The Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy is a joint major/minor program designed to introduce students to practices, policies, and issues in government and society. The program focuses on how public problems are defined, and how responses to the problems are designed, implemented, and evaluated. It guides students through an interdisciplinary approach to develop their analytic abilities, research skills, and knowledge in various policy areas, while allowing students the flexibility to study topics of special personal interest.

Program of Study
The major in public policy is a combined major and minor program requiring a minimum of 54 credits.

• 12 semester-length courses (36 credits)
• Approximately 6 courses in a field of concentration (18 credits). This concentration, designed by the student in consultation with an adviser, fulfills the University's requirement for a minor field of study.

Core Courses in Public Policy (36 Credits)

• PUB 140 Introduction to Public Policy
• PAD 204 Computer Modeling for Decision Support
• PUB 316 Methodological Tools for Public Policy
• PAD 303 Public Administration and Management
• PAD 329 Bureaucratic Politics
• PUB 340 Introduction to Policy Analysis
• PUB 498 Internship in Public Affairs
• PUB 499 Senior Seminar in Public Affairs
• ECO 110M Principles of Economics I: Microeconomics
• ECO 111M Principles of Economics II: Macroeconomics

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• PAD 302 Understanding Public Organizations
• PUB 302/304 Public Policy in Theory & Practice
• PUB 307 Professional Applications for Public Admnistration and Policy
• PUB 321 State & Local Government
• PAD 321 Policy Analysis in Complex Systems
• PUB 532 Government and Policy in New York State
• PUB 328 Law & Policy
• PUB 330 Topics in American Policy History
• PUB 399 Selected Topics
• PAD 414/PUB 414 Policy Analysis in Public Administration
• PAD 424 Systems Thinking and Strategy Development

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Approved Concentration (18 Credits)
In consultation with a faculty adviser and the Director of the Public Policy Program, the student develops a concentration in a particular area of public policy. This concentration fulfills the University's requirement for a minor field of study. The concentration may utilize courses from several departments. Three of the six courses must be at the 300-level or above or have at least one prerequisite.

Policy concentrations include:

• Public Administration
• Study of Society
• Urban Issues
• Economics
• Women, Gender, & Policy
• International
• Environment and Society
• Education Policy
  

Career Opportunities

The Public Policy curriculum combines a strong academic program with opportunities to develop expertise in a particular policy area and hone communications and analytical skills. Graduates of the Public Policy program are employed in all areas of government, industry, and the nonprofit sector, with many going on to graduate study and careers in public and private management and law.

Majors in Public Policy with strong academic records also may enroll in a combined undergraduate/graduate program allowing them to complete both the undergraduate major and a Master's degree in Public Policy or Public Administration in one less semester than would normally be required for both degrees.