Department of Political Science & Public Administration
Prepare for leadership, service, and impact.
The Department of Political Science and Public Administration within the UND Nistler College of Business of Business & Public Administration offers two undergraduate majors: Political Science and Public Affairs. Our mission is to serve the global, national, state and local community through teaching, research, and service.
What is Political Science?
Politics is the process through which collective binding decisions are taken, and the consequences of those decisions. As such, Political Science studies group decision-making. As a discipline, Political Science focuses on national political systems and their component parts.
Institutions and laws are designed to guide the process through which decisions-making is made by, or on behalf of, the community, however defined. Who is the “We” in “We the people”? Naturally, political scientists are drawn to concepts such as rights and power since they assist in understanding and explaining the process of group decision-making.
As political scientists, we are also interested in the vast body of political theory that ponders what group decisions should be pursued. Here, we see how political values tend to collide, such as the tension between freedom and order. What could be more important than that?
- Political theory
- Political ideology
- Political economy
- Policy studies and analysis
- Comparative politics
- International relations
- Civil service / public administration
- Policy analyst / Think-tank researcher
- Foreign service / Intelligence officer
- Attorney / Legal Researcher
- Lobbyist / Public Relations
- Political journalist
- Risk analyst / Regulatory affairs analyst
Political Science majors draw on the full educational range of the University of North Dakota. A political science student builds knowledge of the discipline of political science but will also be able to draw on courses in philosophy, history, statistics and economics. Students develop foundational skills in statistics and in a foreign language.
What is Public Affairs?
Public Affairs is the study of how governments, non-profits, and even private individuals work to advance a social mission. It explores administration and management in settings where problems are complex, where there are competing goals and values, and where profit can’t tell us what makes a decision “good”.
- Public Administration
- Focus on management of government orgs
- Nonprofit Administration
- Focus on administration of nonprofit groups
- Civil service: local, state, and federal
- Government relations specialist
- Policy analyst/consultant
- Public affairs specialist
- Nonprofit executive offier or staff
- Corporate social responsibility manager
- Compliance officer
Public Affairs majors gain competency in many of the same skills as business students (Accounting, Management, and Economics) as well as an understanding of American Political institutions. Students who focus on public administration build additional skills in statistics, research, and the policy process. Students who focus on non-profit administration develop area specific knowledge about issues and problems and how the non-profit sector operates.
Our Programs
Use our interactive program finder to explore what UND has to offer. Or select a Nistler CoBPA program below to get started.
Accelerated and Combined Degree Pathways
Combined Bachelor's and Master's Option
This Combined Bachelor's/Master's program allows you to complete a Political Science B.A. or Public Administration B.S. along with a Master of Public Administration (MPA). You are able to complete both degrees in 5 years rather than the typical 6 years needed to complete the two degrees separately.
Accelerated Bachelor's to Law Degree (3+3) Option
You could pursue a legal focused undergraduate program and begin taking law classes in your fourth year at UND. This Accelerated Bachelor's to Law Degree allows you to complete a Political Science B.A. while getting a jumpstart on law school. You complete both degrees in six years rather than seven — a big savings in time and money.
Want to learn more about the 3+3 Bachelor's to Law Degree?
