BS Public Affairs
ADMISSION
New students can select their major when they apply for admission to the University of Arizona. Continuing students can declare a Public Affairs major by completing an online “Change of Major” session. sgpp.arizona.edu/declare
MAJOR OVERVIEW
The Public Affairs major prepares students for managerial and administrative positions in local, state, or federal government agencies. It also serves to prepare students for careers in regional, national and international nonprofit organizations. Students learn core skills related to leadership and ethics, public and nonprofit management, and public policy formation. The Public Affairs major also provides valuable preparation for graduate study in law, environmental management, community planning, public administration and public policy fields.
MAJOR CONCENTRATIONS
Students may choose from a variety of concentrations within the public affairs major. These concentrations are taught by qualified and experienced faculty who are experts in their fields:
• Environmental Policy
• Public Management
• Public Policy Visit sgpp.arizona.edu for more information.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Public affairs majors are required to complete an internship as part of their major. We grant academic credit for internships served in governmental and nonprofit agencies and other public institutions. Our SGPP Internship Coordinator assists students in planning and completing internships. Previous students have interned with:
• Tucson Chamber of Commerce
• Pima County Attorney’s Office
• Public Defender’s Office
• International Rescue Committee
• United Nations Association of Southern Arizona
• Habitat for Humanity
• Department of State in Washington D.C. and abroad
• Congressional Offices
• The White House
Check out the The Washington Center Internship to live in D.C. over the summer and participate in an internship related to policy, politics, or law.
Visit sgpp.arizona.edu/washington-centerinternship for more information.
INTERNSHIP BENEFITS
• Apply knowledge from the classroom to professional situations
• Assess skills and abilities in a professional setting and narrow areas of interest
• Network and secure connections for future employment
• Build experience that can be reflected on a professional resume
CAREERS
A major in public affairs will help you qualify for many different careers in public sector organizations, including:
• Law enforcement
• National Security
• Local, state and federal government
• Nonprofit organizations
• Environmental policy
• Healthcare policy
Many of our graduates have attained positions in local, state, and federal government agencies, nonprofit organizations, political campaigns and offices, and businesses. Our graduates have also gone on to attain advanced degrees in law, public policy, sociology, public administration, social work, and political science.
STUDY ABROAD & TRAVEL
Many public affairs students study abroad. Choose from 60 UA programs and countless UA-affiliated or non-UA affiliated programs.
Consult with an advisor at least 9 months prior to departure to ensure course applicability. Visit international.arizona.edu/study-abroad for more information.
Check out the American University’s Washington Semester Program for a unique opportunity to be part of a global network of doers, thinkers, innovators, and change-makers.
Visit sgpp.arizona.edu/study-abroad/ washington-semester for more information.
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