The Department of Political Science and Public Administration offers courses in Political Science (POLS), Public Affairs (PA), and Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS). The program offers three undergraduate degrees; the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Public Affairs, and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. The Department also offers two graduate degrees, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and the Online Executive Master of Public Administration (eMPA). For more information on the MPA, refer to the Graduate School Bulletin. In addition to these programs, the department offers six (6) semester credit hours of American and Texas government that are required of all students by the University. The offices of faculty members are located on the fourth floor of the Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs Building.
The mission of the department is essentially twofold: (1) to develop general competencies in students that will allow them to continue their education in either graduate or professional schools upon completion of their undergraduate studies, and (2) to prepare students for entry-level professional public service positions. Three objectives are prominent in the realization of this mission: (1) to provide students with essential knowledge and understanding of the dynamics related to the Texas, national, and international political systems and their relationships to these systems; (2) to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the American political system; and (3) to develop problem-solving skills and competencies in students that will translate to various work settings.
The Political Science program is designed to prepare students for entry-level professional
public service positions; including the areas of law, business, journalism, politics,
political consulting, public policy analysis, international affairs and education.
Graduates learn how to evaluate individual and group behavior in political systems.
Public service opportunities (local / state / federal) are also a focus for career
opportunities. The program also prepares students for graduate work leading to research,
teaching and administration on all levels of education. The training can also lead
to other non-traditional career avenues including campaign staff, advocacy initiatives,
issues analyst, and foundation / non-profit engagement.
Emergency Management and Homeland Security (B.S.)
The program provides students with a broad range of administrative skills and knowledge needed to meet the critical needs of emergency managers and administrators. The mission of the Emergency Management and Homeland Security program is to create graduates with extensive theoretical and applied knowledge in emergency management and disaster research….
Learn more about a BS in EMHSPolitical Science (B.A.)
The mission of the Department of Political Science is to develop general competencies in students that will allow them to continue their education in either graduate or professional schools upon completion of their undergraduate studies. Political Science courses are designed to stimulate students to be better citizens through an understanding of the working of the American and other….
Learn more about a BA in PSPublic Affairs (B.S.)
The mission of the Public Affairs program is to prepare students for professional public sector positions as well as prepare them for graduate education in Public Administration and other related academic disciplines. Public Affairs is a multi-disciplinary course of study which prepares students for leadership roles in local, state, national or international agencies of government….
Learn more about a BS in PAMaster of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program has as its purpose the preparation of professionals for immediate upward mobility in professional careers in public sectors or for graduate study where the nature of the profession requires the master’s degree as the entry criterion. Its greatest single asset lies in its potential to alleviate the shortage of professionally educated persons, especially….
Learn more about MPAExecutive Master of Public Administration
The eMPA Program’s mission is to identify and recruit individuals for executive educational training to meet the growing demand for mid-career professionals in the public sector but wish to pursue an MPA degree, but cannot physically attend classes in person. Through online delivery of advanced skill concepts, offered by a Master of Public Administration program, the eMPA program prepares ….
Learn more about EMPAThe Department of Political Science has an extraordinary faculty with a wide range of research and teaching interests. They are committed, not only to advancing the understanding of political processes, and to helping the students prepare to engage those processes, but also to expanding the realm of democratic politics through research, teaching and service to the community.
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3100 Cleburne Street | Houston, Texas 77004 713-313-6849
