College of Public Affairs and Community Service

Mission

The College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS), established in 1973, was created to help the university respond to the most urgent social challenges facing our community and state. From its earliest days, CPACS has been dedicated to empowering students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead in public service. Today, that mission is stronger than ever. CPACS prepares students to engage with complex, real-world issues equipping future leaders to drive change, strengthen communities, and make a meaningful impact wherever their careers take them.

General Information

Goodrich Scholarship Program

For more than 50 years, the Goodrich Scholarship Program has expanded access to higher education for Nebraskans with both academic merit and financial need, enabling them to pursue a college degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In addition to providing financial assistance through coverage of tuition, the program offers a complementary MavEd core curriculum alongside comprehensive academic and non-academic support services. Together, these elements create a high-impact learning community with a long record of success and a continued commitment to innovation in service of student achievement. For more information or to apply, visit https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-public-affairs-and-community-service/goodrich-scholarship-program/index.php

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 through non-credit educational instruction. Wage earners gain knowledge and skills to be effective leaders in a democratic labor movement in a democratic society. 

Dean’s List

Students enrolled in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service who maintain a GPA of 3.50 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 3.50 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

Accreditation

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)

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

College Website
 

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.

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/aboutuno/registration-to-graduation/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.

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.

Appeal Process

Undergraduate students may appeal a final grade they feel was capriciously or prejudicially assigned. Students must contact the instructor in writing within 30 calendar days of the final course grade posting. The student shall indicate the reason they feel the final grade was capriciously or prejudicially assigned, the resolution they deem warranted, and the impact on the final grade in the course.

If the matter is not resolved, the student must meet with the department/school chair/director. If a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached the student must appeal, in writing, to the department/school curriculum committee. The appeal must be made in writing within 10 calendar days of meeting with the department/school chair/director. The student shall indicate the reason they feel the final grade was capriciously or prejudicially assigned, the resolution they deem warranted, and the impact on the final grade in the course.

If a satisfactory agreement cannot be reached with the department/school, the student may submit a written appeal to the Dean of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service within 10 calendar days of the exhaustion of the departmental procedures. The student shall indicate the reason they feel the final grade was capriciously or prejudicially assigned, the resolution they deem warranted, and the impact on the final grade in the course.

Appeals to the Dean’s office should include the following:

• an account of the facts surrounding the awarding of the disputed grade;
• a complete account of steps taken at the department or program level to resolve the dispute;
• copies of documents relevant to the grade appeal, including a copy of the course syllabus;
• an explanation of how the relevant grades were calculated/miscalculated and the impact on the final grade in the course.

The appeal will be reviewed by the CPACS Appeal’s Committee to determine whether evaluation of a student has been prejudiced or capricious. The review will include a determination of whether grade appeal procedures have been followed during the prior appeal stages.

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.

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.  

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.