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 301 – Institutions of Democratic Policymaking
Examination of how public policy is made in a democratic system.
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.
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Agricultural Policy
Through coursework that combines law, policy, and economics, students in the Agricultural Policy concentration will learn to navigate the agricultural and food systems and understand both the policy environment and commercial realities of producing and marketing agricultural products. This concentration is a collaboration with the Herbert College of Agriculture.
Potential Career Options
- Agricultural Policy Analyst
- Farm Business Advisor
- Research Associate
- Program Manager
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
