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Public Service and Public Policy (Health Policy), BS

Explore how government and policy shape healthcare at the local, state and national levels through this program. You'll build expertise that prepares you for in-demand careers in health policy and administration.

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A doctor and patient talk in a healthcare setting, reflecting the interpersonal focus of ASU's Health Policy concentration.

Quick facts

Courses

120 credit hours
Math intensity: General program math intensity general
First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
View more details

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 (Health Policy) degree description

The School of Public Affairs offers a concentration in health policy as part of the Bachelor of Science program in public service and public policy. This program allows you to build a course of study that focuses on the health care industry. This sector continues to be a major part of the U.S. and world economy. The concentration in health policy provides you with an opportunity to focus on health-related issues and their policy implications. The courses in the concentration are offered by the College of Health Solutions and the School of Human Evolution and Social Change.

The BS program in public service and public policy includes comprehensive coverage of topics in public policy, public leadership and management. Applications and examples encompass a wide variety of policy topics and management approaches.

This program examines the public sector and addresses the challenges facing the public in a practical way. It's distinct because it enables you to study public service, policy and administration with a focus on professional preparation for a career.

Why specialize in public service and public policy (health policy) at ASU?

This concentration offers a unique interdisciplinary approach, drawing on expertise from the College of Health Solutions and the School of Human Evolution and Social Change. You gain a depth of perspective that traditional policy programs may lack.

The bachelor's in public service and public policy includes comprehensive coverage of topics in public policy, public leadership and management. Applications and examples encompass a wide variety of policy topics and management approaches, giving you practical skills you can apply immediately.

Additional details

You can join organizations such as the International City/County Management Association, The Emergency Management Student Association, Student Veterans Association at ASU, or 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.

What If

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:

Graduate advisor
Mitchell Lawson
602-496-1745
mitchell.lawson@thunderbird.asu.edu
General contact
602-496-7100
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Alexander Sandage
602-496-1658
alexander.sandage@asu.edu
Graduate advisor
Katie Bonnesen
602-496-1928
katherine.bonnesen@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0450
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0468
Learn more about this program

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.

Global experience

Students seeking in-depth knowledge of policy and the public sector related to the health care industry in various capacities can benefit from studying abroad. Programs are available that focus on topics such as public or global health, allowing students to see concepts they have learned through a distinct cultural lens and build skills in preparation for a future-focused career.

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 opportunities showing job titles, projected growth rates, median salaries, and links to detailed information
Career Growth Median Salary More Information
Advocate 7.4% $45,930
CEO 3.2% $213,990
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) 5.6% $64,070
Community Health Worker 12.7% $51,850
Community Specialist 5.5% $56,730
Distribution Center Manager 6.1% $107,230
General Manager (GM) 5.0% $105,770
Medical and Health Services Manager 24.2% $123,860
Political Analyst -2.0% $142,080
Social Services Director 7.2% $80,390

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 (health policy) concentration prepares you for

The degree is primarily focused on providing its graduates with the knowledge and skills required for entry- and midlevel supervisory and managerial positions in the public sector, such as city, county, state and federal agencies, though they would function successfully in many other types of organizations as well. Graduates are prepared for work in nonprofit organizations and in the private sector at the interface of public affairs and private enterprise.

The program also readies graduates to pursue graduate education in law, public administration, public policy and other areas focused on public affairs and the common good.

For those who already have work experience, the degree provides further opportunity for promotion.

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.

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