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Public Service, B.S.

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The Bachelor of Science in Public Service provides you with the professional skills for careers in government and other public service organizations. This major also provides a strong foundation for those who want to continue their education in public service.

Curriculum for this major emphasizes developing professional and analytical skills. Core courses focus on:

  • State and local government
  • Public policy analysis
  • Budgeting and financial management
  • Personnel administration
  • Research methods

You will also take electives, allowing you to pursue your unique interests.

f you are interested in careers in public service you will find this major well-suited for your career ambitions. Our graduates secure jobs in local, state, and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations and the private sector.

4+1 Program Available

With careful planning, you may be able to complete a B.S. in Public Service and a Masters in Public Administration in with only one additional year of study through a 4+1 program. For more information, contact the Political Science department.

Course work for Public Service, B.S.

All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate. For course descriptions, please visit the undergraduate catalog.

  • General Education: 45 credits
  • Major Requirements: 42 credits
  • Free Electives: 33 credits
  • Total Credits to Graduate: 120 credits

The Shippensburg University General Education Program is the university curriculum that is shared by all undergraduate students. Details for courses you will take can be found here.

General Education requirements specific for this major: 

  • Citizenship (S): POLI 100

  • POLI 201 - Foundations of Political Science: Concepts and Critical Analysis 
  • POLI 202 - Applications in Public Affairs 
  • POLI 231 - State and Local Government 
  • POLI 271 - Introduction to Public Administration 
  • POLI 301 - Political Science Research Methods 
  • POLI 399 - Senior Seminar

  • POLI 204 - Introduction to Public Policy
  • POLI 300 - Advanced American Government and Public Policy 
  • POLI 307 - Applied Research in Political Science
  • POLI 312 - The American Presidency 
  • POLI 322 - Interest Groups in American Society 
  • POLI 333 - Applications in State and Local Public Policy 
  • POLI 343 - Global Economic and Political Conflict 
  • POLI 356 - Politics of Developing Regions 
  • POLI 365 - Constitutional Law: The Federal System 
  • POLI 372 - Public Personnel Administration
  • POLI 373 - Public Financial Administration 
  • POLI 374 - Public Service Ethics 
  • POLI 389 - Selected Topics in Public Administration 
  • POLI 395 - Internship I 
  • POLI 396 - Internship II 
  • ITAN 142 - Business Computer Systems 
  • GEOG 202 - GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 

Note: Internship - The department strongly encourages students to complete an internship. To qualify for an internship, a student must have a 2.0 overall QPA and a 2.3 QPA in the public administration major. Students must have completed the following courses to be eligible for an internship: POLI 100, POLI 201, POLI 231, POLI 271, POLI 300, and POLI 301. A student can count a maximum of six internship credits toward the major.

  • Select any two Political Science courses, one of which must be at the 300-level or higher.

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Contact the Political Science Department

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