We educate people to be effective public service leaders in the global community guided by the values of St. Vincent de Paul.
The School of Public Service promotes effective management of nonprofit organizations and government agencies, and fosters the development of sound public policies affecting the delivery of social services. Programs of instruction, research, and community engagement prepare graduate and undergraduate students to pursue careers in a broad range of public service organizations. Following the tradition of St. Vincent de Paul, the School of Public Service devotes special attention to policies and practices that promote social equity through the delivery of affordable, quality services to those in greatest need.
While the knowledge and skills required to manage organizations in the public sector are becoming indistinguishable from the best practices used in the private and nonprofit sectors, the ultimate goals of these organizations provide a sharp distinction. The School of Public Service keeps this distinction firmly in view in its course offerings. The curriculum carefully balances theoretical and applied approaches to contemporary challenges of administration and policy analysis.
The school emphasizes ethical leadership in all aspects of its curriculum and offers short-term study abroad experiences. Consistent with its mission, the School of Public Service purposefully strives to build an academic community that is racially, ethnically, religiously, and otherwise diverse. Part-time and full-time students are equally welcome.