Online Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs (OBSPA)

Comprehensive advisement services are provided to students pursuing the Public Affairs Major and the Public Service Minor. Please check this webpage for details.

Program learning goals are the broad statements that address higher order learning, encompassing the degree’s mission, values, and overall expectations. These goals are addressed at various points throughout the curriculum.

Student completing the public affairs program will:

• Articulate how public policy is formulated, implemented, and evaluated.
• Write documents that articulate purpose, utilize evidence, logic, and apply pertinent values to provide analysis and arguments relevant to the question or issue and appropriate for a chosen audience.
• Produce oral presentations that articulate purpose, utilize evidence, logic, and apply pertinent values to provide analysis and arguments relevant to the question or issue and appropriate for a chosen audience.
• Analyze data and draw valid conclusions.
• Apply research findings to public policy questions or decision making situations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of pertinent values, such as diversity, integrity, ethical conduct, and professionalism; and articulate how they can impact public policy and decision making situations.

View tuition and fees information here

After a 36-year break from my first college experience, my time at Baruch was both interesting and rewarding. My professors made my return a great learning experience.
Mark Tria, (BSPA ‘20), Supervisor of Mechanics, FDNY

My experience at Marxe was truly rewarding. I’ve gotten the chance to work with and meet like-minded individuals who are passionate about social change.
Aissata Mousa, (BSPA ‘20), Session Assistant, New York State Assembly

Professors are always willing to be a resource and to guide students/alumni through the nonprofit and government industries which will undoubtedly continue to help the School inspire future change agents.
Farhana Hassan (BSPA ’14), Assistant General Counsel, New York City Housing Development Corporation

When I was accepted into Baruch, I attended the Student Welcome Reception and was immediately sold by the BSPA program’s pitch. The BSPA program offered me a degree that was broad enough to allow me to explore my interests, yet specialized enough to be applicable to real-world challenges and scenarios. The BSPA program has helped me unearth my passion for sustainability and green infrastructure.
Miguelina Portorreal (BSPA ’17), Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Absolutely fantastic professors and advisors in the department. I feel like I am learning meaningful things about policy and government institutions that I can put to work in a variety of careers.
Erika Smithson (BSPA ’17), Data Analyst, VoteShield

I deeply value the education that I got in the Marxe School’s BSPA program. The program provided me with a solid grounding in economics, statistics, policy tradeoffs, research practices, and political communication and message framing.
Rasheed Malik, (BSPA ‘13), Senior Director, Early Childhood Policy, Center for American Progress

At BSPA I felt a sense of community and if I saw an opportunity that I was interested in, all I had to do was to ask and I knew it would happen with the support of administrators.
Hermanoschy Bernard, (BSPA ‘19), Analyst, Karp Strategies