Governance and Public Affairs

Bachelor of Arts in Governance and Public Affairs

Program Length: 9 Trimesters

Careers: Public Administrator, Policy Officer/Analyst, Programme/Project, Manager Legal Officer, Political Scientist, Protocol Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Researcher, Academician, Civil Servant, Conference Organizer, Development Worker

The Bachelor of Arts in Governance and Public Affairs (AB-GPA) is a comprehensive undergraduate program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary to engage in effective governance and public sector management. Offered in the Benilde, this program integrates the study of political science, public administration, and social sciences to prepare students for careers in government, public service, advocacy, and policy-making.

Through a dynamic curriculum that combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, BAGPA students will gain a deep understanding of the structure, processes, and challenges of governance at the local, national, and global levels. The program emphasizes ethical leadership, strategic decision-making, and effective communication in public affairs, fostering a new generation of professionals who can contribute to good governance, policy reforms, and sustainable development. You can take AB-GPA as a pre-law program.

Good governance is the pillar of nation-building.

This course is for you if you possess the desire for public service. You will learn to:

analyze the structures, processes, and challenges of governance systems, both locally and globally, considering historical, social, and political contexts;
synthesize information from various sources—research, policy analysis, public opinion, and socio-economic data—to design innovative and comprehensive public policy solutions that address multifaceted societal challenges;
evaluate the impact and outcomes of existing public policies and governance initiatives;
apply critical thinking and ethical frameworks to evaluate complex governance situations and make decisions that uphold principles of justice, equity, and transparency;
synthesize complex governance and public affairs issues into clear, persuasive, and contextually appropriate communications for diverse audiences, including policymakers, the public, and international stakeholders;
develop innovative solutions to complex governance and public policy problems through collaboration across disciplines to develop innovative solutions to complex governance and public policy problems;
evaluate ethical leadership and responsibility in governance;
commit to lifelong learning and continuous professional growth in governance; and
develop innovative solutions for public advocacy and social change.

For the future guardians and movers of the world.

The School of Diplomacy and Governance (SDG) is one of the latest additions to the learner-centered and industry-focused schools within the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. SDG was created to respond to the changing times, brought about by Globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Benildean-Lasallian way.

We lay the foundations of servant-leaders.

Former career ambassadors assigned in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe make up half of our faculty. Some are also still active in the field of diplomacy and international relations as consultants, examiners, policy advisers and the like.

Faculty members are required to undergo a number of trainings or workshops on online teaching, inclusion, teaching methodologies, and classroom management. Further, they are also assigned to serve as Research Coordinator, Thesis Adviser, Practicum Coordinator, or Academic Adviser to facilitate student formation and learning.

Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities

Simulation Workshops

Benilde Model United Nations
Diplomatic League Global Summit
Harvard World Model United Nations
National Model United Nations
Open Trade Asia Negotiations Simulation
POSIBLE: An SDG Youth Action Building Workshop

Research Conferences / Colloquia

SDG Research Colloquium Annual
Annual Conference on the Muslim World
Philippine Society for Public Administration
Harvard College Project for Asian and International Relations

Immersion Programs

The WGI Global Leadership Program
Strasbourg Immersion Program
Spain Immersion Program
Chinese Summer Camp

Internships

Student Organizations

LEADers in Diplomacy
Central Student Government-SDG

Our global partners widen our reach.

SDG reaffirms its dedication to diversifying learning opportunities for students by actively seeking, engaging, and collaborating with partner organizations in various part of the globe.

Every nook and corner tells a story

The Design + Arts Campus, a 14-storey academic complex, is one big playground for creative minds and a venue that stimulates students to think out of the box, shift perspectives, and innovate ideas.

Admission Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Reminders