The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective.
Public Affairs
cas.vancouver.wsu.edu/public-affairs
Multimedia Classroom Building (VMMC) 202
360-546-9640
Academic Director, Professor P. Narayanan; Associate Professor and Program Leader, A. Lopez; Professors A. Maclean, T. Tripp; Associate Professors L. Drapela, K. DuBois, C. Long, M. Stephan, P. Thiers
The Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs seeks to develop critical thinking about political and social values and develop the ability to conduct objective analysis of political processes and institutions. The degree program is designed to educate people for careers in public and nonprofit agencies and to prepare students for graduate or law school. The program's multidisciplinary perspective provides for the blending of theory, methodology, and experience in an academically rigorous degree format.
Schedules of Studies
Honors students complete the Honors College requirements which replace the UCORE requirements.
Public Affairs (Vancouver only) (120 Credits)
Admission Requirements
For admission to the Public Affairs major, students must have an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher. Once admitted, all students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 or they will be released from the major.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Biological Sciences [BSCI] with lab1 | 4 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| Foreign Language, if necessary, or Elective | 3 |
| Humanities [HUM] | 3 |
| POL S 101 [SSCI] | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
| Foreign Language, if necessary, or Elective | 3 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Physical Sciences [PSCI] with lab1 | 4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] | 3 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
| POL S 300 | 3 |
| POL S 316 | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Communication [COMM] or Written Communication [WRTG] | 3 |
| Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| POL S 340 | 3 |
| Electives | 7 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Minor Elective2 | 3 |
| PA Elective3 | 6 |
| SOC 320 | 3 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| PA Elective3 | 6 |
| POL S 432 [M] | 3 |
| SOC 321 | 4 |
| Electives | 2 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Integrative Capstone [CAPS] | 3 |
| Minor Elective2 | 6 |
| PA Elective3 | 3 |
| POL S 442 [M] | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Minor Elective2 | 9 |
| 300-400-level Electives | 3 |
Footnotes
| 1 | To meet College of Arts and Sciences requirements, students must complete 1 additional lab credit of [BSCI] or [PSCI] for a total of 8 credits (2 labs). |
| 2 | A minor is recommended, but not required. The minor must total 16 to 18 semester hours, including at least six credits of upper-division course work, and must be in an area other than criminal justice or political science. |
| 3 | PA Electives – 15 semester hours required in one of three concentration options: 1) Justice Studies: Two courses from CRM J 320, 330, and POL S 402; one course from SOC 360, 361, 362, and 367; and two courses from CRM J 370, 400 [M], 403, 420 [M], 424, 426, 428, 450 [M], 490, POL S 381, 404 [M], 405, SOC 340, and 461; 2) Public Administration & Management: Two courses from POL S 443, 445, and 446; three courses from HISTORY 415, 418, POL S 305, 400, 447 [M], 450 [M], 497 (Washington State Legislative Internship only), and SOC 343; or 3) Public Policy & Politics: Two courses from POL S 416, 417, 420, and 497 (Washington State Legislative Internship only); three courses from HISTORY 409, 415, 418, 419, POL S 305, 314, 317, 400, 404 [M], 410, 427, 430, 436, 448, 450 [M], 455, 497, SOC 332, 340, and 384. |
Courses
The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective. Courses showing two entries of the same number indicate that the course information is changing. The most recently approved version is shown first, followed by the older version, in gray, with its last-effective term preceding the course title. Courses shown in gray with only one entry of the course number are being discontinued. Course offerings by term can be accessed by clicking on the term links when viewing a specific campus catalog.
Public Health (PUBHLTH)
101 [HUM] Introduction to Public Health 3 History and philosophy of public health as well as its core values, concepts and functions across the globe and in societies.
105 Professional Development in Public Health 3 Exploration of careers and professional skills in public health.
105 (Effective through Summer 2025) Careers in Public Health 3 Exploration of careers in public health with faculty.
- Public Affairs
Courses
- Public Health
Schedules of Studies
- Public Affairs (Vancouver only)