Undergraduate Program

Public Policy is an interdisciplinary social science major designed to provide students with the theoretical perspective, analytical skill, and substantive knowledge needed to respond to major domestic and international policy problems.

The core coursework includes exposure to multiple disciplinary fields, including economics, statistics, political science, history, and policy analysis. The core curriculum is designed to fulfill three objectives: 1) provide students with a command of the tools of policy analysis; 2) offer students an understanding of the politics of public policy; and 3) allow students to develop knowledge in a core domestic or international policy field.

The undergraduate major does not aim to train a student in the particulars of a given career. Instead its goal is to develop conceptual and analytical skills that our students can bring to bear in whatever work or professions they eventually choose and for informed citizenship.

The combination of a general liberal arts education, the development of conceptual, writing and analytical abilities, and the acquisition of knowledge in a domestic or international policy area forms an excellent foundation for graduate work in the professions (law, business, social work, public health, city and regional planning) or public policy as well as for a career in domestic or international public affairs.

For more information on our undergraduate program in Public Policy, please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions, our Approved Field Courses and our Public Policy Advising Handbook.