Public Service and Public Policy

About this opportunity

A degree in Public Service & Public Policy prepares students to work for government at all levels and nonprofit organizations. Students who aspire to transform government and policy have the opportunity to work with engaging faculty who are conducting cutting edge research in a variety of policy areas.

PSPP pursue concentrations in areas such as sustainability, criminology, nonprofit leadership and management, and urban studies. Details on the major can be found at spa.asu.edu/pspp/.

Thesis

In order for students to complete a thesis in the field of PSPP, whether they major in PSPP or not, they must have completed PAF 200 Introduction to Public Service & Public Policy. The thesis project is developed with a faculty person who will help guide the student's research. Thesis committees must comprise of at least two members; the chair must be a regularly-appointed member of the ASU faculty, with professional expertise in the thesis/creative project area (e.g., tenure-track faculty member, lecturer, professors of practice, and clinical faculty), and the second reader can be a member of the academic or larger community, as needed. Individual thesis chairs may require a third reader. SPA faculty are committed to helping students develop and complete their thesis projects. Projects range from formal research projects to policy white papers. Completing a thesis will help prepare students for graduate level research, and students who pursue specific creative projects can receive experiences that will help prepare them for a variety of careers.

Prior to enrolling in HON 492 all students must complete a thesis/creative project information session/ workshop. Students may complete this requirement in one of the following ways:

1. Through one of the various live-zoom or in-person sessions 

2. The self-paced online workshop offered through Barrett via ASU Canvas

For more information about these opportunities please visit the Barrett website. 
 

Academic Preparation

In order for students to complete a thesis in the field of PSPP, whether they major in PSPP or not, they must have completed PAF 200 Introduction to Public Service & Public Policy. PSPP honor students are encouraged to take a graduate level research course (PAF 501 Public Service Research I) as a substitute for PAF 301 or 401 Applied Statistics. Taking PAF 501 will earn students honors credit and help ensure they are prepared to engage in honors thesis-level research on a topic of relevance to the field.

Recommended Timeline

Questions about honors in the PSPP major can be directed to the faculty honors advisor, Monica Gaughan monica.gaughan@asu.edu