B.S. in Public Policy

The School of Public Policy

The Bachelor of Science in Public Policy (BSPP) provides strong analytical, communication, management, and leadership skills to students seeking careers in public service, law, and the private sector. These skills are coupled with a solid understanding of the complex political, social, and economic forces that shape public problems and their solutions.

An important part of the undergraduate degree program in Public Policy is to learn how to navigate among the many disciplines that are used to shape strategic decisions. These include economics, political science, sociology, ethics, statistics, and philosophy. Knowledge and techniques from these fields are integrated in core and elective courses, culminating in a senior research project (often conducted for a public or nonprofit agency) that demonstrates students’ disciplinary and interdisciplinary agility. Many students choose to focus additional effort in the School’s pre-law or philosophy programs. In addition to the School’s academic advising structure, every student is assigned a faculty mentor who will help with course selections, internship and research opportunities, and career preparation.

Focus Areas

  • Enviornment/Energy Policy
  • Science and Technology Policy
  • Philosophy
  • Politics and Policy
  • Social Policy
  • Urban Policy

Sample Courses

  • Foundations of Leadership
  • Legal Practice
  • Negotiating Sustainability
  • Political Philosophy
  • Stem Cell Policy

Career Paths

  • City and Regional Planning
  • Economic Development
  • Government Relations
  • Law
  • Political Consulting