Core Curriculum

"Had this program been in place two years ago, I almost certainly would have pursued it. The program's integration of public policy with real-world application would be invaluable for anyone interested in a career in public service."

— Noah P. Sullivan, A&S '06, Former Student Council President

Core Curriculum

The core curriculum provides a strong analytic foundation for public policy careers.

The Program consists of a core curriculum, a summer public policy internship, elective courses, and a public policy study conducted for a real world organizational client. Fourth year students begin their professional studies and complete their remaining undergraduate coursework to receive their bachelor's degrees at the end of the year. After the summer internship, students return to Grounds for a final year of study. Graduates will be well prepared for careers in government, with non-profit organizations, and in private firms engaged in public-private partnerships.

Students take five public policy courses in the fourth year

American Political Institutions and Processes; Economic Analysis of Public Policy (a, b); Research Methods and Data Analysis (a); and Introduction to Policy Analysis.

Five core public policy courses are required in the fifth year

Research Methods and Data Analysis (b); Policy History; Strategic Leadership and Public Management; Legal and Moral Reasoning for Public Policy; and the Advanced Policy Analysis seminar.

Electives and Specialized Fields of Concentration

Students will be given the opportunity to develop substantive knowledge about their areas of interest. Students are free to take electives in any Arts and Sciences Department as well as in selected other university departments and schools. Concentration fields include international relations, development policy, health policy, education policy, and environmental policy.