Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs

The Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs (or SPEA) is the largest school of its kind in the United States. Through the wide array of concentrations and joint degrees SPEA offers, students can design an education corresponding to their interests. Founded in 1972 at Indiana University, SPEA is known for its distinctive interdisciplinary approach. It brings together the social, natural, behavioral, political, business and administrative sciences in one school. SPEA degrees are offered on every Indiana University Campus (Bloomington, Indianapolis , Kokomo, Fort Wayne and Gary).In the 2009 "Best Graduate Schools" survey by U.S. News & World Report, SPEA ranked second in the country and is the nation’s highest-ranked graduate program in public affairs at a public institution. Six of its specialty programs are ranked in the top 10 listings; four others are in the top 20. While similar rankings do not yet exist for graduate schools of environmental science, SPEA's reputation in the field is growing. SPEA is also a founding member of the Council of Environmental Science Deans and Directors. SPEA is the only institution in its league with an interdisciplinary character where students can combine science and public affairs. Indiana University's other highly ranked schools and programs complement SPEA’s offerings; the school has 15 joint programs in social and natural sciences and professional fields. For example, in conjunction with the Department of Political Science, SPEA offers a Joint Ph.D. Program in Public Policy, the only one of its kind in the country. As another example, students interested in environmental studies can focus on the science or the public policy aspect under the same roof. In addition, it offers many joint Masters degrees, such as MPA/MSES; MPA/JD; MHA/JD; MHA/MBA; and MSES/JD programs.

Student Life

Students have taken the initiative to organize several clubs such as the Nonprofit Management Association, the Environmental Management Association, Students Taking Active Roles Today (START) and the Diversity Project.In addition, the Graduate Student Association works closely between students, faculty and staff, to coordinate communication among them and offer opportunities for leadership and involvement to the school's masters students. Elected officers attend regular meetings with faculty and staff to discuss programs, policies and other aspects of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs experience. Active members attend committee meetings and coordinate projects, trips, activities and parties. Every person in the professional masters programs at SPEA-IUB is a member of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs Graduate Student Association (GSA).Outside of SPEA, you'll find coffeehouses, festivals, bookstores, open-air markets, historic architecture, cafés, restaurants of every cuisine, lakes, parks, museums, theaters and live music such as the Lotus Festival, which showcases bands from every corner of the earth. Bloomington is an hour's drive from Indianapolis and the Indianapolis International Airport, two hours from Louisville, three from Cincinnati, and four from Chicago and St. Louis.

Notable Alumni & Faculty

David B. Audretsch

Lynton K. Caldwell

Lee Herbert Hamilton

Paul O'Neill (cabinet member)

Elinor Ostrom

Tavis Smiley

External links

* [http://www.indiana.edu/~speaweb/ SPEA Homepage]

School of Public & Environmental Affairs Institutes and Centers

Center for Urban Policy and the Environment:John L. Krauss, Director

Center for Health Policy:Eric R. Wright, Director

Geographic Information Systems Laboratory: J.C. Randolph, Director

The Great Lakes Center for Public Affairs and Administration: Karen G. Evans, Director

Indiana University Research and Teaching Preserve (IURTP) Institute for Development Strategies: David Audretsch, Director

Institute for Family and Social Responsibility: Maureen Pirog, Director

Institute for the Study of Government and the Nonprofit Sector

Transportation Research Center (TRC):David Good, Director

SPEA's Global Initiatives

Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis:Elinor Ostrom, Director