Undergraduate Programs
Training the next generation of public service professionals
We offer seven undergraduate degree programs. Guided by our world-class faculty, as an undergraduate student, you can engage in active learning about politics, complex social and public problems, criminal behavior, environmental challenges, leading people, policy, and programs, and international relations.
Through classroom simulations, internships, guest speakers, and research collaborations, we will offer you the kinds of experiential and classroom learning opportunities that will best position you for a career making a difference in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors.
Whatever major you choose, you’ll be inspired to lead, equipped to serve, and connected to a wealth of opportunities. You will gain the knowledge and develop the skills to make a difference—to succeed in the nonprofit, corporate, or governmental sectors of the economy.
Inspired to lead — Equipped to serve — Connected to opportunity
BA in Criminology & Criminal Justice
You will gain an empirical understanding about the factors that influence the decision making practices of individuals within various criminal justice institutions, including programs that are designed to prevent crime, meet the needs of victims, and rehabilitate criminals.
Located in Springfield, the hub of Illinois political activity, our Political Science degree gives you access to a laboratory for the study of government and politics enriched with internship opportunities for practical experience.
Utilizing the locational advantages of the state capital of Illinois, our Public Policy degree will equip you with the necessary tools to participate in the advocacy, drafting, and analysis of public policy.
Our Public Administration degree will prepare you for a management career in local, state, and federal governments and the nonprofit sector. Located in Springfield, the program offers many opportunities for practical learning through its access to state government and historical sites.
Our Environmental Studies degree will provide you with the advanced interdisciplinary training necessary for solving environmental problems and to pursue careers in the fast-growing field of sustainability.
Our Global Studies degree offers an interdisciplinary approach emphasizing political science, history, economics, sociology/anthropology, communication, and environmental studies. It will prepare you for careers ranging from international business and international media to foreign service and the Peace Corps (Concentrations: Globalization or Politics and Diplomacy).
Our Legal Studies degree emphasizes how the legal system works, how it interrelates with social change, and how it assists people in asserting their rights. It will prepare you for law-related careers, law school, or further graduate level study .
Be a fully online student, blend your classes (take some online, take some on campus), or take them all on campus- the choice is yours at UIS.
Wherever you are in your CPAA undergraduate journey, our Program Student Advisors are here to help
Add another dimension to your degree with a CPAA minor