Who We Are
The Department of Public Affairs and Security Studies (PASS) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers a program leading to the degree of Master of Public Affairs (MPA), which is housed in the College of Liberal Arts. The MPA degree is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with basic administrative concepts and competencies that can be utilized in a variety of administrative careers in public and nonprofit agencies. The program allows students to select from three different tracks: Public Administration, Public Policy, and Global Security Studies and Leadership.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Public Affairs and Security Studies (PASS) is to offer high quality programs for graduate and undergraduate students in the Rio Grande Valley. Graduates from PASS programs will serve the community, the state of Texas, and the United States of America with the education they receive in the areas of public sector administration, public policy, and homeland security.