Jun 07, 2026  
Working Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027 
    
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Working Undergraduate Catalog 2026-2027

Public Policy and Leadership (BS)

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Policy and Leadership (PPL) prepares students to connect people, policy, and place in addressing complex community challenges. The program integrates coursework in policy analysis, governance, sustainability, and urban resilience with applied experiences in government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge, leadership skills, and practical experiences needed for careers in public service, nonprofit management, and community leadership, as well as for advanced graduate study.

Please see the School of Public Policy and Leadership web page for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available on the UNLV Degrees Directory.

Advising

Please see advising information at the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Student Advising Center.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

University Graduation Requirements

Please see Graduation Policies  for complete information.

Recommended Courses That Meet General Education Core Requirements

The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs strongly recommends that students address their General Education Core curriculum requirements through our college. The following classes offered in our college meet graduation requirements:

Seminars

 

Humanities

Natural Sciences

Multicultural

International

Modality: Fully Online and Blended

This program is available in both Fully Online and Blended formats. Students may select their preferred modality at the time of admission. Those who choose the fully online option are committing to complete their entire degree through online education and will be identified as fully online students in MyUNLV. If circumstances or preferences change after admission, students may request a change in modality through the official change of major process. Academic advisors are available to help students select the format that best supports their academic and personal goals and can assist with any changes needed.

Public Policy and Leadership (BS) Degree Requirements - Total Credits: 120

General Education Requirements - Subtotal: 33-37 Credits

First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3

English Composition - Credits: 6

 

Second-Year Seminar - Credits: (Fulfilled by Major Requirements)

Constitutions - Credits: 4-6

 

Mathematics - Credits: 3

Distribution Requirement - Credits: 18-19

Please see Distribution Requirements  for more information

Humanities and Fine Arts - Credits: 9
  • Two 3-credit courses in the humanities
  • One 3-credit course in fine arts
Social Science - Credits: 0
  • Automatically satisfied by Major requirement
Natural Sciences and Analytical Thinking - Credits: 9-10

Multicultural and International

  • Multicultural, one 3 credit course required
  • International, one 3 credit course required

These courses may overlap with general education and major requirements.  A single course may not meet the multicultural and international requirements simultaneously. List of approved Multicultural and International courses.

Major Degree Requirement - BS in Public Policy and Leadership - Credits: 39

Public Policy and Leadership Core Requirements - Total Credits: 18

Additional Courses in Public Policy and Leadership - Credits: 21

Select 21 credits from the following list, 12 credits of the 21 credits of major electives should be from upper-division (300-400 level) classes:

General Electives - Credits: 38 - 47

Total Credits: 120

 

Notes

  1. GSC 300  is a required course for all majors in Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. 

  2. Must complete 42 upper division (300-400) level credits.

  3. Must complete 30 upper division (300-400) level credits at UNLV in residence.

  4. A maximum of four (4) credits of PEX activity courses may apply to the Public Policy and Leadership B.S. degree.

  5. URST 301  is a Milestone Experience course for Public Policy and Leadership B.S.
  6. URST 498  is a Culminating Experience course for Public Policy and Leadership B.S.