Department of Public & International Affairs

Public & International Affairs Public & International Affairs

Welcome to the Department of Public and International Affairs (PIA). We are dedicated to teaching, research, service, and public engagement in the areas of politics and public administration in the local, state, national, and international arenas.

Our department is actively engaged in innovative teaching models which connect faculty, students, and area government and nonprofits to provide opportunities for student learning, faculty research, and administrative support. Look through our website and see the variety of exciting and interesting programs we offer.

Joint Meeting of the North Carolina Political Science Association and the North Carolina Public Administration Alliance conference

Undergraduate Programs A knowledge of political science and public policy will benefit you in any career you pursue. Explore our majors and minors. See Undergraduate Programs

Graduate Programs Advance your career with a master’s degree or graduate certificate departments. See Graduate Programs

Beyond the classroom

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Internships Internships offer students valuable experience in a real-world setting.Internships can be used to gain academic credit and/or to build up student resumes. Explore Offerings

Study Abroad Research shows that students who study abroad go on to have higher GPAs, graduate at higher rates, and improve their ability to acquire a language than their classmates who stay home. Take Off

Community Engagement Our students are actively engaged in contributing positively and measurably to communities and university relations. Get Involved

CHSSA Research and Innovation

Explore the broad range of research and scholarly activities taking place at UNCW's College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts.

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MPA Open House

The UNCW Master of Public Administration (MPA) program will be hosting a virtual Open House on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. To reserve a spot, please contact MPA Program Coordinator Craig Kelly at kellyc@uncw.edu for the Zoom link.

MCOP News

Kathryn Little is studying coastal and ocean policy for her master’s at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she assesses the viability of water quality trading markets to different regions of North Carolina to leverage solutions for nutrient pollution. She will serve with the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT). “I am excited about my placement in the NCDOT,” says Little. “Every entity and person within North Carolina rely on the transportation infrastructure, and I look forward to interacting with a wide variety of stakeholders to gain a better understanding of the challenges that face North Carolina in achieving its sustainability and resiliency goals.”

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Invest in Our Seahawks

Your gift UNCW can be designated for Public and International Affairs or any number of scholarships and programs across the university. Help inspire the next generation of Seahawks.

PIA giving page