Policy Simulation | 1 |
| P A 320 | Communication for Public Affairs | 3 |
| P A 345 | Advanced Topics in Policy (any topic) | 3 |
| ECO 304K | Introduction to Microeconomics | 3 |
| SDS 302F | Foundations of Data Analysis | 3 |
| or SDS 320E | Elements of Statistics | |
| Hours chosen from: | 12 | |
| Introductory Topics in Policy (any topic) | ||
| Topics in Policy (any topic) | ||
| Advanced Topics in Policy (any topic) | ||
| Advanced Topics in Policy Analysis Skills and Methods (any topic) | ||
| Minor or Certificate | 15 | |
or second major | ||
| Subtotal | 57 | |
| Free electives: Additional coursework to reach total hours required. | 30 | |
| Subtotal | 30 | |
| General Education | ||
| Remaining Core Curriculum (42 hours total) | 33 | |
| Foreign Language other than English, Beginning Proficiency | ||
| Subtotal | ||
| College Requirements - Public Affairs | ||
| General University Requirements | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Additional Requirements and Policy
Two writing courses beyond RHE 306 or its equivalent, including one upper-division course are required.