Meet with your university adviser and express your interest in pursuing a career in public assistance. The adviser will be able to give you a list of similar majors and minors offered at your institution. Similar majors include social work, youth services, community organization, public health and public administration. Although not as specific, sociology majors are also well-prepared to work as public assistance workers.
Choose a program at your institution that best fits your needs. Consider things such as classes you want to take, the amount of time required to complete the degree, internship opportunities, community volunteer opportunities and any clubs related to your major. Take into consideration if your program will help you find an internship or if you must find your own. If you wish to complete some courses online, ask your adviser if your program has any available distance education classes.
Take elective classes in subject areas in which you're the most interested. For example, if you want to be a family planner assistant, take courses in marriage and family and child and adolescent development. Or, if you want to work in public administration, take elective courses such as business management and public policy. If your university doesn't offer a class you want to take, you may be able to take the course at a nearby college and transfer it to your program.
Complete an internship in an area that you see yourself working in after college. There are many places to complete an internship, and your program may even have list a places available. Internships are typically a semester long. As a public assistance major, complete an internship at places such as homeless shelters, women's resource centers, addiction counseling centers, city resource centers, free health clinics, veterans centers, and employment assistance offices.
Graduate from your program by maintaining the GPA minimum required by your program, completing all major courses and electives and fulfilling internship and community service requirements. To further pursue an education in public assistance, consider applying to graduate programs or post-baccalaureate certificate programs.