School of Public & Environmental Affairs (SPEA) Undergraduate Programs Office (UPO)

1. School of Public & Environmental Affairs (SPEA) Undergraduate Programs Office (UPO) Orientation: Welcome to SPEA!

2. What is SPEA? • Public Affairs: • Studies matters of general interest or concern, esp. those dealing with current social or political issues. (Dictionary.com ) • Includes public policy, policy studies, and public administration. (Google Web Definition) • Government or forms of government • Security • Regulation and deregulation: • public health, pollution, emissions trading, industrial policy, etc. • Budget • Management • Environmental Affairs: • Studies the management of interactions of human societies with, and impact upon, the environment. (Google Web Definition) • Includes: • Science (defining environment) • Politics (networking) • Programs (projects) • Resources (money, facilities, etc.)

3. SPEA Stands Apart • Smart Policy. Sound Science. Stronger Communities. • SPEA was founded in response to the needs and problems of modern society—needs that were not being addressed by other more traditional schools such as business, arts and sciences, or political science. Our scope is wide and crosses multiple traditional disciplines. • A public or environmental affair is an issue or problem that affects the quality of life on this planet for its citizens. (What is SPEA? ) • In most universities across the country, the topics SPEA encompasses would be divided among several different schools and majors. SPEA at IU combines many of these topics into one comprehensive school with different major foci. • Nationally, few schools offer undergraduate degrees in SPEA’s topical areas. At most universities, studies in these areas are restricted to post-undergraduate work. • Thus, the industry standard for the areas of study in which SPEA offers Bachelor’s degrees is for a professional to have completed a Master’s or Doctorate degree.

4. SPEA: Top-Ranked Programs* • Public Affairs Overall: Ranked # 2; # 1 for Public Universities • Environmental Management: # 1 • Nonprofit Management: # 1 • Public Finance : # 3 • Public Management : # 3 *The rankings above are based upon SPEA’s Graduate Programs, not the Undergraduate Programs. There are so few undergraduate programs in SPEA’s areas that no agency ranks these undergraduate programs. SPEA’s unique combination of public affairs and environmental affairs makes comparisons among similar program even more problematic.  For these reasons, the Graduate Programs’ rankings are the closest measurement undergraduate programs have. All rankings are cited in US News & World Report, 2012 and refer to SPEA’s graduate program in public affairs. US News & World Report

5. SPEA Degrees & Majors • Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs (BSPA) • Environmental Management: Study of environmental issues and their effect on society • Legal Studies: Impact of the law in making and implementing public policy • Management: Management of resources in government, nonprofit, and business organizations • Policy Analysis: Implementation and analysis of public policy • Public Financial Management: Management of public expenditures and revenue generation • Public and Nonprofit Management: • Public Management: Management of resources in government organizations • Nonprofit Management: Management of resources in nonprofit organizations

6. SPEA Degrees & Majors • Bachelor of Science in Public Health(BSPH) • Health Administration: Management of resources in health care organizations • Bachelor of Science in Arts Management(BSAM) • Arts Management: Management of resources in art and music related organizations • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (BSES) • Environmental Science: Scientific study of natural resources and ecosystems (Individualized Major) • Co-administered with College of Arts and Sciences • Rigorous science curriculum • Careers in environmental science or graduate studies in science

7. SPEA Minors & Certificates • Minors • All SPEA minors require five courses (15 credit hours). Students completing a SPEA major and minor may count up to two courses (6 credit hours) for both the major and minor. • Environmental Management • Environmental Science and Health • Health Systems Administration • Human Resources • Information Systems • Legal Studies • Management • Nonprofit Management • Policy Studies • Public and Environmental Affairs (Not allowed for students pursuing SPEA majors) • Public Finance • Certificates • Certificate requirements carry from 15 to 27 credit hours. Students completing a SPEA major and certificate may count two courses (6 credit hours) for both the major and certificate. • Arts Administration – 21 cr hrs • Environmental Studies – 27 cr hrs • Nonprofit Management – 15 cr hrs • Public Affairs – 27 cr hrs • Public Health – 18 cr hrs • Public Management – 18 cr hrs • Urban Studies – 24 cr hrs • American Humanics – 20 cr hrs (8 courses)

8. SPEA Opportunities • Overseas Study (OVST) • SPEA Sponsored : • Short summer programs • SPEA major coursework often available • 3-6 credit hours • Previous locations include: Germany, Kenya, Korea, United Kingdom, Spain, Vietnam • $1,000 - $2,000 scholarships available to SPEA students • Need approximately 3.0 cumulative GPA • Non-SPEA Sponsored: IU & Non-IU Programs • Full semester & full year programs • Plan well in advance • Rarely find SPEA major coursework • General education & elective credit readily available • Discuss and plan these with a SPEA academic advisor

9. SPEA Opportunities • IU in Washington:Washington Leadership Program • Register for 12 credit hours for the semester • Internship: Work 4 full days a week as an entry level professional (6 credit hours) • This can count for your SPEA required internship • Gain 6 credit hours of SPEA major coursework • Must be a junior or senior to be accepted into the program • Competitive, application-based program

10. SPEA Opportunities • SPEA Honors Program • Invited to join if you have: • 3.5 Cumulative GPA • 3.5 SPEA GPA • 3+ semesters remaining until graduation • Included course work for Honors: • 3 SPEA honors courses • Honors thesis • Benefits: • SPEA Honors notation on your degree • Advanced course work and opportunities for in-depth research projects with SPEA faculty • Automatic admission to SPEA’s Overseas Study Programs (Students must still complete program applications)

11. SPEA Opportunities • SPEA Student Organizations • SPEA Undergraduate Student Association (SPEA USA) • Student organization that promotes interaction among students, faculty, and alumni. • improve the undergraduate experience • provide opportunities for leadership, friendship, and involvement (SPEA USA ) • Indiana Health Student Association (IHSA) • Organization for public health majors or for anyone interested in current trends in the health care industry.(IHSA)