Lead government organizations, prepared to solve public sector challenges
Develop solid managerial skills to help you lead government organizations at the local, state, or federal level. You’ll study public finance and budgeting, urban development and planning, and contract management while gaining unique insight into public sector challenges. You’ll also have opportunities to explore global approaches to public management by studying abroad on the Rhine, in the United Arab Emirates, or in France.
Our recent graduates have landed public management jobs including:
Client Sales Representative, Echo Global Logistics
Associate District Manager, ADP (Automatic Data Processing, Inc.)
“By allowing students to use their creativity in the classroom, O’Neill instills a great sense of confidence in young professionals, proving that no task is too large or daunting to face head-on. Colleagues and clients recognize that confidence, and it has helped get me to the point I am at today.”
Program learning goals
Expand for detailed learning outcomes.
1.1 Recognize legal, political, economic, and cultural constraints that are unique to public sector organizations
1.2 Analyze the role of public organizations throughout the policy process, including formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation of public programs
1.3 Describe the size, scope, and historical development of the federal bureaucracy
1.4 Evaluate models of political oversight and democratic accountability for public organizations
1.5 Apply models of networking and collaboration between public organizations and organizations in the private and nonprofit sectors
1.6 Assess the role of privatization and contracting out in the delivery of public programs and policies
1.7 Understand the system of federalism and the challenges and implications of intergovernmental relations in the public sector
1.8 Basic comprehension of the budgeting processes used at the local, state, and federal levels of government
1.9 Conduct benefit-cost analysis to evaluate the cost-efficiency of a public policy or program
1.10 Use a comparative framework to understand how political, legal, economic, and cultural differences shape public management across the globe
1.11 Use the results of appropriate quantitative or qualitative methods to inform decision making and improve the policy process
2.1 Analyze collaborative leadership, leadership styles, and their impact on organizations and employees
2.2 Describe relevant ethics and codes of conduct in the field of public management and analyze ethical dilemmas faced by public managers
2.3 Develop expertise in engagement of citizens, clients, and external stakeholders and develop plans for how these stakeholders would provide feedback and participate in decision-making
2.4 Explain why and how public organizations foster diversity, equity, and inclusion among employees, clients, constituencies, and communities
2.5 Identify innovative solutions to problems and obstacles faced by public sector organizations.
2.6 Use theories and frameworks in understanding the practical challenges associated with public management
3.1 Describe and apply theories of organizational change and their applications to public management
3.2 Describe and apply theories of work motivation and their application to public management
3.3 Work effectively in a diverse team and deal effectively with conflict among group members
3.4 Understand the relationship between organizational structure and outcomes
3.5 Create, plan, and develop a mission statement and strategic plan for a public sector organization (e.g., SWOT analysis)
3.6 Apply performance management strategies and techniques to evaluate the performance of a public sector organization
4.1 Speak confidently and clearly in front of groups in both informal and structured settings
4.2 Write clear, informative, professional prose that presents logically ordered, verifiable evidence in document formats (e.g., memos, statements, proposals, reports)
4.3 Recognize the difference between anecdote or personal account and systematic data, and deploy both appropriately in support of an argument
4.4 Communicate how public policies, laws, programs, and managerial innovations impact participants, governmental entities, and society
Required coursework
As a student in the O’Neill School, you will complete your degree requirements based on your matriculation date—the date you entered Indiana University Bloomington.
YourAcademic Advising Reportis your personalized report outlining your progress toward graduation. The requirements below are for advising purposes only and are not official. To discuss your degree requirements and academic goals, make an appointment with your academic advisor academic advisor.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2022 or Spring 2023 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
BSPA Core
SPEA-E 183 Environment & People (3cr)
SPEA-V 181 US Policy & Administration (3cr)
SPEA-V 182 Policy-making around the World: Comparative and International Approaches (3cr)
SPEA-V 184 Law & Public Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 185 Management of Public Problems and Solutions (3cr)
SPEA-V 186 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance for Public Affairs (3cr)
Other Required Courses (12cr)
ECON-E 251 Fundamentals of Economics I (3cr) or ECON-B 251 Fundamentals of Economics for Business I (3cr)
Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, no course will count more than once in the major. Additionally, no course used to fulfill the “BSPA Required Courses” above may be used to also fulfill the “Public Management and Leadership Major” below. Additional courses beyond the general education, core, and major requirements are needed to complete the minimum of 120 hours required for the degree.
The following eight Foundation courses:
SPEA-V 202 Contemporary Economic Issues in Public Affairs (3 cr.) (P: ECON-E 251 or ECON-B 251)
SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 246 Elements of Government and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-V 186)
SPEA-V 481 Grant Wring for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15 cr.) (approved topics only; consult SPEA advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
BSPA Core
SPEA-E 183 Environment & People (3cr)
SPEA-V 181 US Policy & Administration (3cr)
SPEA-V 182 Policy-making around the World: Comparative and International Approaches (3cr)
SPEA-V 184 Law & Public Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 185 Management of Public Problems and Solutions (3cr)
SPEA-V 186 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance for Public Affairs (3cr)
Other Required Courses (18cr)
ECON-E 251 Fundamentals of Economics I (3cr) or ECON-B 251 Fundamentals of Economics for Business I (3cr)
POLS Political Science (any course or an approved non-O'Neill study abroad course, 3cr)
Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, no course will count more than once in the major. Additionally, no course used to fulfill the “BSPA Required Courses” above may be used to also fulfill the “Public Management and Leadership Major” below. Additional courses beyond the general education, core, and major requirements are needed to complete the minimum of 120 hours required for the degree.
The following seven Foundation courses:
SPEA-V 202 Contemporary Economic Issues in Public Affairs (3cr) (P: ECON-E 201)
SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 246 Elements of Government and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 186)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 202)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 415 Data Science in Public and Environmental Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3cr)
SPEA-V 457 Human Recources Traning and Development (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 373)
SPEA-V 481 Grant Writing for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3cr)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
BSPA Core
SPEA-E 183 Environment & People (3cr)
SPEA-V 181 US Policy & Administration (3cr)
SPEA-V 182 Policy-making around the World: Comparative and International Approaches (3cr)
SPEA-V 184 Law & Public Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 185 Management of Public Problems and Solutions (3cr)
SPEA-V 186 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance for Public Affairs (3cr)
Other Required Courses (18cr)
ECON-E 251 Fundamentals of Economics I (3cr) or ECON-B 251 Fundamentals of Economics for Business I (3cr)
POLS Political Science (any course or an approved non-O'Neill study abroad course, 3cr)
Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, no course will count more than once in the major. Additionally, no course used to fulfill the “BSPA Required Courses” above may be used to also fulfill the “Public Management and Leadership Major” below. Additional courses beyond the general education, core, and major requirements are needed to complete the minimum of 120 hours required for the degree.
The following seven Foundation courses:
SPEA-V 202 Contemporary Economic Issues in Public Affairs (3cr) (P: ECON-E 251 or ECON-B 251)
SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 246 Elements of Government and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 186)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 202)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 415 Data Science in Public and Environmental Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3cr)
SPEA-V 457 Human Recources Traning and Development (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 373)
SPEA-V 481 Grant Writing for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3cr)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2019 or Spring 2020 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
BSPA Core
SPEA-E 183 Environment & People (3cr)
SPEA-V 181 US Policy & Administration (3cr)
SPEA-V 182 Policy-making around the World: Comparative and International Approaches (3cr)
SPEA-V 184 Law & Public Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 185 Management of Public Problems and Solutions (3cr)
SPEA-V 186 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance for Public Affairs (3cr)
Other Required Courses (18cr)
ECON-E 201 Introduction to Microeconomics (3cr)
POLS Political Science (any course or an approved non-O'Neill study abroad course, 3cr)
Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, no course will count more than once in the major. Additionally, no course used to fulfill the “BSPA Required Courses” above may be used to also fulfill the “Public Management and Leadership Major” below. Additional courses beyond the general education, core, and major requirements are needed to complete the minimum of 120 hours required for the degree.
The following seven Foundation courses:
SPEA-V 202 Contemporary Economic Issues in Public Affairs (3cr) (P: ECON-E201)
SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 246 Elements of Government and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 186) OR BUS-A 201 Introduction to Financial Accounting (3cr)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 202)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3cr)
SPEA-V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3cr)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2018 or Spring 2019 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
BSPA Core
SPEA-V 181 US Policy & Administration (3cr)
SPEA-V 182 Policy-making around the World: Comparative and International Approaches (3cr)
SPEA-E 183 Environment & People (3cr)
SPEA-V 184 Law & Public Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 185 Management of Public Problems and Solutions (3cr)
SPEA-V 186 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance for Public Affairs (3cr)
Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, no course will count more than once in the major. Additionally, no course used to fulfill the “BSPA Required Courses” above may be used to also fulfill the “Public Management and Leadership Major” below. Additional courses beyond the general education, core, and major requirements are needed to complete the minimum of 120 hours required for the degree.
The following seven Foundation courses:
SPEA-V 202 Contemporary Economic Issues in Public Affairs (3cr) (P: ECON-E201)
SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3cr)*
SPEA-V 246 Elements of Government and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 186)
ORBUS-A 201 Introduction to Financial Accounting (3cr) (P: BUS-A 100)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 202)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3cr)
SPEA-V 491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3cr)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2017 or Spring 2018 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
O’Neill Preparation
Communication (6cr)
Professional Writing – One course from:
ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3cr) (P: English comp)
ENG-W 240 Community Service Writing (3cr) (P: English comp)
BUS-C 204 Business Communications (3cr) (P: English comp with grade C or better, and second-year standing)
Or O’Neill equivalent (3cr)
Oral Communication – One course from:
ANTH-A 122 Interpersonal Communication (3cr)
ANTH-L 208 Ways of Speaking (3cr)
BUS-C 104 Business Presentations (3cr)
COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication (3cr)
ENG-R 228 Argumentation and Public Advocacy (3cr)
THTR-T 120 Acting I: Foundations of Acting (3cr)
Or O’Neill equivalent (3cr)
Quantitative (12cr)
Computer – One course from:
SPEA-V 261 Computers in Public Affairs (3cr)
BUS-K 201 The Computer in Business (3cr)
CSCI-A 110 Introduction to Computers and Computing (3cr) (P: One year high school algebra or MATH-M 014)
CSCI-A 201 Introduction to Programming I (4cr) (P: Two years high school math or MATH-M 014)
SPEA-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3cr) OR equivalent (P: MATH-M 014 or equivalent; R: MATH-M 118)
ECON-E 201 Introduction to Microeconomics (3cr)
ECON-E 202 Introduction to Macroeconomics (3cr) (P: ECON-E 201)
American Government Foundations (3cr)
POLS-Y 103 Introduction to American Politics (3cr)
BSPA Core
SPEA-V 160 National and International Policy (3cr)
SPEA-V 161 Urban Problems and Solutions (3cr)
SPEA-V 220 Law and Public Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 372 Government Finance and Budgets (3cr)
SPEA-E 162 Environment and People (3cr)
OR SPEA-E 272 Introduction to Environmental Sciences (3cr)
Experiential Learning
SPEA-V 252 Career Development and Planning (2cr)
SPEA-V 381 Professional Experience (1cr) (P: SPEA-V 252)
SPEA-V 373 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (3cr)
SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3cr)
Two of the following Context courses:
SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3cr)
SPEA-V 365 Urban Development and Planning (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 161)
SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (3cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V 460 Intergovernmental Relations (3cr)
SPEA-V 462 Community Development (3cr)
Two of the following Skills courses:
SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3cr)
SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3cr) (P: SPEA-K 300)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 361)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3cr)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2016 or Spring 2017 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
O’Neill Preparation
Communication (6cr)
Professional Writing –Onecourse from:
ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3cr) (P: English comp)
ENG-W 240 Community Service Writing (3cr) (P: English comp)
BUS-C 204 Business Communications (3cr) (P: English comp with grade C or better, and second-year standing)
SPEA-V 260 Professional Writing for Public Affairs (3cr)
Oral Communication –Onecourse from:
ANTH-A 122 Interpersonal Communication (3cr)
ANTH-L 208 Ways of Speaking (3cr)
BUS-C 104 Business Presentations (3cr)
COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication (3cr)
ENG-R 228 Argumentation and Public Advocacy (3cr)
THTR-T 120 Acting I: Foundations of Acting (3cr)
SPEA-V 260 Speaking, Listening and Public Affairs (3cr)
Quantitative (12cr)
Computer –Onecourse from:
SPEA-V 261 Computers in Public Affairs (3cr)
BUS-K 201 The Computer in Business (3cr)
CSCI-A 110 Introduction to Computers and Computing (3cr) (P: One year high school algebra or MATH-M 014)
CSCI-A 201 Introduction to Programming I (4cr) (P: Two years high school math or MATH-M 014)
SPEA-V 373 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (3cr)
SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3cr)
Twoof the following Context courses:
SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3cr)
SPEA-V 365 Urban Development and Planning (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 161)
SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (3cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V 460 Intergovernmental Relations (3cr)
SPEA-V 462 Community Development (3cr)
Twoof the following Skills courses:
SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3cr)
SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3cr) (P: SPEA-K 300)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 361)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3cr)
SPEA-V 450 Contract Management (3cr) (new SPEA-V 4xx to be developed)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with youracademic advisorto discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2015 or Spring 2016 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
O’Neill Preparation
Communication (6cr)
Professional Writing –Onecourse from:
ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3cr) (P: English comp)
ENG-W 240 Community Service Writing (3cr) (P: English comp)
BUS-C 204 Business Communications (3cr) (P: English comp with grade C or better, and second-year standing)
O’Neill equivalent (3cr)
Oral Communication –Onecourse from:
ANTH-A 122 Interpersonal Communication (3cr)
ANTH-L 208 Ways of Speaking (3cr)
BUS-C 104 Business Presentations (3cr)
COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication (3cr)
ENG-R 228 Argumentation and Public Advocacy (3cr)
THTR-T 120 Acting I: Foundations of Acting (3cr)
O’Neill equivalent (3cr)
Quantitative (12cr)
Computer –Onecourse from:
SPEA-V 261 Computers in Public Affairs (3cr)
BUS-K 201 The Computer in Business (3cr)
CSCI-A 110 Introduction to Computers and Computing (3cr) (P: One year high school algebra or MATH-M 014)
CSCI-A 201 Introduction to Programming I (4cr) (P: Two years high school math or MATH-M 014)
SPEA-V 373 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (3cr)
SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3cr)
Twoof the following Context courses:
SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3cr)
SPEA-V 365 Urban Development and Planning (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 161)
SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (3cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V 460 Intergovernmental Relations (3cr)
SPEA-V 462 Community Development (3cr)
Twoof the following Skills courses:
SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3cr)
SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3cr) (P: SPEA-K 300)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 361)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 443 Managing Workforce Diversity (3cr)
SPEA-V 450 Contract Management (3cr) (new SPEA-V 4xx to be developed)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with youracademic advisorto discuss your electives.
