The mission of the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) is to prepare students to make substantive contributions to society through careers as managers, advisors, and policy analysts in government and nonprofit organizations in a multitude of geographic locations throughout the world. This mission is accomplished through dedication to quality teaching that builds skills and commitments to the core values, challenges, and rewards of public service. It is supported through basic and applied research on timely issues of public management; international, regional, and urban affairs; and policy making. The school and faculty are committed to making a difference in the world by drawing on diverse skills and knowledge to improve the performance of public and nonprofit organizations that contribute to free and just societies in the United States and abroad. To accomplish these ends, SPIA teaches, conducts research, and performs public service in the following areas:
- The management and administration of public and nonprofit agencies
- The growth and sustainable development of urban metropolitan regions throughout the world
- The economic and social development of newly independent and developing states
- The emerging dynamics that are shaping today’s international political economy
- Threats to and issues in international security
The mission of SPIA stresses the importance of democratic responsibilities and personal integrity in the management of human affairs as well as the professional qualifications required for managing constructive change. Students and faculty alike are required to:
- Demonstrate the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct
- Use critical thinking and problem solving skills in addressing public policy issues
- Consider the international and intersectoral aspects of public affairs
- Develop partnerships with others both internal and external to the University of Pittsburgh
Contact Information
Recuitment & Admissions Office
Suite 3601 Posvar Hall
412-648-7640
E-mail: SPIAUND@pitt.edu
www.spia.pitt.edu
Admission Prerequisites:
For current Pitt students, we strongly recommended that you take STAT 1200 or STAT 1000 or STAT 1100, as well as ECON 0100. Ideally, pre-public policy students will have also taken foundational courses PIA 0101 and PIA 0102 during your first and second year. For external transfers, we also recommend that you have taken the equivalent to these courses at your home institution. However, if you have not, you can still apply and take these courses while you are in the program. Use Pitt’s transfer tool to learn more about equivalent coursework.
Admission Qualifications:
The Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy is an upper-level degree program. Students will enroll in the Public Policy major after completing a minimum of 55 credits at the University of Pittsburgh or another accredited undergraduate institution, typically beginning their major coursework in the third year of college.
For admission to the BA in Public Policy, an applicant must complete 55 transferable credits from the University of Pittsburgh or other accredited undergraduate institution with a minimum of 2.5 GPA. General education requirements categories for current Pitt students are:
Writing / Communication
(9 credits total) |
- ENGCMP 0200: Freshman Writing Seminar (3 credits)
- Two additional intensive writing courses (6 credits)
One may be satisfied by PIA 0601: Ideas to Impact: Persuasive Communication for Public Policy
|
Algebra / Quantitative & Formal Reasoning
(up to 6 credits) |
- Algebra (3 credits)
Exceptions for a Math SAT score of 620 or higher, a Math ACT score of 27 or higher, or completion of a high school Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus course with a grade of B or higher
- Quantitative & Formal Reasoning (3 credits)
May be satisfied by STAT 0200, STAT 1000, or STAT 1100
|
Language
(up to 6 credits total) |
- Second language (6 credits)
Exemption with 3 years of the same language in high school with a B or higher each year
|
Diversity
(3 credits total) |
- Diversity (3 credits)
May be satisfied by PIA 1102: City of White Supremacy: Race, Space & Policy in American Cities
|
Humanities & Arts / Social Sciences / Natural Sciences
(27 credits total) |
- Literature (3 credits)
- Arts (3 credits)
- Creative Work (3 credits)
- Philosophical Thinking or Ethics (3 credits)
May be satisfied by PIA 0602: Ethics & Equity in Public Policy
- Social Science (3 credits)
May be satisfied by the ECON 0100 pre-requisite or another breadth requirement
- Historical Analysis (3 credits)
- Natural Sciences (9 credits)
We recommend public policy students take courses in geology, psychology, neuroscience or biology as potentially useful background for important public policy issues.
|
Global Awareness & Cultural Understanding
(9 credits total) |
- Global Issues (3 credits)
May be satisfied by PIA 0102: Global Challenges, Global Solutions: Introduction to Global Policy
- Geographic Region Specific (3 credits)
- Cross Cultural Analysis (3 credits)
|
How to Apply:
Current Pitt Students (any campus):
Complete the Upper-Level Transfer Application. The priority deadline is March 1 for the Fall term and October 1 for the Spring term. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be considered on a rolling basis based on the strength of the application and any available space in the program.
We recommend applying during the term you will complete the prerequisite 55 credits. For instance, a student applying for Fall would complete the application during the Spring term of their second year.
In the Upper Level Transfer Application, students should submit a 300-400 word personal statement introducing themselves to the admissions committee. Please share your professional goals and motivation for pursuing Public Policy degree from Pitt Public & International Affairs, as well as any experience or unique skills that you will be bringing to this program.
External Transfer Students:
Please complete the Undergraduate Application for Admissions through PItt’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. A supplemental application is not required.
High School Students:
Submit an application to the University of Pittsburgh through Pitt’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. On that application, select “Pre-Public and International Affairs” or “Pre-Public Policy” as your intended major.
*Note: You will begin as a student in Pitt’s Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences. In the Spring term of your second year, complete the Upper Level Transfer Application to officially declare a major in public policy.
BA in Public Policy - Plan of Study
The BA in Public Policy assumes completion of at least 55 undergraduate credits, including most general education requirements from the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences. Refer to the General Education Requirements for more details.
Total Major Credits (excluding the ECON and STAT pre-requisites): 42 credits
At least 120 credits are required for graduation with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Public Policy.
Advising and Career Services
Academic Advising: Each student will meet with the undergraduate program coordinator (UPC) to assure that students, through proper course selection, can make productive use of the resources of the school. In addition, the UPC can approved the advisee’s required and elective courses. The UPC and students will monitor academic progress and identify areas where corrective action on the part of students may be required. It is essential, therefore, that students consult periodically with the UPC. Additionally, the UPC supports students by providing information necessary to navigate the logistical challenges of school and connects students to resources at the University of Pittsburgh.
Career Development: SPIA places great emphasis on assisting students in determining the best and most appropriate positions available. The career development team provides resources and guidance for students throughout their course of study as they devise strategies to identify professional opportunities. Among the many services offered through Career Development office are individual career advising, internship and job search assistance, and a series of career-related workshops and special events. Extensive reference materials on jobs, fellowships, and internships are made available in a variety of ways, including SPIA Career Launch,SPIA’s online career management system for students and alumni. Workshops cover such topics as resume preparation, job search strategies, negotiation skills, networking, and using technology in securing employment.
Faculty
Lisa S. Alfredson, Professor, PhD, London School of Economics
Luke Condra, Assistant Professor, PhD, Stanford University
Sabina E. Deitrick, Associate Professor, PhD, University of California, Berkeley
George W. Dougherty, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Georgia
Nicola Foote, Professor, PhD, University College London
Muge Kokten Finkel, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Virginia
Shanti Gamper-Rabindra, Associate Professor, Phd, Massachusetts Insitute of Technology
Ryan Grauer, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Pennsylvania
Melinda Haas, Assistant Professor, JD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Princeton University
Gary Hollibaugh, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Rochester
Daniel Jones, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Michael Kenney, Associate Professor, PhD, University of Florida
So Jin Lee, PhD, Duke University
Michael Lewin, Senior Lecturer, PhD, Johns Hopkins University
Huafang Li, Assistant Professor, PhD, Rutgers University
Siyao Li, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Pennsylvania
Sera Linardi, Assistant Professor, PhD, California Institute of Technology
Jennifer B. Murtazashvili, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Ilia Murtazashvili, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Lisa Nelson, Associate Professor, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Erica Owen, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Minnesota
Andrea Pena-Vasquez, PhD, University of Notre Dame
Zoila Ponce de Leon, PhD, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Marcela Gonzalez Rivas, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Kay Shimizu, Assistant Professor, PhD, Stanford University
Carissa Schively Slotterback, Dean and Professor, PhD, Florida State University
Nuno Themudo, Associate Professor, PhD, London School of Economics
Kimberly Turner, Assistant Professor, PhD, Southern Ilinois University, Carbondale
Jeremy Weber, Assistant Professor, Phd, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Part-time and Visiting Faculty
Kathleen Buechel, Senior Lecturer, MA, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Julie Santucci, Senior Lecturer, MA, University of Arizona
Program and Course Offerings
