The Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy (MPP)

Undergraduate Program

Public Policy is an interdisciplinary major that focuses on analytical decision making to study diverse subjects ranging from the processes of making, implementing and evaluating government policies to the ethical evaluation of contemporary social problems. It emphasizes quantitative and economic analysis, the study of political institutions that produce policy, and the examination of specific policy areas such as environment and health. The Public Policy major draws on coursework primarily from Economics and Government, but also on courses in Psychology, Sociology, Law, Philosophy, and others. Graduates from the undergraduate Public Policy program pursue a wide array of careers in public service, policymaking and politics, finding employment in governments at all levels, consulting firms that work with governmental clients, regulated industries as well as non-profits. Public Policy graduates regularly pursue graduate studies in business administration, economics, environmental studies, health policy and administration, law, political science, psychology, public administration, public policy analysis, social work, sociology and urban affairs. In addition to preparing Public Policy majors to be participants in the policy process, an important goal is also to teach students to be well-informed, capable citizens. In addition to the interdisciplinary major, the Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy offers other opportunities for students interested in public policy, such as:

Internships

A variety of internships are available to students. Internships provide a unique experience that enable students to apply their academic studies to a professional setting. These internships are sometimes done for course credit, monetary compensation or purely for the experience. Typically, internships involve some supervision from a faculty member. Course credit is available for internships, either through Public Policy or Interdisciplinary Studies 491: Public Affairs Internship course (1 credit).

The Undergraduate Major in Public Policy

Required Credit Hours: 33. In addition, the implicit requirements of Economics 101 and 102 add six more credits for the major.

Major Computing Requirement: The Major Computing Requirement is fulfilled by completion of one course listed under “Statistics” and one course listed under “Second Methods Course” in the Common Core of the public policy concentration.

Major Writing Requirement: The Major Writing Requirement can be fulfilled by following the standard procedure for departmental majors in either the Department of Economics or Department of Government.

Core Requirements: There is a set of seven core classes. The remaining 12 hours of required courses for the major must be chosen from the list of approved electives from the Departments of Economics, Government, History, Mathematics, Psychology, Religion, Sociology and the School of Business.

General Requirements

1. A major in public policy shall consist of a minimum of 33 semester hours.

2. There is a set of seven common core courses. This includes: Statistics (either Business 231, Economics 307, Mathematics 351 or Sociology 353), Government 350, Government 351, Economics 303, Economics 321, Ethics (Philosophy 303), and a second methods course (either Economics 308, Sociology 352 or Government 307).

3. The remaining 12 hours of required courses for the major must be chosen from the list of electives. While the list of electives includes courses in several topic areas, there is no requirement to take particular sets of courses.