Public Service Leadership (B.S.) (School of Public and Global Affairs)

General Information

This major is designed primarily as a degree completion program in an online format for students with an A.A.S. in a discipline directly related to one of the program emphases, or students holding an A.A./A.S. degree in a public service career track, especially police, fire, and public works positions. All majors must meet NIU’s requirements for general education (21-33 hours), complete a minimum of 40 hours of course work at the 300-400 level, and earn a minimum of 30 hours at NIU. Up to 30 hours of proficiency credit can be applied toward the 120-credit-hour university graduation requirements with the approval of the department advisor and chair. The completion of a culminating experience (e.g., senior seminar, capstone course or project, or internship, etc.) is required for all majors.

B.S. in Public Service Leadership Degree Completion Program

The B.S. in Public Service Leadership degree completion program is designed  is designed to award credit to practicing professionals for their recent education and previous learning experiences in the relevant fields of public sector employment. In addition to the course requirements outlined below, up to 30 semester hours of credit may be awarded for documented prior learning through professional experiences and education in an area related to the emphasis. Students interested in the B.S. in Public Service Leadership degree completion program should contact a program advisor for a course counseling session.

Proficiency Credit (0-30)

Up to 30 hours of proficiency credit may be applied toward the 120-credit hour university requirement. The number of credits awarded will be based on the evaluation of the professional portfolio, submitted at the completion of SPGA 490, by a panel of faculty in the emphasis area. These credits will be applied to the student’s transcript upon appropriate approval at the departmental and college levels, and the completion of all designated 300- and 400-level course work for the Public Service Leadership degree.

B.S. P.S.L. Core Requirements (40)

The following core requirements are designed to address core competencies related to program learning outcomes for the B.S.in Public Service Leadership. Students should select courses that are most appropriate in consultation with an advisor.

• ACCY 288 - Fundamentals of Accounting Credits: 3
• POLS 330 - Bureaucracy and the Public Policy Process Credits: 3
•       OR  PSPA 330X - Bureaucracy and the Public Policy Process Credits: 3
• POLS 331 - Public Administration Credits: 3
•       OR  PSPA 331X - Public Administration Credits: 3
• POLS 340 - Political Analysis Credits: 3
•       OR  STAT 100 - Basic Statistics Credits: 3
• PSPA 320 - Public Service Leadership Credits: 3
• PSPA 332 - Strategic Performance Management of Public Service Organizations Credits: 3
• PSPA 411 - The Ethical Public Administrator Credits: 3
• PSPA 412 - Public Budgeting Credits: 3
• SPGA 480 - Capstone Credits: 3
• SPGA 490 - Professional Portfolio Assessment Credits: 1
• SOCI 375 - Sociology of Organizations Credits: 3

At least one of the following:

• COMS 362 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
• COMS 464 - Organizational Communication Strategies Credits: 3
• ECON 350 - Introduction to Public Sector Economics Credits: 3
• POLS 303 - State and Local Government Credits: 3
•       OR  PSPA 303X - State and Local Government Credits: 3
• PSPA 410 - Supervision in the Public Sector Credits: 3
• PSPA 413 - Community Engagement in Public Service Agencies Credits: 3

•  

  At least 6 credits of 300-400 level course work in a relevant discipline, selected in consultation with a program advisor.

General Education Requirements (0-33)

In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining general education requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the general education requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the general education credit requirements.

The required minimum of 21 semester hours in Knowledge Domain studies cannot include more than two courses in any one department. (A course with an affiliated laboratory course shall be counted as a single course.)

NOTE:  previous coursework completed for AA/AS/AAS degrees may fulfill some or all general education requirements.

Graduation Requirements (6-9)

In addition to completing the above major requirements students must complete the remaining graduation requirements. If major requirements fulfill any of the graduation requirements, they are listed below and subtracted from the graduation credit requirements.

Human Diversity Requirement (0-3)

• One course from the approved Human Diversity course list; may be fulfilled by extracurricular activities.  Human Diversity Course List   

Writing Infused Requirements (6)

• Two courses from the approved Writing Infused course list. Writing Infused Course List   

TOTAL HOURS FOR GENERAL EDUCATION AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: 6-42

TOTAL HOURS FOR ELECTIVES: 8-74

TOTAL HOURS FOR A B.S. DEGREE IN PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP: 120