UNCW educates students to become informed citizens, engaged and empowered for leadership in local, national and global arenas.

The Department of Public and International Affairs, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, advances this mission by providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make positive change in public and nonprofit settings.

In addition to an undergraduate degree in political science, the department offers graduate degree programs in public administration, conflict management and resolution, and coastal and ocean policy.  

The nationally accredited Master of Public Administration (MPA) program prepares students for careers in public service or nonprofit management. The program is ideal for working professionals, offering flexible class schedules and online courses. Most students complete the program in two to three years.

The Master of Arts and Graduate Certification in Conflict Management and Resolution program is designed for professionals, practitioners and students who wish to gain a greater understanding of conflict in both domestic and international settings. The program’s blended, semi-distance model accommodates full-time employees, military personnel and other students who may not be able to attend face-to-face courses on a regular basis. Courses are taught at UNCW’s main campus and at the Base Education Center (BEC) at Camp Lejeune.

The Master of Coastal and Ocean Policy (MCOP) prepares students for leadership roles in governmental and nongovernmental organizations involved in the formulation, implementation and administration of marine policy. The program is helping meet the demand for professionals equipped to navigate issues affecting coastal regions and make informed decisions about ocean resources.

On Nov. 8, the Department of Public and International Affairs is hosting an open house for the campus and the community. It is a unique opportunity to learn more about the department’s three graduate programs, meet with faculty and staff, and hear directly from current students.

“The Open House is a great way to learn about the quality graduate programs offered by the Department of Public and International Affairs,” said Dr. Jeffrey L. Brudney, director of the MPA program.  “These programs are highly affordable and can lead to fulfilling careers.”

The Department of Public and International Affairs Open House is Thursday, Nov. 8 from 4 to 6 p.m in the lobby of Leutze Hall. For more information, visit the MPA website.

Aswani Volety, Ph.D., is dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina Wilmington,  Executive Director of the UNCW Center for Marine Science, and a professor in the Department of Biology and Marine Biology. Volety earned a Ph.D. in marine science from the College of William & Mary, and a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Andhra University. The College of Arts and Sciences is UNCW’s largest academic unit, employing over 450 full-time and 150 part-time faculty members and awarding approximately three quarters of the university’s academic credits. Volety serves as the chief academic, fiscal and administrative officer of the college, which is responsible for educating students across the arts, sciences, humanities and social sciences. Volety is also past president of the Southern Association of Marine Labs.To learn more about the UNCW College of Arts and Sciences, visit www.uncw.edu/cas. Questions and comments can be sent to [email protected].