1. Departments and Programs
1.1 Undergraduate Programs
At the undergraduate level, UNS offers three degrees: political science, public administration, social work, agriculture, and Veterinary. Table 1 provides a brief description of each degree.
| Political Science A bachelor’s degree in political science builds in-demand job skills, such as critical thinking, research, and analytical abilities. These skills help graduates succeed in a variety of fields, including working in politics, the government, and the corporate or nonprofit sector. |
| Social Work A bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) tends to take a generalist approach to social work so that students can gain a broad understanding of the profession and pursue a number of different paths after graduation. BSW is practice-based and promotes social change, development, cohesion, and the empowerment of people and communities. |
| Research and Public Policy A bachelor’s degree in public administration prepares graduates to work in these sectors: public health, nonprofits, city planning, transportation, public works, education, economic development, and government. |
Graduates of these programs must successfully complete general education requirements. Departmental requirements combine upper-level courses with independent work in both the junior and senior years. A senior thesis is required of all candidates. Students are in residence except when approved for academic reasons to be in absentia (or online).
1.2 Graduate
| Political Science A master’s degree in political science builds in-demand job skills, such as critical thinking, research, and analytical abilities. These skills help graduates succeed in a variety of fields, including working in politics, the government, and the corporate or nonprofit sector. |
| Social Work A master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) tends to take a generalist approach to social work so that students can gain a broad understanding of the profession and pursue a number of different paths after graduation. BSW is practice-based and promotes social change, development, cohesion, and the empowerment of people and communities. |
| Research and Public Policy A master’s degree in public administration prepares graduates to work in these sectors: public health, nonprofits, city planning, transportation, public works, education, economic development, and government. |
Graduate students work toward a master’s in one of three higher-level courses and programs. Master’s level candidates must fulfill departmental requirements, pass a general departmental examination, prepare a capstone, and present a public oral defense of the capstone. The University grants master’s degrees in the following departments and programs all in blended major/minor formats.
The UNS’s graduate degree programs are designed to prepare students for careers in public service and public policy-making. The graduate program emphasizes policy-oriented research and teaching. M.P.A. candidates follow a core curriculum and then branch into public policy research fields of concentration. They have the opportunity to gain real-world experience, completing a policy workshop for a real-world client. Workshops focus on criminal justice reform, smart cities, slums, and service delivery, among others. Students also gain professional experience during a required summer internship between their first and second years of study.
Whether undergraduate or graduate, our curriculum will offer innovation in delivery methods and training to maximize student learning by drawing on all the strengths of faculty:
- Modular course structure, enabling flexibility in adapting to the shifting and diverse demands of public employees
- Case study development focuses on government and public agencies and continuously incorporates into courses
- Innovative internships, projects, and research opportunities for students and faculty, enabling tighter integration between theory and practice.
1.3 Teaching method
UNS will use two modes of delivery: onsite and online. The University’s academic year commences from September to September. UNS’s expected initial student enrolment will begin in September 2023.