Undergraduate Programs

Public Service & Leadership Minor

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MAKE A LIVING, MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Studies consistently show that young people today are service-oriented. This means that today's college students want to learn how to make a living, but also, how to make a difference! The good news is that there are opportunities to give back and make a difference in nearly every field.

Modern governments increasingly rely on a combination of public, private, and nonprofit organizations to shape public policy and deliver critical services. For example, governments partner with private construction and engineering firms to develop public infrastructure. They rely on nonprofit organizations to administer social services. And while government sets healthcare policy, it is carried out by healthcare professionals on a daily basis. Today, over 80% of hospitals in the U.S. are public or nonprofit organizations.

These are just a few of countless examples. And what's more, private companies are increasingly focused on serving their communities (both local and global) through good corporate citizenship and community engagement. This means that there are opportunities for you to make a living and a difference no matter what you're majoring in!

LEARNING TO LEAD

While these professional opportunities are plentiful, they also require a unique set of skills and competencies. In order to make a real difference, you need to learn how to work effectively in teams, lead in collaborative and non-hierarchical environments, recognize and respond to the needs of diverse communities, navigate the unique accountability standards that come with public dollars, and so much more.

A minor in Public Service & Leadership (formerly known as Public Administration) can help you to develop these skills while preparing you for unique public service opportunities in your field. Our courses introduce you to the context of public service, the challenges of ethically and effectively serving the public interest, the nuances of networked organizations, and the theories of leadership necessary to be an effective change-maker!

What's more, our courses are taught by a mix of expert faculty members and experienced professionals who will engage you with real-world challenges, right here in the Tampa Bay region! See the PSL Minor Flyer for more information.

CURRICULUM

The minor consists of 15 credit hours minimum, including 3 core courses and 2 electives. Two of our core courses meets the enhanced General Education requirement for Ethical Reasoning and Community Engagement (ERCE), and there are a broad range of electives available to choose from.

View undergraduate catalog for:

Course Grade Requirement

Only courses in which a grade of "C-" or better is attained will count towards the minor.

Contact Information

For more information about the minor in Public Service & Leadership, please contact the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Jocilyn Martinez.

Declare a minor for any degree/major/program

 Contact an Academic Advisor at ISSadvise@usf.edu
Declare a concentration for the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (ISS) Contact an Academic Advisor at ISSadvise@usf.edu

Declare a concentration for the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS)

 Contact an Academic Advisor at BGSadvise@usf.edu
Declare a concentration for the Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (BSAS) Contact an Academic Advisor at BSASadvise@usf.edu