Overview

The Urban And Public Affairs programme at Portland State University provides a multidisciplinary foundation for students interested in the complexities of city life and governance. This flexible degree allows learners to integrate diverse perspectives from across the College of Urban and Public Affairs to address contemporary societal issues. Students benefit from a curriculum that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical civic engagement.

Why Urban And Public Affairs at Portland State University?

Portland State University is recognised as a national pioneer in urban studies, offering a programme that embodies the innovative spirit of public engagement. The faculty consists of distinguished professionals who remain active in their fields, ensuring that the teaching remains relevant to current industry standards. The degree is highly adaptable, allowing students to apply previously earned credits and combine online learning with traditional classroom experiences.

The interdisciplinary focus enables students to break down academic silos by selecting courses from various departments, including public health and global studies. This approach helps graduates develop a versatile skill set that is highly valued in the modern job market. Additionally, the high-touch online platform ensures that distance learners maintain strong connections with peers and faculty through collaborative assignments and interactive discussions.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 34599 per year
National fee: USD 34599 per year
Local fee: USD 12999 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to be customisable, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific interests. Modules may include:

Urban Design and Planning
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Policy
Politics
Public Administration
Civic Engagement
Public Health
Economics
International and Global Studies

Careers with Urban And Public Affairs

Graduates are well-prepared for a variety of professional paths in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Many find employment with local and regional government agencies or organisations focused on urban development, economic opportunity, and environmental health. The programme also serves as a strong foundation for those pursuing further education in law, business, or specialised graduate studies.

Common career destinations include roles within non-profit organisations that promote racial justice, transportation initiatives, and civic engagement. The university maintains an excellent reputation for job placement, with many alumni successfully entering professional schools for medicine and education. The broad skill set acquired during the programme allows for significant flexibility in choosing a career path that aligns with individual goals.

Programme Structure

Courses include:
Urban design and planning
Crime prevention and criminal justice policy
Politics Public administration
Civic engagement
Public health
Economics
International & global studies

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-30 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-01-06 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-05 00:00:00
Starting 2027-03-31 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-03-05 00:00:00
Starting 2027-07-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-07-05 00:00:00

Language

English

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Credits

180 SCH

Delivered

Blended

Campus Location

Portland, United States

Disciplines

Public Policy View 321 other Bachelors in Public Policy in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.5

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

You must have a cumulative (overall) grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 when converted to the U.S. 4.0 grading scale.
Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement. You may be admitted to Portland State University and an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) pathway if you do not meet PSU's English Language Proficiency Requirement. Learn more about PSU’s English language programs.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Out-of-State

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12999 USD / year

≈ 12999 USD / year

Living costs

Portland

United States

1271 - 2262 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Urban And Public Affairs.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Portland

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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