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As a public policy student, you’ll develop the skills and knowledge you need to understand complex issues like climate change, policing, technology, immigration, and more. You will learn policymaking, economics, writing, leadership, and statistics, so you have the toolbox of skills needed to help shape solutions to pressing problems. You will be equipped to make a difference in the world, whatever your particular passion.
Want to Learn More about the Major or Declare It?
For Advising Care Unit, choose “Explore How to Declare or Change Majors.” Then, select “Explore Public Policy Major” as the Service.
Declaring the major is easy! You just need to talk to an advisor to make sure you understand the requirements for the major. You can declare the major at the end of the meeting. If you're not ready to declare, you can still meet with an advisor to learn more about the major, no pressure.
*Until Spring 2026, public policy courses had the prefix SPP. Moving forward, they are PUBPOL. The classes have otherwise not changed.*
Questions?
Please email @email.
Suggested Courses for First Year Students
Choose any one of the following classes or another 100-level PUBPOL course:
| Course Title | Gen Ed | Offered | Prereq | Credits | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUBPOL111 Policy in an Age of Precarity | SB, DU | Spring | none | 4 | |
| PUBPOL181 Controversies in Public Policy | SB, DU | Fall | none | 4 | POLISCI181 |
| PUBPOL151 Blood, Oil, and Water: The Middle East in Global Policy | SB, DG | Winter | none | 4 | MES151 |
| PUBPOL105 Introduction to Political Economy | SB, DU | Spring | none | 4 | ECON105 |
| Another 100-level PUBPOL course |
Take the following courses:
| Course Title | Gen Ed | Offered | Prereq | Credits | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUBPOL280 Public Policy | SB | Fall, Spring | Recommended: 1 semester of college coursework | 4 | POLISCI280 |
| PUBPOL203 Economics for Public Policy | SB | Spring | 16+ on the algebra section of the math placement test, OR MATH 100, OR MATH 101 & 102, OR MATH 104, OR the R1 & PUBPOL 204 | 4 | ECON103, RES-ECON102 |
If you scored below 11 on the algebra section of the math placement test, you should complete the R1 requirement in your first year of school to prepare for the policy core courses. Alternatively, if you plan to take one of the "substitute" courses, check SPIRE to identify the needed prerequisite class.
Suggested Courses for Second Year Students
Choose any one of the following classes or another 100-level PUBPOL course:
| Course Title | Gen Ed | Offered | Prereq | Credits | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUBPOL111 Policy in an Age of Precarity | SB, DU | Spring | none | 4 | |
| PUBPOL181 Controversies in Public Policy | SB, DU | Fall | none | 4 | POLISCI181 |
| PUBPOL151 Blood, Oil, and Water: The Middle East in Global Policy | SB, DG | Winter | none | 4 | MES151 |
| PUBPOL105 Introduction to Political Economy | SB, DU | Spring | none | 4 | ECON105 |
| Another 100-level PUBPOL course |
Take the following courses:
| Course Title | Gen Ed | Offered | Prereq | Credits | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUBPOL280 Public Policy | SB | Fall, Spring | Recommended: 1 semester of college coursework | 4 | POLISCI280 |
| PUBPOL203 Economics for Public Policy | SB | Spring | 16+ on the algebra section of the math placement test, OR MATH 100, OR MATH 101 & 102, OR MATH 104, OR the R1 & PUBPOL 204 | 4 | ECON103, RES-ECON102 |
| PUBPOL204 Statistical Models for Public Policy | R2 | Fall | 11+ on the algebra section of the math placement test or completion of the R1 requirement. | 4 | STATISTC240, RES-ECON212, PSYCH240, ANTHRO281, PUBHLTH 223, OIM240 |
If you scored below 11 on the algebra section of the math placement test, you should complete the R1 requirement in your first year of school to prepare for the policy core courses. Alternatively, if you plan to take one of the "substitute" courses, check SPIRE to identify the needed prerequisite class.
See details and options here.