Public Service and Public Policy (Business), BS
Step into leadership roles that connect public policy, government and the business world through this business concentration. Prepare to lead confidently in roles where these worlds intersect.
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.
Public Service and Public Policy (Business) degree description
The School of Public Affairs offers a concentration in business as part of the Bachelor of Science program in public service and public policy.
This concentration establishes the links among the corporate world and the public sector by blending public policy and business strategy. You are empowered with a robust skill set essential for leadership roles in today's global landscape. You master economic principles, strategic decision-making and advanced policy analysis by engaging in practical applications while navigating policy formulation, implementation and evaluation in governmental agencies.
Why specialize in business at ASU?
You learn in ASU's Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions through the School of Public Affairs, which U.S. News & World Report ranks No. 9 in the nation for public affairs graduate programs (2026).
Additional details
If you want to broaden your path, consider pursuing concurrent degrees, also known as a double major, which lets you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can design your own concurrent degree combination, though some pairings aren't possible because of heavy curriculum overlap.
An accelerated bachelor's plus master's option is built for high-achieving students who want to share undergraduate and graduate coursework, letting you earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
You may also want to explore student organizations tied to public service and public affairs, including 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 seeking in-depth knowledge of the public sector related to agencies that conduct business in various capacities can benefit from studying abroad. Many programs focus on topics such as urban sustainability, challenges to a country's economy and governmental issues so students can see the concepts they have learned through a distinct cultural lens.
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 receive 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 |
| Compliance Manager | 4.9% | $141,900 | Learn more |
| Distribution Center Manager | 6.1% | $107,230 | Learn more |
| General Manager (GM) | 5.0% | $105,770 | Learn more |
| Government Programs Specialist | 1.6% | $54,210 | Learn more |
| Office Manager | 5.2% | $114,130 | Learn more |
| Political Analyst | -2.0% | $142,080 | Learn more |
| Politician | 4.9% | Not available | Learn more |
| Regulatory Affairs Manager | 4.9% | $141,900 | 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 with a business concentration prepares you for
This BS program in public service and public policy is preparation for entry- and midlevel supervisory and managerial positions in city, county, state and federal agencies. Graduates are prepared for work in nonprofit organizations and in the private sector at the interface of public affairs and private enterprise. They have the skills to be entrepreneurs in any sector, with career opportunities as diverse as small towns and Fortune 500 companies. For those who already have work experience, the degree provides further opportunity for promotion.
This business concentration prepares those with an interest in policy to focus on business issues and their policy implications.
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.
