Baruch Collge

Undergraduate Bulletin - Academic Programs and Courses

Public Affairs Program


The Faculty

    Professors:
  • Stan Altman
  • Nancy Aries (Executive Director of Academic Programs)
  • Neil Bennett (Director of the CUNY Institute for Demographic Research)
  • David Birdsell (Dean)
  • John Goering
  • James F. Guyot
  • Sanders D. Korenman
  • Frederick S. Lane
  • John McGarraghy
  • Jerry Mitchell
  • Douglas Muzzio
  • E.S. Savas (Presidential Professor)
  • Shoshana Sofaer (Robert P. Luciano Chair of Health Care Policy)
  • Neil Sullivan
    Associate Professors:
  • Mosen Auryan
  • Deborah Balk
  • John Casey
  • Greg Chen
  • Michael Feller
  • Diane Gibson
  • Karl Kronebusch
  • Thomas J. Main
  • Kenneth L. Marcus (Lillie and Nathan Ackerman Visiting Professor of Equality and Justice in America)
  • Nicole P. Marwell
  • Dahlia Remler
  • Dorothy Shipps
  • Robert C. Smith
  • Ryan Alan Smith
  • Lynne Weikart
  • Daniel Williams
    Assistant Professors:
  • Linda A. Bailey
  • Hilary Botein
  • Bin Chen
  • Jennifer Goldstein
  • David Hoffman
  • Judith Kafka
  • Sarah Ryan
    Distinguished Lecturers:
  • Micheline Blum (Director of Baruch Survey Research Unit)
  • Stephen DiBrienza
  • Paul Firstenberg
  • Florence H. Frucher
  • Lizabeth N. Gewirtzman
  • Sonia R. Jarvis
  • James A. Krauskopf (Director of Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management)
  • Frank Mickens
  • Helen A. Scharff

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Field Description

Public policy decisions have a profound impact on our daily lives and the life of our neighborhoods, state, and country. Students in public affairs gain a broad understanding of the mechanics of public policy formulation, legitimization, implementation, evaluation, and modification. They learn the ins and outs of public and nonprofit institutions and the up-to-the-minute problem-solving techniques and tools public affairs specialists use.

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The Major

The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs provides students with a broad background in the analytical and managerial practices used in the public sector. The degree is sound preparation for public service or for graduate study in a variety of fields.With the program’s particular emphasis on nonprofit and governmental organizations, students learn both the theories that shape our understanding of public institutions and the practical, day-to-day realities of governance and service delivery. Students take five required courses and one elective course as part of the core curriculum in public affairs. Three electives are then chosen in consultation with an advisor to form a specialization. Students are strongly encouraged to complete an internship: the School of Public Affairs makes available many internship opportunities with governmental and nonprofit organizations throughout the city. A capstone seminar toward the end of the academic program pulls together the entire course of study.

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 8 courses (24 credits) with a overall 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 and POL 2332.
                                                   OR
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.

Required Courses                                                                18 credits
PAF 3005 Public Affairs in New York City
3 credits
PAF 3015 Qualitative Studies of Communities 3 credits
PAF 3102 Economic Analysis and Public Policy
 3 credits
PAF 3201 Public Communication and Organizations
 3 credits
PAF 3401

Quantitative Methods for Policy and Practice

3 credits
PAF 4401 Seminar in Public Affairs 3 credits


Elective Courses                                                                   12 credits
PAF 3000 level or above courses approved by advisor 6-12 credits
WSAS or ZSB 3000 level or above courses approved by advisor 3-6 credits
 

 

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The Minor

Students interested in a minor in public affairs should consult the Office of Student Services in the School of Public Affairs.

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Special Program

The School of Public Affairs maintains an undergraduate honors program, and students who are interested are encouraged to contact the School’s Office of Student Services.

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