Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs

Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA)
Established 1972
Type Public
Dean John Graham
Academic staff
 100
Students 2,400
Location Bloomington and Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Website www.spea.indiana.edu

The Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (or SPEA) is one of the undergraduate and graduate schools of Indiana University, and is the largest public policy and environmental studies school of its kind in the United States. Founded in 1972, it was the first school to combine public management, policy, and administration with the environmental sciences.

SPEA was founded on the IU Bloomington campus, and today also has a campus at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). At Bloomington, faculty focus in seven areas: environmental science, public management, nonprofit organizations, civil society and law, public finance and budgeting, policy analysis and economics. The IUPUI campus has programs in public affairs, and criminal justice and public safety.

John D. Graham became the fourth dean in the school's history in fall 2008. Graham served in the White House Office of Management and Budget(OMB) from 2001 to 2006, and previously was a Professor of Policy and Decision Sciences at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Curriculum

SPEA at Indiana University

SPEA is the only institution in its league with an interdisciplinary character where students can combine science and public affairs. Indiana University's other highly ranked schools and programs complement SPEA's offerings; the school has 15 joint programs in social and natural sciences and professional fields. For example, in conjunction with the Department of Political Science, SPEA offers a Joint Ph.D. Program in Public Policy, the only one of its kind in the country. As another example, students interested in environmental studies can focus on the science or the public policy aspect under the same roof.

The Business/SPEA Information Commons on the Bloomington campus serves the research and study needs of students and faculty of both the School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Kelley School of Business.

Undergraduate degrees

Graduate degrees

Rankings

In the 2012 "Best Graduate Schools" survey by U.S. News & World Report, SPEA Bloomington ranked second in the US among MPA programs. Its programs in Environmental Policy and Management and in Nonprofit Management were ranked number one; four of its other specialty programs were ranked in the top 10 with one other in the top 20.[1] SPEA Bloomington is also a founding member of the Council of Environmental Science Deans and Directors.

Student life

SPEA Bloomington supports the Civic Leaders Center, a residential facility for freshmen from across the Indiana University campus who are interested in politics, economics, public affairs and the environment. It is located at the Briscoe Residence Center.

Students have taken the initiative to organize several clubs such as the Nonprofit Management Association, the public Affairs Student Association, the Environmental Management Association, Students Taking Active Roles Today (START), the International Public Affairs Association, and the Diversity Project.

At IUPUI, SPEA advises and supports the Justice and Pre-Law Community for freshmen living in The Tower who are interested in social justice. SPEA IUPUI students also created and implement publicINreview, and online journal focusing on regional issues in public affairs. Select criminal justice students also serve as cadets on the campus police force.

In addition, the Graduate Student Association works closely between students, faculty and staff, to coordinate communication among them and offer opportunities for leadership and involvement to the school's masters students. Elected officers attend regular meetings with faculty and staff to discuss programs, policies and other aspects of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs experience. Active members attend committee meetings and coordinate projects, trips, activities and parties. Every person in the professional masters programs at SPEA-IUB is a member of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs Graduate Student Association (GSA).

Institutes and centers

Global initiatives

Notable alumni and faculty

References

  1. ↑ "Graduate School Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 16 January 2012.

External links