The Trustees of Indiana University established the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) as a statewide program of the university in January 1972.

The school also operates a unit designed to address a variety of public issues and problems, in particular those of Northwest Indiana. SPEA conducts research on public problems, provides services to public agencies, and engages in educational programs designed to aid public officials and to inform the public on a variety of public issues.A student who already has a bachelor's degree may be admitted to candidacy for a second bachelor's degree.

Normally, the holder of a bachelor's degree who wishes to pursue further education is encouraged to become qualified for admission to graduate study. In certain cases, however, a student who already has a bachelor's degree may be admitted to candidacy for an associate or a second bachelor's degree. When such admission is granted, the candidate must earn at least 30 additional credit hours as a student enrolled in SPEA and meet all the requirements of the SPEA degree (A.S. or B.S.) being sought.