Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs

The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs (BSPA) is a unique and exciting program in policy, non-profit and government. The program offers a set of five core courses that focus on New York City as a laboratory, qualitative and quantitative methods, economic analysis and public communication. These courses prepare the student to participate in analysis and decision-making in the public, not-profit or private sectors. Skills such as analyzing data, organizing people, developing and evaluating plans, speaking in public to groups and negotiating and budgeting are learned in this major. The BSPA gives students a sound foundation to continue their studies in a Masters program after several years of experience in a public or public-oriented organization.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Career opportunities range from supervising a city parks and recreation program to being an urban planner, to an intelligence officer (CIA, FBI), to journalist to a foreign service officer. Forty percent of all graduates from this major work as mid- or top-level managers, administrators, or executives in the non-profit sector. Fifty percent work in similar positions in business and industry. One in ten work in protective servies such as law enforcement, fire, or the military. Nearly 80% of graduates state that an integral part of their jobs is performing administrative, financial, and legal or accounting duties, with 50% of graduates stating that personnel and employee related duties are also integral to their positions. .

PI ALPHA ALPHA HONOR SOCIETY
Membership to the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society (PAA) is by invitation only. Membership is granted to students who are in at least the last semester or quarter of their junior year; have completed five upper-level Public Affairs major courses, have maintained a 3.5 gpa in those courses, and a 3.0 cumulative gpa. An annual induction ceremony for new members is held in the spring. Click here to view the list of the 2007 PAA Inductees.

THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS SOCIETY (PAS)
The purpose of this club is to provide undergraduate students who are interested in Public Affairs the opportunity to learn more about the field, academically and professionally. The club aims to let students interested in Public Affairs meet one another and foster a better understanding of the major to the general student body by hosting events relevant to the field. To learn more about this club, please e-mail The Public Affairs Society.The Public Affairs Society will be hosting a discussion with Rosie Mendez, Councilmember in Manhattan's Second District, on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 from 5:15pm - 6:00pm, VC 2-125. To RSVP, please email here. Rosie will speak about her experience in the non-profit sector and the city council. She began as a tenant organizer, and then became a housing specialist at the Parodneck Foundation. In 1995 she graduated from law school and went to work as an IOLA Legal Services Fellow at Brooklyn Legal Services. As a legal staff worker she became a member of the United Auto Workers Union. Prior to her election to the Council, Rosie was the Democratic District Leader for her community and served as the Chief of Staff to her predecessor in the City Council.

American Humanics is a national alliance of over 75 colleges and universities and more than 50 nonprofit organizations whose mission is to educate, prepare, and certify professionals to strengthen and lead nonprofit organizations. The American Humanics program at Baruch College leads to certification after student members have completed a course of study and experiential learning opportunities that help them develop competencies required to be successful leaders in the nonprofit sector.



MAJOR ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
As of April 2007, the Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs has two sets of criteria for admission into the program.

1. Completion of the following 9 courses with a gpa of at least 2.5: PUB 1250, ENG 2100, ENG 2150, STA 2100 (or STA 2000), any 2000-level math course, ECO 1001, COM 1010, CIS 2200 and POL 2332.

2. Completion of any 48 credits hours that include PUB 1250, ENG 2100, ENG 2150, STA 2100 (or STA 2000), and any 2000-level math course, and an overall gpa of 2.25.

NOTE: ECO 1002 and LAW 1101 are NOT required for admission into the BSPA. Students should take PUB 1250 NOT POL 1101 for their common core. PUB 1250 is required. However, if students have already taken POL 1101, they may be waived from the PUB 1250 requirement.

3. Once these requirements have been met, students should fill out the online Eligibility Review for Your Major form. Once they have been approved for the major, they may declare their major officially (086) and begin taking major courses.

Please see Undergraduate Advisement for more detailed information about this major or to find out how to apply for Credit Overload.

MAJOR COURSES--The BSPA major is 30 credits total comprised of 5 core "required" courses, 4 "elective" courses and 1 "Seminar in Public Affairs" (PAF 4401).

Optional Electives from WSAS or ZSB
Optional Electives

SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, AWARDS & INTERNSHIPS
23rd Street Association Scholarship
The 23rd Street Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding Public Affairs major who demonstrates not only academic excellence but also an involvement in community service.

Fellowships
The New York City Urban Fellows Program
The Urban Fellows Program is for those seriously considering a career in public service. The Program is a nine-month fellowship that combines work in Mayoral offices and City agencies with an intensive seminar. To be eligible an applicant must be a recent college graduate (no more than two years out of college) and prepared to participate in the program on a full-time basis for one academic year. The annual deadline is in the fall. Please see www.nyc.gov for more information.

Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program (PPIA)
PPIA is an intensive seven-week summer program that focuses on preparing students for graduate programs in public policy and international affairs. Please see www.ppia.org for full details. The annual deadline for PPIA is in March.

Awards
The Aaron Zweifach Memorial Award
The Zweifach Award ($250) is awarded to the graduating senior specializing in Public Affairs who has achieved the best academic record and participated significantly in the activities of Baruch College. The recipient is chosen by the Public Affairs Faculty Committee.

Internships
The School of Public Affairs encourages our students to seek an internship through Baruch's Career Development Center. There are many organizations in New York and beyond that use these skills and actively seek out qualified interns. Some of these include the New York City Independent Budget Office, both houses of the New York State Legislature, and the many nonprofit organizations based in New York City. The best internships are well-conceived ahead of time and matched to each student’s academic program. The following criteria apply: