Be the solution
Welcome to the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions
By the numbers
Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions is a comprehensive public service college dedicated to fully integrating teaching, research and service to address social problems.
It is without peer in the number and breadth of degree programs, the level of externally-funded research activity, and student enrollment.
By the numbers:
Our degree programs cover the spectrum of public service, including public policy, social work, criminology and criminal justice, nonprofit leadership, emergency management, community development, parks and recreation, and more. Our student body is diverse, with high percentages of first-generation, minority, veteran and transfer students. Our renowned faculty and 20+ research centers conduct groundbreaking work that addresses real-world problems. We partner with hundreds of nonprofit and government agencies to make a difference in the community. The college’s impact can be seen at the local, state, national and international level.
#6
online Graduate program
#3
Information and Technology Management
#2
Emergency Management and Homeland Security
#3
Local Government Management
#9
Urban Policy
#5
Public Management and Leadership
#5
Nonprofit Management
#10
Environmental Policy and Management
#16
Public Finance and Budgeting
#17
Public Policy Analysis
#22
Social Policy
#6
online MSW program
- Best MSW Programs
#8
among public institutions
- US News & World Report
"Best Graduate School"
Our Students
Our student body is a point of pride. Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions is ASU’s most diverse. It features the highest percentages of minority, college transfer, military veterans and first-generation college students.
From day one of their college experience, our students are immersed in hands-on learning. They are paired with community partners to tackle real-world problems and play an active role in determining and implementing solutions. This provides both an educational and service-based experience. All totaled, students in Watts College deliver more than half a million hours of community service each year.
Our commitment to service
The ASU Public Allies program pairs individuals with local nonprofits, providing meaningful help while learning valuable leadership and nonprofit management skills. Spirit of Service Scholars learn about pressing societal issues in an in-depth manner and are mentored by noteable civic leaders. The Public Service Academy is the nation’s first civilian leadership corps designed to give students the skills and experience to lead across the public, private, nonprofit and military sectors.
Our research
Solutions to some of our communities' most pressing challenges are developed from the rigorous, applied research conducted by students, faculty and research centers.
- Our social work research improves outcomes for children who end up in Arizona’s child welfare system, helps stop the sex trafficking of minors and identifies domestic violence victims at risk of harm. The lives of refugees who’ve fled violence or oppression are bettered by our research that seeks new ways for them to succeed in their new surroundings.
- The research of our criminologists helps improve policing, reduces crime and keeps offenders from returning to prison.
- Our public management research improves the efficiency of local government, encourages sustainable practices and explores new ways for citizens to be involved in the decision-making process.
- Community resources and development students and professors work with local communities on water scarcity, therapeutic recreation, tourism development and improving local parks and youth sports programs.
- More than 20 research centers in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions inform policymakers on critical issues, identify solutions and work on local, regional, national and global challenges.
The college is redefining the meaning of public service and demonstrating the potential to build the communities and society we want. We are advancing a solutions-based approach to public service research and education.