Public Service and Public Policy, BS
Are you passionate about exploring how government and policy can affect your community? Position yourself in the heart of downtown Phoenix, near the city, county and state government offices where public service happens every day.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Public Service and Public Policy degree description
The Bachelor of Science program in public service and public policy provides comprehensive coverage of topics in public policy, leadership and management.
You learn how to lead and influence change via public organizations and the policy process. You also gain foundational knowledge about democracy, economics and the role of government in society. The program's distinct because it balances theoretical knowledge and a professional focus.
You can select one of the following concentration areas to supplement your core courses. Concentrations must be applied to separately: business, criminology, emergency management and homeland security, health policy, law and policy, or sustainability.
Why study public service and public policy at ASU?
ASU is ranked No. 9 among best public affairs graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report (2026). This flexible degree bends to fit your life, and it's also available fully online.
You can get involved through organizations like the International City/County Management Association, the Emergency Management Student Association, the Student Veterans Association at ASU, and Pi Alpha Alpha.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| PAF 112 Public Service and American Democracy |
| PAF 160 How to Survive the 21st Century |
| PAF 200 Public Service and Policy |
| PAF 201 Economics and Public Policy |
| PAF 300 Public Management and Administration |
| PAF 301 Applied Statistics |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required to change to this program.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
Students in the public service and public policy program work to create policies that advance the public interest. When studying abroad, students gain a better understanding of how government functions at various levels around the world and an understanding of which public policies are beneficial to society and which policies need to be improved upon. Students increase their knowledge and experiential base through study abroad programs to bring about positive change in their own communities.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advocate | 7.4% | $45,930 | Learn more |
| Community Specialist | 5.5% | $56,730 | Learn more |
| General Manager (GM) | 5.0% | $105,770 | Learn more |
| Government Programs Specialist | 1.6% | $54,210 | Learn more |
| Human Behavior Researcher | 5.0% | $61,990 | Learn more |
| Human Resources Specialist (HR Specialist) | 6.4% | $75,940 | Learn more |
| Paralegal Assistant | -0.3% | $72,110 | Learn more |
| Political Analyst | -2.0% | $142,080 | Learn more |
| Politician | Not available | Not available | Learn more |
| Urban Planner | 3.9% | $89,320 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this public service and public policy degree prepares you for
Graduates possess the knowledge and skills to transform government and policy in positions at all levels in city, county, state and federal agencies --- entry, midlevel supervisory and managerial. They are prepared for work in nonprofit organizations and in the private sector at the interface of public affairs and private enterprise. For those who already have work experience, the degree provides further opportunity for promotion.
The public service sector offers sustainable, exciting and fulfilling career options. Graduates are empowered to use knowledge of the public sector as a catalyst to change the world. By understanding the challenges facing government and being well-versed in the development of multiple useful and realistic solutions, graduates contribute to the development of local, national and global communities.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Public Affairs
|
UCENT 400
spa@asu.edu
602-496-0450
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
