Public Service and Public Policy, Minor
Channel your passion for public service into exploring how government shapes the rhythms of everyday life. This minor invites you to question, examine and understand the ways public decisions ripple through the communities around you every day.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Public Service and Public Policy minor description
The minor program in public service and public policy prepares you for work in government at all levels and nonprofit organizations through comprehensive coverage of topics in public policy, public leadership and management, and urban studies.
You discover the challenges of management, learn how to lead a public organization, and understand the process of policy development.
This minor allows you to broaden your educational experiences.
Why earn a public service and public policy minor at ASU?
Housed in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, this minor gears you toward government and nonprofit management rather than the strictly theoretical focus of broader political science programs. You complete at least 12 of your 18 credit hours through the School of Public Affairs, nationally recognized for its strengths in public management and urban policy.
Additional details
Get involved beyond the classroom through student organizations tied to the field, including the International City/County Management Association, the Emergency Management Student Association, the Student Veterans Association at ASU and Pi Alpha Alpha.
Courses
This undergraduate minor includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The minor in public service and public policy requires 18 credit hours: 12 hours of required courses and six hours of electives. A minimum of 12 credit hours must be taken in the School of Public Affairs at ASU.
|
||
|
PAF 200 Public Service and Policy
(CIVI)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
PAF 201 Economics and Public Policy
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
PAF 300 Public Management and Administration
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
PAF 340 Contemporary Policy Challenges
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
Upper Division
PAF Elective
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this minor.
|
Enrollment requirements
GPA Requirement: 2.00
Incompatible Majors: BS in public service and public policy (all concentrations)
Other Enrollment Requirements: None
Current ASU undergraduate students may pursue a minor and have it recognized on their ASU transcript at graduation. Minor requirements appear on the degree audit once the minor is added. Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate by the college or department of either the major program or the minor. Courses taken for the minor may not count toward both the major and minor.
Here are the admission and application details
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 estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this public service and public policy minor prepares you for
Students who complete this minor are prepared to pursue a career in a field related to public administration or public policy. This may include opportunities as a policy analyst, entry-level manager or program coordinator in local, state or federal agencies; in nonprofit organizations; and in private organizations that interface with the public sector. The program has an applied and professional focus that can enhance many other majors, which can give students a more competitive edge when seeking a public sector job.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
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.
