College of Public Affairs and Community Service
Mission
The College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) was established in 1973 to ensure university responsiveness to the critical social needs of the community and state. The college was charged with the mission of providing educational programs of the highest caliber to prepare students for leadership in public service and reaching out to the community to help solve public problems.
The mission of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service is to:
- Foster a learning environment in which undergraduate students, graduate students, adult learners and both traditional and nontraditional students can gain a comprehensive and quality education helpful in preparing for careers in their respective fields;
- Conduct research, especially as it relates to concerns of local and statewide constituencies; and,
- Offer professional services to the community, including continuing education opportunities designed to further personal, professional, organizational, and community improvement goals.
General Information
The College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) offers undergraduate coursework leading to the Bachelor of Science Degree in aviation, criminology and criminal justice, gerontology, social work, and emergency management. The Division of Continuing Studies administers the Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies (BMS) Degree. In addition to its undergraduate degree programs, CPACS offers courses in urban studies, nonprofit management, and public administration; the Goodrich Scholarship Program, a specialized program for students with marked financial need; and particular areas of independent study developed in conjunction with other UNO colleges or governmental units.
The College of Public Affairs and Community Service strives to make available to students an interdisciplinary education based on classroom learning, research, and community service. Students are expected to participate in each of these activities.
Goodrich Scholarship Program
The Goodrich Scholarship Program is designed to provide scholarship funds and supportive services for students with financial need. The overall intent of the program is to provide a college education for persons who might otherwise find college difficult to afford, while offering them a broad and meaningful experience in general education. The program has a three-pronged approach. It provides 1) financial aid in the form of tuition and general fees toward a bachelor’s degree; 2) a specialized curriculum emphasizing the humanities and the social sciences via a multicultural perspective; and, 3) a comprehensive program of academic and non-academic student services support.
Admission to the Goodrich Scholarship Program
A composite of selection criteria is used to evaluate both merit and financial need. Criteria include the individual’s application data, financial analysis, academic record, in-person interview, personal life-experience essay, and references. For more information, contact the Goodrich Scholarship Program:
Goodrich Scholarship Program
123 College of Public Affairs and Community Service
University of Nebraska at Omaha
6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68182
Phone – 402.554.2274
Center for Public Affairs Research
The Center for Public Affairs Research collaboratively produces and disseminates high-quality public scholarship about topics that impact the lives of Nebraskans. Ongoing projects from CPAR, include policy analyses for the Planning Committee of the Nebraska State Legislature, the Nebraska Rural Transit Project, governing.unomaha.edu, and designation by the U.S. Census Bureau as a statewide liaison for disseminating a range of data products. To learn more about CPAR and access many of our data resources go to cpar.unomaha.edu.
The William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies
The William Brennan Institute for Labor Studies provides relevant and timely education for Nebraska wage earners, union leaders, labor organizations, and citizens to help attain the American Dream for all. Through non-credit educational instruction, wage earners gain knowledge and skills to be effective leaders in a democratic labor movement in a democratic society.
University Honors Program
The University Honors Program provides expanded educational opportunities for highly motivated students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. Students entering or enrolled in any CPACS undergraduate program may apply for membership in UNO’s Honors Program. For more information, contact the CPACS Honors Coordinator in the CPACS Dean’s Office or a CPACS academic advisor.
Dean’s List
Students enrolled in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better while carrying 12 hours or more of graded course work will earn the distinction of being placed on the Dean’s Honor List at the end of each semester. Part-time students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or better for courses taken at UNO on a continuous part-time basis. These students may be placed on the Dean’s List when they complete course work in 12 semester hour blocks at UNO (i.e., 12, 24, 48, etc.). Continuous part-time basis is defined as taking one or more courses totaling 1-11 semester hours during each fall and spring semester each academic year.
Accreditation Information
| Major | Degree | Accreditation Body |
|---|---|---|
| Aviation: Specialization in Air Transport Administration | BS | Aviation Accreditation Board, International (AABI) |
| Public Administration | MPA | Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) |
| Social Work | BSSW MSW | Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) |
Choice of Catalog Policy
A student registering in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service for the first time may, except for the limitations described below, complete work for the degree according to the requirements of the catalog in effect the year the student enters the college or the catalog current at the time the student applies for the degree.
Students entering the college for the first time in the summer will be subject to the catalog for the academic year immediately following. Failure to complete the requirements for the degree within seven years after the date the student first enters the college will subject the student to graduation under the requirements of a later catalog to be approved by the Dean. CPACS reserves the right to institute and make effective, after due notice, during the course of a student’s work toward a degree, any new ruling which may be necessary for the general good of the college and to substitute courses currently offered for those no longer offered. Contact a DCS academic advisor for Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies Degree catalog information.
Contact Information
CPACS Deans Office |109 CPACS
University of Nebraska at Omaha
6001 Dodge Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68182
Phone – 402.554.2276
Fax – 402.554.4871
Admission to the College of Public Affairs and Community Service
Students who have been admitted to the University of Nebraska at Omaha may apply for admission into the College of Public Affairs and Community Service by indicating their preference in the appropriate place on the university application for admission. Refer to the section “Division of Continuing Studies” for DCS and Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies Degree admission requirements.
Students who wish to transfer into CPACS from another college or school within UNO must request permission from the department offering the student’s intended major.
A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 is required to transfer into CPACS.
The College of Public Affairs and Community Service does not accept undeclared students. Exceptions to this rule are made when the student can demonstrate (by written request) substantial reasons for the undeclared status. Permission is granted by the CPACS Dean.
Academic Requirements for the College Degrees
Number of Hours to Graduate
Each candidate must present a total of at least 120 credit hours of college credit to meet graduation requirements.
Minimum GPA/Additional Requirements
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/grades/
College Requirements, BA/BS Requirements
Major Field
Each student must present a major including at least 15 credit hours of upper division work designated as appropriate by the faculty of the department in which enrolled. A candidate meeting the requirements of each of two fields may present a double major in these fields. Individual departments should be consulted for the number of upper division hours required.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies Degree
Refer to the section “Division of Continuing Studies” for Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies (BMS) Degree requirements.
Prerequisite Courses
Completion of a course within the major with a grade below a “C-” will not be considered as having fulfilled prerequisite requirements for additional courses taken in the major field of study. A higher grade may be designated by the department/unit.
General Education Requirements
All students in a CPACS degree program must meet the university general education requirements. Certain majors/programs in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service require specific foundational coursework that may also count for general education requirements. For more information on the foundational coursework, contact the department academic advisor.
Transfer Credit Policy
All questions concerning the acceptability or transferability of credits earned at other institutions or via programs such as cooperative education and credit by examination should be directed to the department in which enrolled. Credit earned in courses below the 1000 level may not be applied toward the degree offered by the College of Public Affairs and Community Service.
Unacceptable Credits
Remedial, developmental, or technical coursework may not be used toward the fulfillment of the 120 credit hour requirement.
Courses taken at a community college that are upper-division level courses in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service may not be counted as equivalent to upper-division College of Public Affairs and Community Service courses. At the discretion of the advisor and the department, these courses may be used toward required or elective coursework but may not be used to meet upper-division requirements.
Technical credit may be awarded to students in the Division of Continuing Studies. Please see a DCS academic advisor for more information.
Retroactive Credit Policy
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/transfer-credit/
Advanced Placement Credits
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/transfer-credit/
Military Credit
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/transfer-credit/
IB Credit
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/transfer-credit/
Placement Exams and Credit by Examinations Policies/Practices
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/student-life-support-services/testing-center/
Residency Requirement
Thirty of the last 36 hours required for the degree must be registered for and carried within the University of Nebraska System.
Quality of Work
Each candidate for the degree must attain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 (“C”). A grade of at least “C-” must be earned in all required courses within the major, unless a higher grade is designated by the department/unit. All grades reported by the faculty to the registrar become a part of the student’s permanent record and are included in the computation of the grade point average, even though some of these grades may be for work done in excess of the 120 hours required for graduation.
Good Academic Standing Policy
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/grades/
Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) Grades
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/grades/
Completion of Incomplete Grade
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/grades/
Repeatable Grades/Courses
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/grades/
Appeal Process
Students who wish to appeal a grade they believe was capriciously or prejudicially given shall first discuss the matter with the instructor within 30 days of the final course grade being posted. If the matter is not resolved, the student must then meet with the department/school chair or director. If a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached, the student must then appeal, in writing, to the department/school curriculum committee. If a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached, the student may submit a written appeal to the CPACS Dean’s Office within 20 working days of the exhaustion of departmental procedures.
The Committee on Academic Standards and Curriculum for the College of Public Affairs and Community Service is the official body for handling the appeal.
In the event the instructor is unavailable for handling a grade complaint, the student will meet with the department chair and the Dean to determine the most appropriate course of action agreeable to all parties.
Academic Amnesty
The College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) academic amnesty policy gives students the opportunity to rebuild their University of Nebraska system cumulative grade point average (GPA). Review the following information and consult your academic advisor to learn more.
Eligibility:
To be eligible for Academic Amnesty, students must:
- Have been out of the Nebraska system for at least one calendar year (12-month period).
- Have substandard coursework (“F” or “D” grades) earned within the University of Nebraska system (UNO, UNL, UNK, UNMC) prior to the year out (substandard grades earned after the year out will not be included in the Academic Amnesty contract).
- Be admitted as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska.
Amnesty Requirements:
- Academic Amnesty will begin with the first course(s) taken upon return to UNO.
- Students may apply for Academic Amnesty at any time after taking the one-year break.
- After returning from the one-year break, demonstrate academic success in new UNO coursework.
- Academic success may be demonstrated by one of the following:
- Completing at least 12 semester hours (simultaneous or sequential) with a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA,
- Completing at least 24 semester hours (simultaneous or sequential) with a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Students must maintain continuous enrollment (at least six (6) semester hours completed within any 12-month period).
- Students will work with their academic advisor to select the coursework to be amnestied.
- Students must inform an academic advisor when the Academic Amnesty requirements are met.
Notes:
- All amnestied coursework will remain on the student’s academic record (transcript); however, the courses will not be included in calculation of the student’s grade point average. Courses will be annotated “Academic Amnesty Excluded from GPA” on the transcript.
- Once Academic Amnesty is granted, students will not be eligible for honors at graduation. Students are still eligible for Dean’s List and Chancellor’s List honors.
- While demonstrating academic success, no changes are made to the student’s academic record. If a student’s cumulative GPA is still below standard, the students will continue to be reported as “continued on probation.” Should the student revert to substandard academic performance while working on Academic Amnesty, the student can still be suspended. Academic Amnesty is intended to provide relief from the past without providing immunity from future substandard academic performance.
- Students must still meet all university and college requirements to graduate.
Academic Probation and Suspension
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/grades/
Reinstatement Policy Following Academic Suspension
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/grades/
Academic Advising
The purpose of academic advising within the College of Public Affairs and Community Service is to provide guidance and support to students striving to meet degree requirements. CPACS academic advising is provided at the departmental level. Students are encouraged to communicate with an academic advisor prior to registration each semester and should contact an advisor with any academic program questions. It is especially important for students nearing graduation to consult with an academic advisor to ensure all program requirements are met.
Advising Holds
Advising holds vary by academic unit. Please see your academic advisor for more information.
Student Holds
https://nextcatalog.unomaha.edu/undergraduate/enrollment/enrollment/
Senior Check
The College of Public Affairs and Community Service expects that students are working with their academic advisor throughout the course of their program. Once 91 credit hours are achieved, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to ensure there is a graduation plan in place to complete your requirements.