St. Cloud State School of Public Affairs

Our Story

The School of Public Affairs (SOPA) comprises four departments that were housed in the former College of Social Sciences – Economics, Criminal Justice, Political Science, and Geography & Planning. The first three departments have not changed as a result of the reorganization, but the last one has expanded to include four faculty members specializing in planning and community development and who were formerly part of the former Department of Community Studies. We have about 50 full time faculty and approximately 1,500 majors, of which approximately 150 are graduate students. While we employ just under 6% of SCSU’s full time faculty, our students comprise over 8% of the SCSU undergraduate population and over 7% of the graduate population. Most importantly, enrollment in SOPA, measured by number of declared majors, is growing steadily in both the undergraduate and graduate categories. This trend reflects the growing demand by employers for persons trained in areas related to stewardship of the public interest. We have 9 baccalaureate and 4 Masters-level programs, taught by a first-rate faculty and supported by a fine staff.