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Public Service Minor

Open to Any Major

18 Credits

The public service minor provides you with the professional skills for careers in government and other public service organizations. This minor also provides you with a foundation if you want to continue your education in public service.

Classes emphasizes developing professional and personal skills applicable to careers and post-graduate education in public service. There are a number of elective courses that allow you to pursue your personal interests. Areas of study include leadership, management and budgeting.

Students interested in careers in public service will find the program well-suited for their career ambitions. Our graduates secure jobs in local, state and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector.

Outside of class, you may join the Political Science Club to connect and engage in the debate about politics and current events. Members of the club organize and participate in non-partisan political activities, take field trips to Washington, D.C., and become involved in fun events relating to the world of politics.

Course Work for Public Service Minor

The undergraduate Public Service minor provides students with an understanding of public management, public policy, government institutions, and applied workforce skills. 

Students learn how to analyze situations and events, draw conclusions, and communicate their findings clearly. Public Service students think critically, speak clearly, and write effectively, and learn in a friendly, supportive, and nonpartisan atmosphere.

Our graduates go on to work in and around public administration, nonprofit management, and politics because our program emphasizes transferable skills that are valuable in any profession.

Visit the catalog for course descriptions.

Required (9 Credits):

  • POLI 100 - U.S. Government and Politics
  • POLI 231 - State and Local Government 
  • POLI 271 - Introduction to Public Administration 

Public Service Electives (6 Credits) choose 2:

Note: Students must take at least two Political Science courses at the 300 level or above.

  • POLI 204 - Introduction to Public Policy
  • POLI 333 - Applications in State and Local Public Policy 
  • POLI 356 - Politics of Developing Regions 
  • POLI 372 - Public Personnel Administration
  • POLI 373 - Public Financial Administration 
  • POLI 374 - Public Service Ethics 
  • POLI 389 - Selected Topics in Public Administration 

Elective (3 Credits):

  • Students must select one public service or political science course at the 300 level to fulfill this requirement.

Students enrolled in the Political Science major may only count 6 credits from the following courses towards both the Public Service minor and Political Science major: POLI 100, POLI 231 or POLI 271.

Contact the Political and Social Inquiry

Grove Hall, Room 424 1871 Old Main Drive Shippensburg, PA 17257 Phone: 717-477-1718