Public Policy Major

The Public Policy major offers exciting opportunities to learn about the creation, adoption, implementation and analysis of public policy. In this multidisciplinary major, students will learn how, for whom, and under what conditions policy succeed or fail. A goal of the major is that students experience the policy process outside as well as inside the classroom.

 

Goal 1:  Learn Fundamental Knowledge:  Students will gain foundational knowledge in the primary subfields of Public Policy and understand the content, core concepts, and theories within the discipline.

Outcome 1.1:  Students will identify, define, and explain the content, core concepts, and theories that guide the creation of public policy from an integrated, interdisciplinary perspective.

Goal 2: Think and Make Arguments: Students will think critically and develop arguments based on evidence.

Outcome 2.1: Students will articulate verbally and/or in writing an argument which defines, explains, and/or analyzes the content, process, and outcomes of public policy.

Goal 3: Think and Apply their Skills to Analysis: Students will evaluate arguments based on empirical evidence and assertions rooted in the discipline.

Outcome 3.1: Students will apply a variety of tools, methods, and perspectives to critically analyze and evaluate issues relevant to the discipline of Public Policy.

Goal 4: Apply their Skills to the “Real World”: Students will be prepared for entry into professional careers and other avenues related to Public Policy as a discipline.

Outcome 4.1: Students will demonstrate career preparation through experiential learning opportunities that are closely related to Public Policy or a related field through the development of interpersonal, analytical, and/or problem-solving skills.

The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:

  1. Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
  2. Ethics Intensive
  3. Writing Intensive, and
  4. Diversity
1

Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements

General Education Signature Courses

See this page about Signature courses

General Education Variable Courses

See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses

Social Science Requirement
ECN 101Introductory Economics Micro3

General Education Overlays

See this page about Overlays.

General Education Integrative Learning Component

See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:

     Any three upper division courses in College of Arts & Sciences excluding ECN, POL, and SOC courses.

Major Requirements 

4 Core Courses
ECN 101Introductory Economics Micro (See Soc. Sci. Req)3
POL 111Intro to American Politics3
or POL 113 Intro to Comparative Politics
SOC 101Intro to Sociology3
or SOC 102 Social Problems
POL 313Public Policy3
2 Data/Methods Courses
MAT 118Introduction to Statistics3
or DSS 210 Business Statistics
POL 415Applied Research Mixed Methods3
or ECN 410 Econometrics
or SOC 313 Data Analysis
4 Major Electives12
Media Advocacy
Health Communication Advocacy
Economics of Labor
Public Finance & Public Policy
Economic Development
Environmental Economics
Urban Economics
The Economics of Healthcare
Race and the Economy
Food and the U.S. Economy
Research Methods
Introduction to GIS
Intermediate GIS
Museums, Monuments, and Media
Engaging Communities
Political Participation in US
Advising and Advocacy
State and Local Government
Public Opinion & Media
Women and American Politics
Race & Ethnic Politics in U.S.
Protesting Inequality
U.S. Immigration
Latin American Politics
Understanding Putin's Russia
The EU and European Politics
Contemp Cuban Pol & Society
Global Political Economy
American Foreign Policy
IR of East Asia: War and Peace
Ethics inInternational Affairs
Sex & Power around the World
Capstone: Contentious Pol inUS
Capstone: Nations&Nationalism
Capstone:Transforming Conflict
Capstone: Pol of Labor & Work
Race and Social Justice
Poverty Ethics & Social Policy
Race, Crime & CJ
Urban and Public Policy
1 Experiential Learning Requirement:3
Economics Internship
Philadelphia Area Internship
Global Smarts Internship
Philadelphia-Area Internship
Internship
Internship
Washington Internship I
Washington Internship II
International Internship I
International Internship II
Or any Service Learning Course
Or completion of three Minternship courses (1 credit each) POL 390, POL 391, or POL 392
Total Hours33