Public Affairs, BSPAF
Grounded in the legacy of Howard Baker, the Huntsville, Tenn. native, Senate Majority Leader, White House chief of staff, and U.S. ambassador to Japan, is our inspiration. Honoring his legacy, we teach students to rise above “politics as usual” to effect change.
Program overview
The Bachelors of Science in Public Affairs (BSPAF) is a degree program designed to prepare students to be part of the solution through professional careers or advanced study in public administration, public policy, data analytics, or political communication.
The program aspires to produce graduates who are literate in the field of public affairs and possess the foundational skills to pursue careers as effective public servants and creative problem solvers.
Why study Public Affairs?
The Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs is a degree program designed to teach students the art and science of public problem-solving. The Public Affairs degree prepares students for careers leading civic-minded organizations, as an elected official, or in a variety of policy fields, including law, energy, health, national security, and the environment.
Beyond prerequisites and volunteer core requirements, the major consists of 45 hours, which includes 30 hours of core classes, a minimum of 3 hours in professional development, and 12 hours in one of the Baker School’s concentrations.
What can you do with a BS in Public Affairs after graduation?
Through specialization in one of our 12 concentrations and engagement in experiential learning, our graduates are prepared for careers in the public sector, including all levels of government, in non-profits, and within private organizations that interface with the government. A degree in Public Affairs can lead to careers and positions like:
- Government Relations Manager
- Political Research Analyst
- Legislative Assistant
- Foreign Affairs Specialist
- Attorney (after completing a JD)
- Intelligence Analyst
- City Manager
- Congressional Staffer
- Policy Advisor
- Advocacy Manager
- Data Analyst
- Non-Profit Leader
- Campaign Manager
Many of our students pair the public affairs degree with a minor, double major, or dual degree in departments like economics, political science, finance, and communications. Combine your interest in a variety of areas with policy to enhance your career opportunities. If interested, please contact your Baker School advisor.
Featured Courses
HBS 301 – Thinking Analytically
Development of analytical thinking based on data collection, analysis, and interpretation, including an overview of basic econometrics frameworks and techniques.
HBS 303 – National Challenges
Exploration of national challenges and public policy solutions.
HBS 304 – State and Local Challenges
Exploration of state and local challenges and public policy solutions.
IAC 401 – The Art of the Possible
Conflict, communication, consensus building, and compromise in public policymaking. Emphasis on case studies.
Concentrations
Beyond prerequisites and volunteer core requirements, the major consists of 45 hours, which includes 30 hours of core classes, a minimum of 3 hours in professional development, and 12 hours in one of the following concentrations:
Agricultural Policy
Description forthcoming.
Courses
- AREC 313 Agricultural Law
- AREC 331 Agricultural Commodity Policy
- AREC 332 Food Policy
- AREC 350 The Food and Agricultural Marketing System
Economic and Community Development
A partnership with the Department of Economics, the Economic and Community Development concentration provides students with the tools to evaluate decisions by local, state, and federal governments in managing economic growth and in providing goods and services for the public interest. Students are well-equipped to work at the intersection of public policy and private industry, helping make public policy more effective and individuals and private entities more successful.
Courses
- ECON 311 Intermediate Microeconomics
- HBS 461 Tools for Economic Development
- ECON 471 Public Finance: Expenditure Analysis
- ECON 472 Taxation and Fiscal Federalism
Potential Career Options
- Policy Analyst
- Chamber of Commerce Representative
- Housing Analyst
- Real Estate Analyst
- Budget Analyst
- Government Relations Manager
Energy Policy
Energy Policy Concentration students are prepared to evaluate the strategies and tradeoffs in energy policy decisions and to understand their impacts. Students are grounded in Baker core coursework on government, economics, and public policy, while the concentration combines the technologies, markets, economics, and real-world considerations of energy policy decisions. Students are prepared to assess how energy policies will impact the environment, energy reliability, energy costs, and various stakeholders in the policy process.
Courses
- GEOG 346 Energy, Governance, and Sustainability
- ECON 362 Environmental and Natural Resource Policy
- HBS 424 Energy Markets and Economics
- HBS 443 Energy Transitions
Potential Career Options
- Energy Policy Advisor
- Government Relations Manager
- Energy Policy Analyst
- Budget Analyst
- Program Manager
Environmental Policy
Managing natural resources and the environment in a world of economic growth is a complex challenge. This concentration combines expertise from the Departments of Geography, Economics, and Agricultural and Resource Economics to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the environmental and sustainability considerations in managing land, transportation, population, energy, and other aspects of economic development.
Potential Career Options
- Policy Advisor
- Government Relations Manager
- Environmental Policy Analyst
- Sustainability Research Associate
- Budget Analyst, Program Manager
- Sustainability Coordinator
Government Relations
Students in the Government Relations concentration are prepared to serve as liaisons between government and private businesses or between government and the nonprofit sector. The coursework emphasizes persuasion, crisis communication, and media. This concentration is a collaboration with the College of Communication and Information.
Courses
- CMST 342 Survey of Organizational Communication
- JMED 366 Media and Democracy
- PBRL 430 Crisis Communication
- CMST 449 Political Persuasion
Prerequisite
- CMST 201 Introduction to Communications Studies
Potential Career Options
- Government Relations Manager
- Public Affairs Specialist
- Lobbyist
- Advocacy Manager
- External Affairs Specialist
- Government Affairs Specialist
Health Policy
Students in the Health Policy concentration learn about the key issues, institutions, and actors in America’s healthcare system and provides a toolkit for evaluating the system’s performance and efficiency. This concentration prepares students to work in health policy within the public sector, for nonprofits seeking to affect health policy, or for healthcare companies in the private sector. This concentration is a collaboration with the Haslam College of Business and the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.
Courses
- ECON 311 Intermediate Microeconomics
- PUBH 400 Comparative Health Systems
- PUBH 420 Environmental Public Health
- ECON 436 Economics of Health and Health Care
Prerequisite
- PUBH 201 Introduction to Public Health
Potential Career Options
- Health Policy Advisor
- Government Relations Manager
- Health Policy Analyst
- Budget Analyst
- Healthcare Entrepreneur
- Program Manager
- Hospital Administrator
Law and Policy
A partnership with the College of Law, this concentration gives students the opportunity to explore the intersection of public policy and law, with a focus on the American legal system. Students in this concentration have a chance to experience courses similar to those in a standard law graduate curriculum, giving them an early indicator on their aptitude for a career in law.
Courses
- IAC 302 American Legal System
- IAC 303 Legal Research and Writing
- IAC 404 Crime, Law, and Justice
- IAC 405 Civil Law and Justice
Potential Career Options
- Attorney
- Prosecutor
- Public Defender
- General Counsel
- Law Enforcement Agent
- Criminal Justice Specialist
- Regulator, Judge
- Elected Public Official
- Judicial Advocate
National Security
The National Security concentration focuses on policy decisions surrounding U.S. national security and foreign policy. Students examine the role of the United States in the world through various lenses and can evaluate the impact of national security policy decisions and strategies on domestic priorities and global affairs.
Courses
- POLS 366 United States Foreign Policy Process
- PHIL 441 Global Justice and Human Rights
- IAC 413 The Military in American Democracy
- HBS 452 U.S. National Security
Potential Career Options
- National Security Analyst
- Foreign Service Officer
- Intelligence Operative
- Intelligence Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Policy Analyst
- Legislative Coordinator
- Research Associate
Nuclear Policy
The Nuclear Policy concentration focuses on policy decisions surrounding nuclear security, deterrence, and nonproliferation. Students examine the role of nuclear weapons and nuclear materials in national security policy decisions and strategies and the prevention and causes of armed conflict.
Courses
- HBS 452 U.S. National Security
- HBS 454 Nuclear Security
- HBS 455 Nuclear Weapons
- HBS 456 Nuclear Policy and Deterrence
Potential Career Options
- National Security Analyst
- Nuclear Lab Researcher
- Customs Officer
- Foreign Service Officer
- Arms Control Negotiator
- Intelligence Operative/Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Defense Contractor
- Lawyer
- Project Manager
- Military Officer
- Policy Analyst
- Research Associate
Policy Analytics
Policy Analytics Students learn how to use data to provide insights and solutions to public problems. With intense additional training in economics and in data analysis and visualization, these students are prepared to analyze public policy problems using cutting edge techniques and to communicate their insights to a broad audience.
Courses
- ECON 311 Intermediate Microeconomics
- ECON 381 Introduction to Econometrics
- HBS 481 Policy Lab I
- HBS 482 Policy Lab II
Prerequisite
One of the following:
- MATH 125 Basic Calculus
- MATH 141 Calculus I
- MATH 142 Calculus II
Potential Career Options
- Data Analyst
- Policy Analyst
- Legislative Coordinator
- Research Associate
Political Communication
This concentration, which is a collaboration with the College of Communication and Information, is for students interested in the communications side of public policy. Grounded in the Baker School core curriculum on economics, politics, public policy, and civics, political communication concentration students are prepared to communicate policy decisions, political positions, or to drive campaigns for public office.
Courses
- JMED 200 Multimedia Writing
- CMST 342 Survey of Organizational Communication
- PBRL 400 Ethical and Legal Issues in Public Relations
- CMST 449 Political Persuasion
Prerequisite
- CMST 201 Introduction to Communications Studies
Potential Career Options
- Campaign Manager
- Policy Advisor
- Policy Communications Manager
- Data Visualization Manager
- Public Relations Specialist
- Political Media Relations
Public Management
With a toolkit consisting of financial, accounting, and human resources management, along with coursework on navigating differences in the workplace, this concentration prepares students to take leadership roles in public organizations or in nonprofit organizations. Students leave this set of courses prepared to lead effective and efficient governmental and nonprofit organizations. This concentration is in partnership with the Haslam College of Business.
Courses
- ACT 200 Foundations of Accounting
- FINC 300 Fundamentals of Finance
- HBS 434 Public Organization, Theory, and Behavior
- HBS 435 Leading Across Difference
Prerequisite
- MGT 201 Introduction to Business Management for Non-Majors
Potential Career Options
- City Manager
- Nonprofit Leader
- Budget Analyst
- Program Manager
- Public Finance Analyst
- Economic Development Manager.
Complementary minors
These minors can help you build complementary skills, explore related interests, and broaden your academic experience. The options below highlight a selection of strong pairings, though other minors may also be a great fit depending on your interests and goals.
Admissions and Aid
Choosing the right university to pursue a public affairs degree is an important decision—and a significant investment. We want to make sure that you have the information you need to both apply and make attending UT affordable.
