Policy Studies gives you key skills like technical writing, survey research, statistical analysis and teamwork that all employers hunger for. Our majors regularly beat out MBA's and MPA's for jobs because they have the skills to do the job employers want done. Skills are introduced through our core courses and then practiced over and over in the real world through internships and community-based courses.  See below for the required classes to be a Policy Studies major or minor.

Majors:

Students are required to take a 18-credit course core and a 12-credit topical specialization with at least four courses numbered above 299 in the topical specialization.

    Core Requirements

    The core introduces research skills necessary to analyze public-policy issues. The following courses are required:

1. PAF 101: An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy
   (See the class website by clicking here)

2. MAX 201: Quantitative Methods

3. PAF 315: Methods of Public Policy Analysis & Presentation

4. PAF 410: Practicum in Public Policy

5. ECN 203: Economic Ideas and Issues

6. MAX 123: Critical Issues for the United States

    Topical Specializations

    Students must complete 12 credits in one of the four topical specializations listed below, with no more than 9 credits from any one department. The courses chosen must be approved by the policy studies advisor.

• Environment

• Government and Business

• Health, Education, and Human Services

• Society and the Legal System

Minors:

The policy studies minor provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding problems confronting our society.  The concentration (or minor) in policy studies consists of 18 credits, of which at least 12 must be courses numbered above 299.

    Core Requirements

    The following courses are required:

1. PAF 101: An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy
   (See the class website by clicking here)

2. ECN 102: Introduction to Macroeconomics OR ECN 203: Economic Ideas and Issues

3. PAF 410: Practicum in Public Policy

    Topical Specializations

    The remaining 9 credits are taken from courses numbered 300 or above within one of the following specializations:

• Environment

• Government and Business

• Health, Education, and Human Services

• Society and the Legal System

    A minor in policy studies is granted after all coursework has been completed. A Petition to the Faculty form should be written stating the courses that have been completed towards the minor.