The realm of public policy encompasses virtually all aspects of contemporary society—economic development, financial markets, healthcare, education, poverty, crime, the environment, technology, national security, and immigration. These complex and often connected issues increasingly demand a rich and sophisticated understanding of the actions of governmental institutions and the motivations of political actors and other stakeholders in a global political environment. Businesses, nonprofit and non-governmental organizations, interest groups, academic and legal experts, and the public at large all play a role in shaping public policy priorities, implementation of public policies, and the evaluation of policy outcomes.
A major in Public Policy prepares students for work in all types of organizations and sectors of the job market: federal, state, and local governments; nonprofit organizations; and private-sector corporations.
For further information about degree requirement policies and guidelines, see the Degree Requirements page.
Major Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| GLS 230 | Politics and Public Policy | 3 |
| GLS 328 | Research Design in Policy and International Affairs | 3 |
| Institutions and Policy Change - Select two courses from the following list: 1 | 6 | |
| US Government and Politics | ||
| Politics and Power Worldwide: Intro to Comparative Political Analysis | ||
| US State and Local Government and Politics | ||
| Campaigns and Elections | ||
| The U.S. Presidency | ||
| Gender & Politics Worldwide | ||
| The Politics of Youth | ||
| Policy Domain - Select two classes from the following list: 2 | 6 | |
| Social Policy | ||
| Urban Politics and Policy | ||
| US Foreign Policy | ||
| Science, Technology & Society | ||
| Immigration | ||
| Race and Ethnic Politics | ||
| Power, Politics & Policy in International Development | ||
| Politics of Pandemics and Global Outbreak Response | ||
| Politics of Risk | ||
| One GLS course not otherwise required. | 3 | |
| GLS 405 | Seminar in Government | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
- 1
Experimental and Special Topics Courses can be applied to this requirement, depending on topic and with approval of the Public Policy Major Coordinator.
- 2
One course from another department can be applied to this requirement with approval from the Public Policy Major Coordinator.
Experimental and Special Topics Courses can be applied to this requirement, depending on topic and with approval of the Public Policy Major Coordinator.
General Degree Requirements
Foundations for Success (15 Credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| FDS 100 | Falcon Discovery Seminar | 3 |
| Communications and Writing | ||
| Select one from: | ||
| EMS 101 | Critical Reading and Writing | 3 |
| or EMS 101L | Critical Reading and Writing with Lab | |
| or EMS 102 | Critical Reading and Writing for Multilingual Students | |
| or EMS 102L | Critical Reading and Writing for Multilingual Students with Lab | |
| And one from: | ||
| EMS 104 | Multimodal Communication | 3 |
| or EMS 105 | Multimodal Communication for Multilingual Students | |
| Information Technology | ||
| CS 100 | Solving Business Problems with Information Technology | 3 |
| Mathematical Sciences | ||
| Select one from: | ||
| MA 105 | Mathematical Foundations for Business | 3 |
| or MA 105L | Mathematical Foundations for Business with Lab | |
| or MA 105P | Mathematical Foundations for Business with Prep | |
| or MA 107 | Applied Calculus for Business | |
| or MA 107L | Applied Calculus for Business with Lab | |
| or MA 131 | Calculus I | |
| or MA 131L | Calculus I with Lab | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Context and Perspectives (18 Credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students must take six courses, one in each category of Context and Perspectives: | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Business Dynamics/Business Administration Minor (18 Credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| All courses are required: | ||
| AC 115 | Introduction to Financial Reporting and Analysis | 3 |
| EC 111 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| FI 118 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| LA 100 | Business Law | 3 |
| MG 116 | Human Dynamics in Organizations | 3 |
| ST 113 | Business Statistics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Communication Intensive
All students are required to take a three-credit course designated as a Communication Intensive. This requirement can be met within a variety of course subjects in both Arts & Sciences and Business. Communication Intensive courses are designated with a "Communication Intensive" course tag in Workday. Transfer students with a minimum of 30 credits will be waived from the Communication Intensive requirement.
Please note that certain majors have an additional three-credit Communication Intensive built into their major requirements, separate from the general CI requirement.
Additional Requirements
Modern Language Requirement (6 Credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Modern Language courses (must be two semesters of the same language, regardless of proficiency level) | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Unrestricted Electives (39 Credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select thirty-nine elective credits | 39 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |