The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs offers lower and upper division undergraduate courses in Public Affairs, Urban Planning, Gerontology, and Social Welfare. Lower division courses are numbered 1-99, and upper division courses are numbered 100-199. Access course descriptions on the UCLA Registrar’s Office website here (search by department). To view current course offerings, access the Schedule of Classes on the UCLA Registrar’s Office website here (search by term and department).
Read the information on this page to learn about the enrollment procedures for Luskin undergraduate courses, as well as to view sample program plans and study list deadlines applicable to students pursuing the B.A. in Public Affairs.
For questions about the Luskin undergraduate enrollment procedures, please contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via MyUCLA Message Center.
Courses Offerings
You can view the Public Affairs course offerings for this academic year below. You can access this quarter’s Schedule of Classes via the Registrar’s Office website or via MyUCLA Class Planner. You can read the course descriptions in the course details or on the UCLA Registrar’s Office course descriptions website here.
Summer 2024 Course Offerings
| Session A (6 Weeks)
PUB AFF 30* PUB AFF M109 / URBN PL M120 PUB AFF 110^ PUB AFF 113 URBN PL 141 URBN PL M165 / ENVIRON M125 |
Session C (6 Weeks)
URBN PL 121 |
* Satisfies one Social Analysis GE Requirement
** Satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
^Satisfied the Diversity Requirement
Courses in blue satisfy major preparation requirements for the Public Affairs Major.
Courses in green are part of the Theory requirement for the Public Affairs Major.
Courses in pink are part of the Methods requirement for the Public Affairs Major.
Courses in orange are pre-approved elective options for the Public Affairs Major. All others must be petitioned.
2024-25 Lower Division Course Offerings
| FALL 2024
PUB AFF 10* PUB AFF 50^ PUB AFF 60** PUB AFF 80^ |
WINTER 2025
PUB AFF 20 PUB AFF 40 PUB AFF 60** PUB AFF 80^ PUB AFF 87 |
TENTATIVE SPRING 2025
PUB AFF 10* PUB AFF 30* PUB AFF 50^ PUB AFF 70 |
* Satisfies one Social Analysis GE Requirement
** Satisfies the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
^Satisfied the Diversity Requirement
Courses in blue satisfy major preparation requirements for the Public Affairs Major.
2024-25 Upper Division Course Offerings
| FALL 2024
PUB AFF M109 / URBN PL M120 PUB AFF 116 PUB AFF M117DX / PUB PLC CM126XP PUB AFF M125 / EDUC M177 PUB AFF 128 PUB AFF 148 PUB AFF M159 / URBN PL M168 PUB AFF 180 PUB AFF 187AX PUB AFF 191A (Seminar 1) PUB AFF M191P (Seminar 1) |
WINTER 2025
PUB AFF 111 PUB AFF 112 PUB AFF 114 PUB AFF 115 PUB AFF 123 PUB AFF M124 / SOC WLF M151 PUB AFF 135 PUB AFF 155 (formerly PUB AFF 191A) PUB AFF M157 / URBN PL CM157 PUB AFF M160 / URBN PL M161 PUB AFF M161 / URBN PL M167^ PUB AFF 162 PUB AFF M165 / PUB PLC CM175 PUB AFF 170 PUB AFF 172 PUB AFF 177 (formerly PUB AFF 191A) PUB AFF M179A / PUB PLC CM179 PUB AFF 187BX |
TENTATIVE SPRING 2025
PUB AFF 112 PUB AFF 115 PUB AFF 116 PUB AFF M129XP / GRNTLGY M142XP / SOC WLF M142XP PUB AFF M130 / GRNTLGY M108 / SOC WLF M108* PUB AFF 134 PUB AFF 137 PUB AFF 145 PUB AFF M153 / URBN PL CM151 PUB AFF 158XP PUB AFF 174 PUB AFF 187CX PUB AFF 191P (Seminar 1) URBN PL M150 / GEOG M153 |
* Satisfies one Social Analysis GE Requirement
^Satisfies Diversity Requirement
Courses in green are part of the Theory requirement for the Public Affairs Major.
Courses in pink are part of the Methods requirement for the Public Affairs Major.
Courses in orange are pre-approved elective options for the Public Affairs Major. All others must be petitioned.
Course Resources
UCLA Schedule of Classes
Visit the UCLA Registrar’s Office website to access the quarterly UCLA Schedule of Classes. You can also view quarterly course offerings through MyUCLA Class Planner.
Course Descriptions
Visit the UCLA Registrar’s Office website to view course descriptions and applicable pre/co-requisites and restrictions.
- Public Affairs Course Descriptions
- Urban Planning Course Descriptions
- Public Policy Course Descriptions
- Social Welfare Course Descriptions
- Gerontology Course Descriptions
Petitions for Study List Changes, Course Substitutions, and Policy Exceptions
Visit the Public Affairs Petitions webpage (linked here) to access and download petitions for common requests, including study list changes, course substitutions, and policy exceptions.
Sample Program Plans
To help you plan your courses and ensure you complete all degree requirements by your intended degree candidacy term, you can access and download sample 2, 3, and 4-year degree plans linked below.
- 4-Year Plan
- 3-Year Plan
- 2-Year Plan (for Transfer students)
- Program Plan template (excel version | pdf version)
We encourage you to schedule regular appointments with a Public Affairs academic counselor to discuss your progress and outline a strategic degree plan that accounts for your degree requirements as well as your career and graduate/professional school plans. To schedule an appointment with a Public Affairs academic counselor, submit your appointment request via MyUCLA Message Center.
Enroll in Public Affairs Courses
Enrollment Passes and Restrictions
Overview
You can view your enrollment appointments on MyUCLA > Classes > Enrollment Appointments. Enrollment appointments are assigned by the Registrar’s Office, not the Luskin School of Public Affairs. To learn more about enrollment appointments and passes visit the Registrar’s Office website.
Please note that the following 1st and 2nd pass enrollment restrictions may apply to Luskin undergraduate courses (public affairs, urban planning, gerontology, social welfare, and public policy) . To view specific restrictions for each course, please review the “Class Notes” on the Schedule of Classes, or “Class Details” on MyUCLA Class Planner.
- Priority & First Pass: Public Affairs pre-majors and majors can enroll in Luskin undergraduate courses.
- For Winter 2025, this period will be November 4, 2024 through November 12, 2024.
- Second Pass (first week): Public Affairs pre-majors and majors, Gerontology minors, Public Affairs minors, and Urban and Regional Studies minors, can enroll in Luskin undergraduate courses, space permitting.
- For Winter 2025, this period will be November 14, 2024 through November 20, 2024
- Second Pass (after the first week): Any student may enroll in Luskin undergraduate courses, space permitting. Specific dates will be posted in the Schedule of Classes in the Class Notes section of the course description, or “Class Details” on MyUCLA Class Planner.
- For Winter 2025, this period will begin on November 21, 2024 at 9am (PT).
Enrollment Restrictions for Winter 2025 Courses
Most Winter 2025 Luskin undergraduate courses (public affairs, urban planning, gerontology, social welfare, and public policy) will have the enrollment restrictions noted above. Students who are not officially declared as a Public Affairs major or pre-major or as a Luskin minor will have access to enroll in Luskin undergraduate courses beginning November 21, 2024 at 9am (PT), space permitting.
Wait Lists
Overview
Most Luskin undergraduate courses (public affairs, urban planning, gerontology, social welfare, and public policy) offer a wait list option. If a course is at capacity and has a wait list option, you can add yourself to the wait list via MyUCLA Class Planner. Please note the following information about waitlists:
- You can learn more about wait lists on the UCLA Registrar’s Office website.
- Adding yourself to the wait list does not guarantee enrollment in the course nor does it guarantee that you will receive a PTE number to enroll.
- Once a wait list reaches capacity you will not be able to add yourself to the wait list.
- Wait lists are maintained through Friday of Week 2 of the quarter. After Friday of Week 2, the University will automatically drop students who are on the wait list.
- Monitor your place on the wait list regularly to ensure your enrollment reflects your intended study list.
- Have a back-up class in case you are unable to get off the wait list.
- Enrolling late in a course may impact your progress in the course. If you intend to enroll in a course after the start of the quarter, we strongly recommend that you consult the instructor prior to enrolling to determine if enrolling late will impact your progress in the course.
Questions?
For questions about enrollment and wait lists for Luskin undergraduate courses, please contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via MyUCLA Message Center.
Request a PTE Number for Luskin Undergraduate Courses
PTE Overview and Request Form
PTE numbers are available for most lower and upper-division Luskin undergraduate courses (public affairs, urban planning, gerontology, social welfare, and public policy). Be advised that PTE numbers are subject to the course’s enrollment capacity, thus, PTE requests are NOT guaranteed approval.
You can submit a PTE number request to the Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program by completing the PTE Number Request Form after your second pass begins and no later than Friday of week 2. The Public Affairs Undergraduate Program will begin reviewing PTE requests on the first day of the quarter. Because of this processing timeline, we strongly encourage you to closely monitor enrollment capacities and enroll in the course if a seat becomes available. Do not contact instructors to request PTE numbers as instructors will instruct you to submit the PTE Request Form.
- Click this link to access the PTE Number Request Form.
Beginning the first day of the quarter, please allow 3-4 business days to process your PTE number request. After we receive your PTE request, if approved, a Public Affairs academic counselor will issue your PTE number via MyUCLA Message Center. Students will receive a response to their PTE request no later than Friday of week 2.
If you receive a PTE number, it is your responsibility to enroll in the course via MyUCLA by the study list deadlines as outlined on the UCLA Registrar’s Office website (linked here).
Questions about PTE requests should be directed to the Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via MyUCLA Message Center.
PTE Processing Timeline for Winter 2025 Enrollment
The Public Affairs Undergraduate Program will begin reviewing PTE requests for Winter 2025 courses during week 1 (January 6, 2025). Beginning the first day of the quarter, please allow 3-4 business days to process your PTE number request. Because of this processing timeline, we strongly encourage you to closely monitor enrollment capacities and enroll in the course if a seat becomes available. Students will receive their PTE outcome via MyUCLA Message Center no later than Friday of week 2.
Enrollment Restrictions for Winter 2025 Courses
Most Winter 2025 Luskin undergraduate courses (public affairs, urban planning, gerontology, social welfare, and public policy) will have the enrollment restrictions noted here. Students who are not officially declared as a Public Affairs major or pre-major or as a Luskin minor will have access to enroll in Luskin undergraduate courses beginning November 21, 2024 at 9am (PT), space permitting.
Change Discussion Sections for Luskin Undergraduate Courses
Overview
Students can change discussion sections via MyUCLA without a fee or petition through Friday of week 2 of the quarter. Section changes during week 3 and no later than Friday of week 3, are possible with department approval. Be advised that section changes during week 3 may require a PTE number even if the course is open.
All discussion section changes must be completed by Friday of week 3. After Friday of week 3, students must petition to change sections and approval is not guaranteed.
Changing Discussion Sections When the Course is Open
Students can change discussion sections for open courses on their own via MyUCLA through Friday of week 2. To change discussion sections, the course and preferred/intended discussion section must be open.
If the student’s preferred discussion section is full and the wait list is open, dropping their current section and adding themselves to the wait list will not automatically enroll the student in the course. In these cases, the student will be placed on the wait list and will be dropped from the wait list after Friday of week 2 if they are unable to fully enroll in the course.
Discussion section changes during week 3 require department approval. Discussion section changes after Friday of week 3 require a petition and approval is not guaranteed.
Changing Discussion Sections When the Course is Full
If a course is full, students cannot change discussion sections as this will over-enroll their preferred/intended section. Students can submit a PTE request for their preferred discussion section but approval is not guaranteed. Students can access the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program PTE Request Form here.
If the student’s preferred discussion section is full and the wait list is open, dropping their current section and adding themselves to the wait list will not automatically enroll the student in the course. In these cases, the student will be placed on the wait list and will be dropped from the wait list after Friday of week 2 if they are unable to fully enroll in the course.
Discussion section changes during week 3 require department approval. Discussion section changes after Friday of week 3 require a petition and approval is not guaranteed.
Swapping Discussion Sections with a Classmate
If two students are enrolled in the same course (same lecture) and they want to exchange/swap discussion sections, the students must follow the steps below:
- Contact the TAs for both sections and confirm with the TA that you wish you swap sections.
- Provide the TAs with your full name, student ID number, course number, current discussion section, proposed discussion section, and preferred email.
- The TA/instructor will email the students’ information to the Director of Student Services for the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program. The Director of Student Services will manually process the section change.
Please note that swapping sections with another student is possible only if both students are fully enrolled in the course (i.e. not on the wait list) and neither student has holds on their record that restrict enrollment.
Questions?
For questions about changing discussion sections, contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via MyUCLA Message Center.
Enroll in a Contract Course
Overview
Contract courses are any courses numbered 95, 99, 188, or 195-199. The Luskin School of Public Affairs offers undergraduate contract courses in Public Affairs, Urban Planning, Gerontology, Social Welfare, and Public Policy. To learn which course is most appropriate for you, read the course descriptions on the Registrar’s Office website.
Students who wish to enroll in a contract course must have a faculty sponsor. We recommend that you begin contacting potential faculty mentors the quarter prior to your intended enrollment in a contract course. You can view the Luskin faculty and contact information on the Luskin faculty webpage.
Deadline to Enroll in a Contract Course
The deadline to enroll in a contract course without a fee is Friday of Week 2. You may enroll in a contract course during Week 3 with department approval. After Friday of Week 3 you are required to submit a Late or Retroactive Add Petition to enroll in any course, and approval is not guaranteed.
How to Create and Enroll in a Contract Course
To enroll in a contract course, students must create the course via MyUCLA and the department hosting the course must processes the final enrollment step. To create and enroll in a contract course, follow these steps:
- Identify your faculty mentor/sponsor. Meet with your faculty mentor to outline their expectations for the contract course, the assignments you are expected to complete, and the frequency of your meetings. You will need this information in order to create the contract course. We recommend exploring Luskin Faculty here.
- Create the contract on MyUCLA > Classes > Contract Courses. Follow the prompts to select the correct term/year, department, course number, instructor, unit value, grading basis, and course proposal.
- Email your course contract to your faculty mentor, and obtain the required faculty mentor signature.
- Submit your completed and signed course contract to the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via MyUCLA Message Center by Friday of Week 2.
- A Luskin undergraduate academic counselor will review your course contract and enroll you in the course. Please note the following:
- If you have holds on your record that restrict enrollment, you must resolve or defer those holds before your contract course can be processed by the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program.
- If enrolling in the contract course will cause you to exceed the 19 units for the term (or, 18 units for the summer), you must petition and be approved to receive excess study list units before your contract can be processed by the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program.
- After a Luskin undergraduate academic counselor enrolls you in the course, you will receive an enrollment confirmation via MyUCLA Message Center. Please review your study list to ensure your enrollment is accurate.
Questions?
For questions about enrolling in a Luskin undergraduate contract course, contract the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via MyUCLA Message Center.
Enroll in the Public Affairs Capstone Series (PUB AFF 187AX/BX/CX)
The Public Affairs three-course experiential learning capstone series (PUB AFF 187AX, 187BX, and 187CX) occurs during Fall, Winter, and Spring of a Public Affairs student’s final year at UCLA. To be eligible to enroll, students must satisfy all of the prerequisites and requirements outlined here.
Students who are eligible to enroll in the Public Affairs major three-course capstone series (PUB AFF 187AX, 187BX, and 187CX) will receive enrollment instructions from the Public Affairs Capstone Advisor & Coordinator. More information about the public affairs experiential learning capstone can be found here.
Auditing and Bruin Learn Guest Access for Public Affairs Courses
Most Public Affairs instructors do not allow students to audit courses. Some instructors may grant Bruin Learn guest access to students who are not enrolled in the courses or who are not on the wait list but who are attempting to enroll in the course. If you are granted Bruin Learn guest access your guest access will expire on Friday of Week 2 of the quarter. Please contact the course instructor to request Bruin Learn guest access. For questions, please contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Office via MyUCLA Message Center.
Request Excess Study List Units
Request Excess Units for the Quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring)
Overview
Students can enroll in up to 19 units per quarter (fall, winter, spring). If you would like to enroll in more than 19 units and plan to remain enrolled in more than 19 units, you can submit the Excess Study List Units Petition beginning the first day of the quarter and no later than Friday of Week 2 of the quarter.
To be eligible to petition for excess study list units, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a minimum 3.0 term GPA in your previous quarter of enrollment (fall, winter, spring); and
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Petition Submission and Processing Time
Submit the Excess Study List Units Petition to the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program beginning the first day of the quarter and no later than Friday of Week 2 of the quarter. Please allow 2-3 business days to process your request. Please note the exceptions listed below.
- Click this link to access the Excess Study List Units Petition
Exceptions
- Students who are exceeding the 19 units as a result of enrolling in 4 classes, can submit the Excess Study List Units Petition (linked above) at the start of their second pass.
- Students who are in their final quarter and who plan to enroll and remain enrolled in more than 19 units can submit the Excess Study List Units Petition (linked above) at the start of their second pass.
Important Policies
- A student in academic difficulty is not permitted to enroll in more than 19 units unless the academic difficulty is from lack of progress. If a student is on Probation or Subject to Dismissal for progress, they must schedule an appointment with a Public Affairs academic counselor to discuss the need for more than 19 units before the study list deadline (Friday of Week 2) of the term they need to enroll.
- Permission to enroll in excess units does not change the first or second pass policy. Students may enroll in up to 10 units during first pass, and the remaining units during second pass.
- If a student fails to complete all of the excess units requested for a term, the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program may deny future requests for excess units.
Request Excess Units for the Summer
Overview
Students can enroll in up to 18 total units in the summer. If you would like to enroll in more than 18 units and plan to remain enrolled in more than 18 units, you can submit the Summer Excess Study List Units Petition after your official winter quarter grades are posted on MyUCLA.
To be eligible to petition for excess study list units, you must meet the following criteria:
- Have a minimum 3.0 term GPA as of winter quarter or in your most recent quarter of enrollment (fall, winter, spring); and
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Petition Submission and Processing Time
Submit the Summer Excess Study List Units Petition to the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program after your official winter quarter grades are posted on MyUCLA and no later than Friday of Week 1 of the summer session in which you are enrolling. Please allow 2-3 business days to process your request.
- Click this link to access the Summer Excess Study List Units Petition
Summer Financial Aid
For information about summer financial aid, please visit the Financial Aid Office website.
Important Policies
- A student in academic difficulty is not permitted to enroll in more than 19 units unless the academic difficulty is from lack of progress. If a student is on Probation or Subject to Dismissal for progress, they must schedule an appointment with a Public Affairs academic counselor to discuss the need for more than 18 units before the summer study list deadline (Friday of Week 1) of the summer session in which they need to enroll.
- If a student fails to complete all of the excess units requested for a term, the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program may deny future requests for excess units.
Exceed the 216 Unit Maximum
Public Affairs majors who wish to take additional units beyond the 216-unit maximum must submit an Exceed Limit Unit Max Petition to the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program. To learn more about, and access, the Unit Maximum Petition, visit the Public Affairs Petitions website.
For questions about your eligibility to exceed the 216 unit maximum, please contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via MyUCLA Message Center.
Add/Drop Deadlines
Students in the Luskin School of Public Affairs are held to the following study list deadlines and fees. Please refer to the Registrar’s Office website for updated study list fees.
ADDING COURSES
- Weeks 1-2: Add the course via MyUCLA without a fee or transcript notation
- Week 3: Add open courses via MyUCLA or with a PTE number or with an Enrollment Petition, and no transcript notation.
- Weeks 4-10: Petition to late add a course by submitting the Late or Retro Add Petition. There is no guarantee of approval. If approved, a $20 fee applies. There is no transcript notation.
- After Week 10: Petition to retroactively add a course by submitting the Late or Retro Add Petition. There is no guarantee of approval. If approved, a fee applies and there is a transcript notation.
DROPPING NON-IMPACTED COURSES
- Weeks 1-2: Drop the course via MyUCLA without a fee or transcript notation.
- Weeks 3-4: Drop the course via MyUCLA and no transcript notation.
- Weeks 5-10: Petition to drop the course by submitting the Late or Retro Drop Petition. A $20 fee applies and there is a transcript notation. You are restricted to three (3) Late Drop Petitions during their academic career. The petition will not be considered if you attempted the final for the course.
- After Week 10: Petition to drop the course by submitting the Late or Retro Drop Petition. There is no guarantee of approval. If approved, a $35 fee applies and there is a transcript notation. The petition will not be considered if you attempted the final for the course.
DROPPING IMPACTED COURSES
- Weeks 1-2: Drop the course via MyUCLA without a fee or transcript notation.
- Weeks 3-10: Petition to drop the course by submitting the Late or Retro Drop Petition. There is no guarantee of approval. If approved, a $20 fee applies and there is a transcript notation. The petition will not be considered if you attempted the final for the course.
- After Week 10: Petition to drop the course by submitting the Late or Retro Drop Petition. There is no guarantee of approval. If approved, a $35 fee applies and there is a transcript notation. The petition will not be considered if you attempted the final for the course.
Change of Grading Basis Deadlines
Students in the Luskin School of Public Affairs are held to the following study list deadlines and fees. Please refer to the Registrar’s Office website for updated study list fees.
- Weeks 1-2: Change the grading basis for student option courses via MyUCLA. There is no fee and no transcript notation.
- Weeks 3-6: Change the grading basis for student option courses via MyUCLA. There is no fee and no transcript notation.
- Weeks 7-10: Petition to change the grading basis for student option courses with a Change in Credit Detail Petition. If approved there is a $20 fee and transcript notation.
- After Week 10: Petition to change the grading basis for student option courses with a Change of Credit Detail Petition. If approved, there is a $35 fee and transcript notation.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns about your enrollment, please contact the Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program team via MyUCLA Message Center (Academic Advising Unit>Public Affairs). Please allow 1-3 working days for a response.
