Political Science and Public Affairs

The Department of Political Science and Public Affairs (DPSPA) is the home for undergraduate programs in political science and homeland security and emergency management (HSEM). Political science deals with systems of governance, and the analysis of political activities, political thought and political behavior. In general, public affairs refers to the building and development of relations between an organization and politicians, governments, and other decision-makers.

Graduate students may choose the Master of Public Administration (MPA), the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Organizations and Leadership, or the Graduate Certificate in Museum Administration. The MPA program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) and is designed to allow students to earn a degree and a certificate at the same time. In the MPA program, students will gain knowledge needed to successfully manage government and nonprofit organizations including focusing on ethics, human resources, budgeting, and research. More recently, the MPA degree added the Urban Management track option for students with career objectives in the field of urban planning and management.