Engage!

Metropolitan. Research. Distinction.
These are concepts that drive our vision. We fulfill our mission through community partnerships, basic and applied research that involve faculty and students, and the advancement of knowledge in our disciplines through exploration and teaching, We assist nonprofit entities and local, state, and federal government through our expertise in public policy. Faculty and staff help to enhance the quality of life and business opportunities in the region through consulting, service activities, research, and local projects.

Established in 1984, SSPA is one of eight colleges on the campus of Boise State University. SSPA is positioned to fulfill the institution’s state-wide mission in public policy, public administration, urban studies, urban and regional planning, and social work. The ten academic departments and seven affiliated units that join to form the college offer a cornucopia of knowledge and skills to the student committed to laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning.

The College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs offers students the opportunity to explore manifestations of the human imagination from a political, historical, and social context. They can gain an appreciation for the human past and examine social, economic, and political issues over time from various cultural and institutional contexts. Our undergraduate programs offer students this vantage point by integrating the broad expanse of baccalaureate-level courses. Certificate programs offer compressed programs in specific applied areas of study. SSPA graduate programs narrow the academic focus while deepening the quest for knowledge.

We have outstanding academic programs, fantastic faculty, and a safe and secure learning environment in one of the best living areas in the U.S. We invite you to explore the potential offered by each department.