Requirements for the Public Policy Major
Public policy majors must complete a total of 44 credits for the major, and complete all General Education requirements. 24 credits must be completed at UMass Amherst in the School of Public Policy ("SPP" courses).
This must be completed by the end of the second semester in the major. Options:
| Course Title | Gen Ed | Offered | Prereq | Credits | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPP105 Introduction to Political Economy | SB, DU | Spring | none | 4 | ECON105 |
| SPP111 Policy in an Age of Precarity | SB, DU | Spring | none | 4 | |
| SPP181 Controversies in Public Policy | SB, DU | Fall | none | 4 | POLISCI181 |
| SPP151 Water, Oil, and Blood: The Middle East in Global Policy | SB, DG | Winter, Spring | none | 4 | MES151 |
| Another SPP 100-level course |
It’s recommended that these be completed by the end of the fourth semester in the major. Required:
| Course Title | Gen Ed | Offered | Prerequisite | Credits | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPP280 Public Policy | SB | Fall, Spring | none | 4 | POLISCI280 |
| SPP203 Economics for Public Policy | SB | Spring | 16+ on algebra section of the math placement test, OR MATH 100, OR MATH 101 & 102, OR MATH 104, OR the R1 & SPP 204 | 4 | ECON103, RES-ECON102 |
| SPP204 Statistical Models for Public Policy | R2 | Fall | 11+ on algebra section of math placement test, OR completion of the R1 | 4 | STATISTC240, RES-ECON212, PSYCH240, ANTHRO281, PUBHLTH 223, OIM240 |
If you plan to take one of the "substitute" courses, check SPIRE to identify the needed prerequisite class.
| Course Title | Gen Ed | Offered | Prereq | Credits | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPP301 Junior Writing Seminar: Communicating Public Policy | JYW | Fall | 3 | Secondary Public Policy majors may substitute Junior Year Writing from their primary major and take a SPP 300+ elective, instead | |
| SPP302 SPP Practicum: Contemplating Your Career | Fall, Spring | 1 | |||
| SPP494DI Capstone for Public Policy Majors | IE | Spring | SPP203, SPP204, SPP280 | 4 | Honors students may substitute SPP499D |
In addition to the required courses, students will select elective courses that allow them to explore different interests, acquire additional skills and proficiencies, and develop a policy focus.
At least 5 elective courses are required, for a minimum of 20 credits. At least 12 of those credits must be from 300-level or above courses.
Eligible elective courses include all School of Public Policy courses as well as courses taught by SPP faculty in other departments. Students also may choose elective courses from departments across the Five Colleges, with approval. Current electives include the following, but additional options are forthcoming:
| Course Title | Gen Ed | Fall | Spring | Prerequisite | Credits | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPP190IM Introductory Stats w/Impact Mindset | Spring | none | 1 | |||
| SPP208 Defending Democracy in a Digital World | SB | Fall | none | 4 | COMM 208, CICS208 | |
| SPP228 Weighing the Evidence: Reasoning Under Uncertainty for Policy and Law | R2 | High-school-level algebra and completion of the R1 Gen Ed | 3 | LEGAL228 | ||
| JOURNAL230 The Politician and the Journalist | Fall | Spring | none | 3 | POLISCI230, JOURNAL230 | |
| SPP290PS Policy and Social Inequality | Spring | none | 3 | SOCIOL290PS | ||
| SPP309 Natural Resource Policy Administration | Spring | none | 3 | NRC309 | ||
| SPP310 Environmental and Resource Economics | SPP203 or Econ103 or Res-Econ102 | 4 | ECON310 | |||
| SPP312 Making a Difference: Policies and Strategies for Social Change | SB, DU | sophomore, junior, senior | 4 | |||
| SPP320 Introduction to Public Administration | Spring | sophomore, junior, senior | 4 | POLISCI320 | ||
| SPP341 Social Welfare | AY 26-27 | sophomore, junior, senior | 4 | SOC341 | ||
| SPP349 Economic Policy Lab | AY 26-27 | SPP 203, ECON 103, or RES-ECON 102 | 4 | ECON349 | ||
| SPP352 U.S. Latin American Relations | Spring | sophomore, junior, senior | 4 | POLISCI352 | ||
| SPP364 Gender and Race in U.S. Social Policy | AY 26-27 | junior, senior | 4 | HIST364, POLISCI364 | ||
| SPP376 Catalyzing Change: Creating & Running a Nonprofit | Fall | sophomore, junior, senior | 4 | |||
| SPP390C Comparative Social Policy | Spring | sophomore, junior, senior | 3 | SOCIOL390C | ||
| SPP390P Managing for the Public Good | Spring | SPP 280 or POLISCI 280 | 3 | |||
| SPP394LI Leading for Social Impact | IE | Fall | 4 | |||
| SPP394PI Politics & Policy in the American Police State | IE | AY25-26 | SPP280 or POLISCI280 or LEGAL250 AND sophomore, junior, or senior | 4 | LEGAL394PO | |
| SPP398R Public Policy Research Practicum | Fall | Spring | Must apply for and earn a research role | 1-3 | ||
| SPP499C Tackling Today's Big Problems: Policy Methods | Fall | SPP 203, 204, 280, 301 (or equivalents); Honors student | 3 | |||
| SPP525 Governing the Commons | Spring | senior | 3 | |||
| SPP540 Internet Governance and Information Policy | Spring | senior | 3 | |||
| SPP585 Introduction to GIS | Fall | Spring | senior | 3 | ||
| SPP590IM Advanced Statistics w/Impact Mindset (aSWIM) | Spring | STAT 525, or SOC 390, or permission of instructor with any introductory staHsHcs class plus bootcamp designed for this class | 4 | |||
| SPP590STF Human Rights and Public Administration | Fall | senior | 3 |
Seniors may also request instructor permission to take 600-level graduate courses. (For those in the Commonwealth Honors College, two 500-level or higher graduate classes are likely to be permitted to count toward the honors curriculum. Check with your CHC advisor for details.)
Policies: Transfer, Non-SPP Classes, Study Abroad & Domestic Exchange
Students may take up to 20 credits with a maximum of 12 upper division credits outside of the School of Public Policy. This 20 credits done outside of the School of Public Policy, when relevant, is inclusive of transfer credits, study abroad credits, and non-SPP courses taken at UMass Amherst. Courses that are cross-listed with SPP count as SPP courses.
A maximum of 4 credits earned through hands-on practicum units–SPP398R Undergraduate Research Experience Program and/or SPP398PI Public Policy Internship–may be applied toward the required 20 elective credits.
Transfer students may transfer up to five courses (20 credits with a maximum of 12 upper division credits inclusive of study abroad credits) into the Public Policy major if approved by the Undergraduate Program Director.
Numerous opportunities are available for study at other institutions. Students can take classes at Smith, Amherst, Holyoke, and Hampshire college as part of the five College Consortium. Our domestic Exchange program allows individuals to choose from over 170 institutions in the U.S. and continue UMass degree programs while on another campus. Our study abroad program provides the opportunity to attend a variety of foreign universities. The School of Public Policy is highly supportive of these learning opportunities. Questions about the applicability of exchange credits to the major should be directed to the School of Public Policy Director of Undergraduate Advising. Up to 12 public policy credits may be taken in this manner.
General Questions: Email @email.
Declare the Major or Learn More (current UMass students): Make an appointment via this link. For Advising Care Unit, choose “Explore How to Declare or Change Majors.” Then, select “Explore Public Policy Major” as the Service.
Get Advising (current UMass students): Make an appointment via this link.