Requirements for the Public Policy Major
Public policy majors must complete a total of 120 credit hours of instruction, including 44 credits for the major, and complete all General Education requirements.
One 100-level Gateway Course.
This must be completed by the end of the second semester in the major. Options:
| Course Title | Gen Ed | Offered | Prereq | Credits | Substitutions |
| SPP111 Policy in an Age of Precarity | SB, DU | Spring | none | 4 | |
| SPP181 Controversies in Public Policy | SB, DU | Fall | none | 4 | POLISCI181 |
| SPP190A Blood, Oil, and Water: The Middle East in Global Policy | SB, DG | Spring | none | 4 | MES190A |
| SPP105 Introduction to Political Economy | SB, DU | Spring | none | 4 | ECON105 |
| Another SPP 100-level course |
Three 200-level core courses.
It’s recommended that these be completed by the end of the fourth semester in the major. Required:
| Course Title | Gen Ed | Offered | Prereq | Credits | Substitutions |
| SPP280 Public Policy | SB | Fall, Spring | none | 4 | POLISCI280 |
| SPP203 Economics for Public Policy | SB | Spring | math* | 4 | ECON103, RES-ECON102 |
| SPP204 Statistical Models for Public Policy | R2 | Fall | math* | 4 | STATISTC240, RES-ECON212, PSYCH240, ANTHRO281, PUBHLTH 223, OIM240 |
*Math: Depending upon your math placement score on the algebra section, math courses may be needed to prepare for SPP203 Economics for Public Policy and SPP204 Statistical Models for Public Policy. Common pathways are below, but additional options can be found in the description of each course in SPIRE:
- Math placement 0 - 10: Algebra prep course in summer or winter, MATH 101, MATH 102
- Math placement 11 - 15: MATH 101, MATH 102
- Math placement 16 - 19: STATISTICS 111
- Math placement 20+: None
Three upper-level requirements.
| 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 | |
| SPP394CI SPP Practicum: Contemplating Your Career | Fall | 1 | |||
| SPP400-level: Capstone for Public Policy Majors | IE | Spring | SPP203, SPP204, SPP280 | 4 | Honors students may substitute SPP499H |
Public policy electives - 20 credits, including 12 credits at 300-level or higher
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 |
| SPP208 Defending Democracy in a Digital World | SB | Fall | none | 4 | COMM/CICS208 | |
| JOURNAL290STA The Politician and the Journalist | Fall | Spring | none | 3 | ||
| SPP309 Natural Resource Policy Administration | Spring | 3 | NRC309 | |||
| SPP310 Environmental and Resource Economics | Fall | SPP203 or Econ103 or Res-Econ102 | 4 | ECON310 | ||
| SPP312 Making a Difference: Policies and Strategies for Social Change | SB, DU | Fall | sophomore, junior, senior | 4 | ||
| SPP320 Introduction to Public Administration | Spring | sophomore, junior, senior | 4 | POLISCI320 | ||
| SPP364 Gender and Race in U.S. Social Policy | Fall | Spring | junior, senior | 4 | HIST/POLISCI364 | |
| SPP376 Catalyzing Change: Creating & Running a Nonprofit | sophomore, junior, senior | 4 | ||||
| SPP394L Leading for Social Impact | IE | Spr 25 | 4 | |||
| SPP394PO Politics & Policy in the American Police State | IE | Spring | 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 | ||
| SPP525 Governing the Commons | Fall 24 | senior | 3 | |||
| SPP540 Internet Governance and Information Policy | Fall | senior | 3 |
Seniors may also request instructor permission to take 600-level graduate courses. (For those in the Commonwealth Honors College, two 600-level graduate classes are likely to be permitted to count toward the honors curriculum. Check with your CHC advisor for details.)
Transfer Students, Study Abroad & Domestic Exchange
Transfer Students
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.
Study Abroad & Domestic Exchange
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.
Learn More
General Questions: Email publicpolicyba@umass.edu.
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.
