Our Schools

Four schools, one shared goal

We see every student as an agent of change in society, capable of solving problems and improving our collective well-being. Students in our college come from all backgrounds and don’t just receive education, they engage in it. Our college is organized around four schools with a common goal of training next-generation leaders in public service while providing the hands-on opportunities to make a difference today.

The School of Community Resources & Development offers high-quality programs in nonprofit leadership and management, parks and recreation management, tourism development and management (including a concentration in sustainable tourism), and community sports management, and is regarded as a leading institution in each area. The school advances the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of local and global communities through instruction, research and service.

The School of Criminology & Criminal Justice is one of the top-ranked in the U.S., ranked #5 overall by US News & World Report. The school combines a dynamic faculty, action-oriented research and excellent instruction. Students are challenged by full-time faculty and criminal justice professionals who combine the best of theory and practice in an exciting curriculum. The faculty is recognized for its contributions to policy and practice at every level.

The School of Public Affairs is among the best in the U.S. in public service and public policy (#14 overall by US News & World Report). Among programs focused on city management and urban policy, it is ranked 2nd in the nation. The school’s faculty and students are advancing innovation in the practice of informatics, policy analysis, participatory governance and urban innovation.

The School of Social Work is among the best in the U.S. in public service and public policy (#25 overall by US News & World Report). The school is one of the largest and most diverse social work programs in the world, preparing social work practitioners committed to social justice and serving and empowering individuals, families and communities. Students are prepared for applied practice and policy roles with special attention to cultural diversity and child welfare.

We have dozens of research centers, institutes, and offices in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions which inform policymakers on critical issues, identify solutions and work on local, regional, national and global challenges.