We have paused admission to the public service and nonprofit leadership program for fall 2024. In addition to minors in political science, global studies and community leadership, we offer several bachelor’s degree programs that offer parallel skills and prepare you for related careers:
- Business: Build the skills, resources and connections to become a successful, innovative leader.
- Communication Arts: Customize your degree through degree options in advertising and public relations, cinema and media arts, digital media and human relations.
- Homeland Security: Develop the tools to defend, protect, act and react to threats small and large, from bioterrorism to data breaches to natural disasters.
- Professional and Technical Communications: Focuses on real-world experiences tailored to your career ambitions and prepares you to excel in any professional environment.
What is public service and nonprofit leadership?
At its heart, public service is the act of contributing toward the greater good. This field serves students who are also concerned citizens interested in finding solutions to public issues. Drawing on roots in political science, sociology, history and economics, the public service discipline prepares students for a broad range of careers in fields including civil service, education, law, nonprofits and more.
Why study public service and nonprofit leadership at UNH Manchester?
With an emphasis on interdisciplinary and applied learning, the hands-on public service and nonprofit leadership program at UNH explores the ways that leaders and citizens work in and around government and civic organizations to address today’s complex societal problems. This program is designed with your flexibility in mind, offering all major courses and some Discovery Program courses fully online with synchronous meetings during the evening. Through internships and project-based service learning in government, law, nonprofit organizations and more, public service majors develop skills in critical thinking, problem solving, community engagement, communication, research and data analysis, teamwork and leadership. Students graduate prepared for careers in the public and not-for-profit sectors or for advanced study in public administration, public policy, community development and more.
Potential career areas
- Community organizations
- Corporate community relations
- Foundations/corporate philanthropy
- Government
- Lobbying and law firms
- Not-for-profit corporations
- Policy-planning organizations
- Research and education
- Social service agencies
- Think tanks
With graduate-level courses built into the undergraduate program, Public Service students earn 9 credits towards a master's degree should they choose to pursue one. The Accelerated Master's Program gives diligent students the opportunity to complete a bachelor's in public service and nonprofit leadership and a Master in Public Policy or Master of Public Administration from the Carsey School of Public Policy in as few as five years by taking graduate-level courses during your junior and/or senior years at UNH Manchester.
Curriculum & Requirements
Beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year, the Public Service and Nonprofit Leadership major will no longer be accepting new students. Current Public Service and Nonprofit Leadership students will continue to have access to the same high-quality education and resources until they graduate.
The bachelor of science degree in public service and nonprofit leadership provides an interdisciplinary, applied approach to the study of public and not-for-profit institutions and actors. Students explore the ways that leaders and citizens work in and around governments to address the complex problems confronted by New Hampshire and the United States today.
All students choose a path that enables them to complete an accelerated Masters in Public Policy or Masters in Public Administration, where they take their most advanced courses in the Major alongside graduate students in the UNH Carsey School of Public Policy. Those courses count as 12 credits toward their BS degree and as 9 credits toward a UNH-Carsey MPP or MPA, should a student choose to continue on to a Masters. Most students entering as first-year students will be able to complete a combined BS/MPA or BS/MPP within five years.
Public Service majors develop essential, transferable skills in critical thinking, practical problem solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, civic and community engagement, research, and data analysis. Coursework emphasizes experiential learning, such as interning at the N.H. State House or with local lobbying firms, engaged research in the real world, and hands-on service learning at a range of not-for-profit organizations in health, human services, advocacy, and the arts. All students must undertake at least one semester-long internship and at least one independent research project to be presented at the UNH Undergraduate Research Conference.
Public service and nonprofit leadership graduates can pursue careers in state and local government, political campaigns, advocacy, non-profit organizations, journalism, education, and more, and are prepared to pursue graduate studies in law, public policy, public administration, community development, and public health.
For more information, contact the UNH Manchester Admissions office. For current students, contact the UNH Manchester Academic Advising office.
This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. UNH Manchester undergraduate students will develop individual academic plans with their professional advisor during the first year at UNH.
Sample Course Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| UMST 401 or UMST 402 | First Year Seminar or Transfer Seminar | 1-2 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| PS 402 | Practical Politics | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 17-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | 4 | |
| PS 500 | Wicked Problems: Puzzles in Public Policy | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PS 506 | Civil Society and Public Policy | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PS 515 | New Hampshire Politics in Action | 4 |
| Major elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Major elective | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PS 595 | Research for Political and Policy Action | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MPP or MPA course | 4 | |
| MPP or MPA course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| PS 701 | Senior Seminar/Internship in Public Service | 4 |
| MPP or MPA course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 129-130 | |
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
Students must complete 128 credits to graduate, including 44 credits in the public service and nonprofit leadership major. Students must maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a cumulative GPA in the major of 2.0. No credit toward the major will be given for any course in which the student receives a grade of less than C-. Students also must fulfill the UNH Discovery Program requirements. Up to three courses may be used toward both the public service and nonprofit leadership major and UNH Discovery Program requirements. Transfer students must take at least 28 credits in the major at UNH Manchester.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PS 402 | Practical Politics | 4 |
| PS 500 | Wicked Problems: Puzzles in Public Policy | 4 |
| PS 506 | Civil Society and Public Policy | 4 |
| PS 515 | New Hampshire Politics in Action | 4 |
| PS 595 | Research for Political and Policy Action | 4 |
| PS 701 | Senior Seminar/Internship in Public Service | 4 |
| or INCO 505I | Internship: Semester in the City (Boston) or Semester for Impact (NH) | |
| Select eight credits from the following courses: | 8 | |
PS #501 | Social and Political-Economic Theory | |
PS #507 | Justice, Law and Politics | |
PS #510 | Politics of Food | |
PS #520 | Globalization: Politics, Economics and Culture | |
PS #599 | Peer Educator Development | |
PS #651 | Selected Topics: Public Service | |
PS 731 | Community Leadership - Capstone | |
PS #750 | Poverty & Inequality Past and Present | |
ECN 411 | Introduction to Macroeconomic Principles | |
ECN 412 | Introduction to Microeconomic Principles | |
ECN 650 | Economics for Managers | |
HMP 401 | United States Health Care Systems | |
HMP 403 | Introduction to Public Health | |
INCO 505A & INCO 505B | Becoming a Problem Solver and Social Innovator's Toolbox | |
UMST 599 | Special Topics | |
| Select one path from the following: | 12 | |
| MPA Path: | ||
PA 700 | Foundations and Theories of Public Administration | |
PA 709 | Organization and Management in Public and Nonprofit Sectors | |
PA 718 | Nonprofit Management | |
| MPP Path: | ||
PPOL 706 | Fundamentals of Policy Analysis | |
PPOL 712 | Strategies for Policy Impact | |
PPOL 722 | Media Strategy and Communication | |
| Total Credits | 44 | |
By the end of their degree program, Public Service & Nonprofit Leadership majors should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and core values so that they are positioned to be leaders in public and nonprofit organizations and effective analysts of and advocates for effective public policies.
Knowledge
- Describe key theories of policymaking, and explain which of them they think is most useful to make sense of particular issues in particular historical periods.
- Describe the relations between the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors as they effect politics, power, and policy making and explain how those relationships have changed over time.
- Describe the legislative process in the US and their state, offering specific examples of why some Bills become law and others do not.
- Develop and articulate a Theory of Change that encapsulates their own understanding of how political change has happened in the US in the past and of the ways in which political and policy changes that they care about might be enacted in the present and future.
Skills
- Design and execute an original multi-methods research project, including being able to: craft a well-formulated, researchable research question; develop credible hypotheses; produce a literature review that lays out the context in which their research will take place; design an appropriate means by which their hypotheses might be tested; conduct such original research; analyze those results using quantitative and/or qualitative methods, as appropriate; evaluate the meaning of their findings; produce visual representations (charts, graphs, tables) of their findings.
- Produce a polished, professional-quality Policy Brief.
- Design and execute a legislative advocacy strategy
- Identify sources for relevant, reliable, ethically gathered data and research and retrieve such data, evaluating its validity and reliability.
- Synthesize complex data and information and present it in written or oral form concisely and coherently.
- Effectively present research findings to a public audience, in-person and online.
- Communicate, in writing and verbally, clearly and professionally.
- Work effectively in groups and teams.
- Assume leadership roles if and when appropriate.
- Apply theories of leadership and management to their actually existing workplaces.
- Demonstrate capacity for graduate-level work in Public Policy, Public Administration, and related disciplines in the social sciences and human services.
Values
- Embody and act upon knowledge of cultural differences and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience and perspectives.
- Articulate the value of open democracy and engaged citizenship in building healthy communities at the local, national and global levels.
- Describe their own professional mission and their ethic of service.
Explore Program Details
By the end of their degree program, Public Service and Nonprofit Leadership majors should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and core values so that they are positioned to be leaders in public and nonprofit organizations and effective analysts of and advocates for effective public policies.
Knowledge
-
Describe key theories of policymaking, and explain which of them they think is most useful to make sense of particular issues in particular historical periods
- Describe the relations between the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors as they effect politics, power, and policy making and explain how those relationships have changed over time
- Describe the legislative process in the US and their state, offering specific examples of why some Bills become law and others do not
- Develop and articulate a Theory of Change that encapsulates their own understanding of how political change has happened in the US in the past and of the ways in which political and policy changes that they care about might be enacted in the present and future
Skills
- Design and execute an original multi-methods research project, including being able to: craft a well-formulated, researchable research question; develop credible hypotheses; produce a literature review that lays out the context in which their research will take place; design an appropriate means by which their hypotheses might be tested; conduct such original research; analyze those results using quantitative and/or qualitative methods, as appropriate; evaluate the meaning of their findings; produce visual representations (charts, graphs, tables) of their findings
- Produce a polished, professional-quality Policy Brief
- Design and execute a legislative advocacy strategy
- Identify sources for relevant, reliable, ethically gathered data and research and retrieve such data, evaluating its validity and reliability
- Synthesize complex data and information and present it in written or oral form concisely and coherently
- Effectively present research findings to a public audience, in-person and online
- Communicate, in writing and verbally, clearly and professionally
- Work effectively in groups and teams
- Assume leadership roles if and when appropriate
- Apply theories of leadership and management to their actually existing workplaces
- Demonstrate capacity for graduate-level work in Public Policy, Public Administration, and related disciplines in the social sciences and human services
Values
- Embody and act upon knowledge of cultural differences and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience and perspectives
- Articulate the value of open democracy and engaged citizenship in building healthy communities at the local, national and global levels
- Describe their own professional mission and their ethic of service
Internships
Our campus is in the heart of the region’s cultural, economic, entertainment and government activity — putting unlimited internship opportunities at your doorstep. We’ve partnered with government, local businesses and community organizations to give you the real-world experience that sets you apart. Public service majors have interned at many high-profile organizations in the area, including:
- Ascentria Care Alliance
- Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains
- Manchester City Hall
- New Hampshire Republican State Committee
- Office of Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter
- Turkish Cultural Center
- UNH’s Washington Center: Spend a semester studying & interning in Washington, D.C.
Semester in the City
As a public service major, you have the opportunity to spend a semester in Boston interning at a leading social change organization while earning 16 credits toward your degree. The Semester in the City program connects you with a nonprofit, business or public sector organization where you’ll intern 30+ hours a week in community development, social justice, health, education, environment and other areas dedicated to the public good. This transformative 14-week experience immerses you in current social issues while building the skills and network that prepares you for your life and career after graduation.
Combining academic and experiential learning, our community leadership minor provides students with opportunities to develop leadership principles, values, practices and processes that are valuable in any field.
Actively engage in global issues while developing cross-cultural awareness through our global studies minor, which gives you the knowlege, skills and analytical reasoning to analyze the impact of 21st century issues on regional, national and global communities.
The legal advocacy minor develops the skill-sets and knowledge bases that will help you succeed in law school, as well as in any political, media, or nonprofit career path in which strong oral and written advocacy skills are required.
Add a breadth of perspective to your degree with our political economy minor, helping you land a career in government, public service, business, communications or law.
Our political science minor gives you a foundation in American government and international politics that enriches your studies and your resume — helping you land a career in government, public service, nonprofits, international affairs or law.
With graduate-level courses built into the undergraduate curriculum, public service students earn 9 credits towards a master's degree program. Diligent students can complete a bachelor's in public service and nonprofit leadership and a master's degree through the Carsey School of Public Policy by taking graduate-level courses during your junior and/or senior years at UNH Manchester. Click on the master's degree title below to learn more about each program.
Master in Public Policy (M.P.P.)
The Master in Public Policy degree (M.P.P.) offers you the opportunity to learn the skills you need to succeed in today’s public policy profession—analytical expertise, strategic vision, clear and compelling communications, and the tools of leadership. The M.P.P. degree is ideal whether you will be completing your bachelor’s degree in the near future or are currently working in a policy-related field. You can choose a track focused on policy analysis or strategy and communications—and select from a broad range of electives to personalize your degree. Built into the unique curriculum are a variety of experiential learning opportunities to deepen and broaden what you learn in the classroom, such as:
- Colloquium in Washington, DC: You will be immersed in the capital scene – meeting with leaders in Congress, the White House, government agencies, political parties, advocacy groups, think tanks, and more.
- Policy Internship: You will work in a policy-focused organization to gain practical, real-world experience and a valuable perspective on careers in public policy.
- Capstone Project: You will employ the skills you have gained to delve deeply into a specific policy area to produce a comprehensive written report and oral presentation.
The Master in Public Policy degree (M.P.P.) offers you the opportunity to learn the skills you need to succeed in today’s public policy profession—analytical expertise, strategic vision, clear and compelling communications, and the tools of leadership. The M.P.P. degree is ideal whether you will be completing your bachelor’s degree in the near future or are currently working in a policy-related field. You can choose a track focused on policy analysis or strategy and communications—and select from a broad range of electives to personalize your degree. Built into the unique curriculum are a variety of experiential learning opportunities to deepen and broaden what you learn in the classroom, such as:
- Colloquium in Washington, DC: You will be immersed in the capital scene – meeting with leaders in Congress, the White House, government agencies, political parties, advocacy groups, think tanks, and more.
- Policy Internship: You will work in a policy-focused organization to gain practical, real-world experience and a valuable perspective on careers in public policy.
- Capstone Project: You will employ the skills you have gained to delve deeply into a specific policy area to produce a comprehensive written report and oral presentation.
You can earn your M.P.P. degree in as little as 14 months (or 12 months for accelerated UNH students). You can also choose to earn your M.P.P. degree over a longer period by attending part time. Academic courses are offered in person on the UNH Durham campus with a portion of the experiential learning taking place offsite.
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)
The Master of Public Administration degree (M.P.A.) offers you the opportunity to learn the skills you need in all aspects of government and nonprofit management including the tools of leadership, program evaluation, budgets, planning, personnel, collective bargaining, and policy analysis. The program provides an accessible and responsive curriculum so you can address issues that are important to your region which values democratic involvement, accountability, and administrative competency in the provision and delivery of public services through its towns, cities, state agencies, and a wide range of non-governmental organizations.
- Flexible schedule accommodates full-time working professionals with courses offered year-round, typically meeting one evening per week or online
- Study with public service professionals and professors who bring strong analysis and best practices to your learning
- Graduate in as little as 16 months (full time) or 21 months (part time)
Academic courses are offered online and in person on the UNH Manchester campus, with additional elective courses offered in person on the UNH Durham campus.
The Master of Public Administration degree (M.P.A.) offers you the opportunity to learn the skills you need in all aspects of government and nonprofit management including the tools of leadership, program evaluation, budgets, planning, personnel, collective bargaining, and policy analysis. The program provides an accessible and responsive curriculum so you can address issues that are important to your region which values democratic involvement, accountability, and administrative competency in the provision and delivery of public services through its towns, cities, state agencies, and a wide range of non-governmental organizations.
- Flexible schedule accommodates full-time working professionals with courses offered year-round, typically meeting one evening per week or online
- Study with public service professionals and professors who bring strong analysis and best practices to your learning
- Graduate in as little as 16 months (full time) or 21 months (part time)
Academic courses are offered online and in person on the UNH Manchester campus, with additional elective courses offered in person on the UNH Durham campus.
With diverse concentrations and a highly flexible curriculum, your public service and nonprofit leadership degree will open doors to limitless career and graduate education opportunities.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects positive growth in many related professions between 2016 and 2026. Make an impact with career possibilities in industries like government, politics, international affairs, journalism, law, business and more.
|
Job Title |
Job Growth |
Median Salary |
|
Arbitrator, Mediator or Conciliator |
10% |
$60,670 |
|
Fundraising & Public Relations Manager |
10% |
$111,280 |
|
Paralegal or Legal Assistant |
15% |
$50,410 |
|
Political Science Teacher, Postsecondary |
11% |
$81,430 |
|
Social Community Service, Nonprofit or Government Agency Manager |
18% |
$64,100 |
|
Urban or Regional Planner |
13% |
$71,490 |
There are a wealth of job opportunities in New Hampshire for public service and nonprofit leadership majors. Here are just a few places to start your search:
In partnership with the New Hampshire community colleges below, we've developed curriculum guides to show you which courses at your community college will transfer into UNH Manchester's public service and nonprofit leadership program.
Questions? Contact an admission counselor for help.
Program News
