The Policy Studies program examines how decisions are made and how they affect government policies at the international, federal, state, and local levels, as well as in private business and nonprofit organizations. We also look at the policymaking process, the resulting impact, and how, in general, policies affect people's lives. The major introduces students to historical, social, economic, and political factors shaping contemporary policy issues. Students develop an expertise in a policy area of their choice that provides a broad range of scholarly perspectives.
Requirements for Major and Minor -
FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE MATRICULATED FALL 2021 AND AFTER
Major Requirements
Students
are required to take a 21-credit course core and a 9-credits of electives
numbered 300 or above.
- MAX 123: Critical Issues for the United States
- PAI 305: Policy
Implementation
- PST 101: An Introduction
to the Analysis of Public Policy
- MAX 201: Quantitative Methods for Social Sciences
- PST 315: Methods of
Public Policy Analysis & Presentation
- PST 410: Practicum in
Public Policy
- ECN 101: Introductory
Microeconomics
Electives
- All PST
and PAI courses numbered 300 or above.
- PHP 318: Alcohol,
Other Drugs, Sex and Gambling: Dynamics of Addiction
- PHP 402: Implementing
and Evaluating Health Programs
- IST 343: Data in
Society
- IST 387: Introduction
to Applied Data Science
- PSC 302: Environmental
Politics and Policy
- PSC 308: The
Politics of U.S. Public Policy
- SWK 314: Social
Welfare Policy and Services I
- SWK 315: Social
Welfare Policy and Services II
- WRT 307: Advanced
Writing Studio: Professional Writing
Minor Requirements
The
Policy Studies Minor provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding
problems confronting our society. The minor in policy studies consists of 18
credits, of which at least 12 credits must be in courses 300 and above. We
strongly recommend that you try to fit the major into your academic plans
rather than the minor.
Core Requirements
The
following courses are required:
1. PST 101: An Introduction
to the Analysis of Public Policy
2. ECN 101: Introductory
Microeconomics
3. PST 410: Practicum in
Public Policy
Additional Information
The
remaining 9 credits are taken from courses numbered 300 or above. The
eligible courses are available each semester on the Policy Studies Course
Selection Guide.
A minor
in policy studies is granted after all coursework has been
completed. A Petition to the Faculty form should be written listing completed
courses that count towards the minor. If you are undecided between the minor
and the major, contact Professor Coplin at wdcoplin@syr.edu or Michelle Walker
at mawalker@syr.edu or come to Maxwell 102 to make an appointment. Once you
have decided on the minor, Michelle Walker will be your advisor.
>> Read descriptions for these and other courses offered to policy studies students.
Requirements for Major and Minor -
FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE MATRICULATED PRIOR TO FALL 2021
Policy Studies is an interdisciplinary major that requires 10 courses with six core courses and four courses completed in your chosen topical specialization.
Core Courses
- PST 101: An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy
- MAX 201: Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences
- PST 315: Methods of Public Policy Analysis and Presentation
- PST 410: Practicum in Public Policy
- ECN 101 or ECN 102: Introductory Microeconomics or Introductory Macroeconomics
- MAX 123: Critical Issues for the United States
Topical Specializations
- Environment;
- Government and Business;
- Health, Education, and Human Services;
- Society and the Legal System.
Minor Requirements
The
Policy Studies Minor provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding
problems confronting our society. The minor in policy studies consists of 18 credits,
of which at least 12 credits must be in courses above 299. We strongly
recommend that you try to fit the major into your academic plans rather than
the minor.
Core Requirements
The
following courses are required:
1. PST 101: An Introduction
to the Analysis of Public Policy
2. ECN 101: Introductory
Microeconomics
3. PST 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
The
eligible courses within each specialization are available each semester on the
Policy Studies Course Selection Guide.
A minor
in policy studies is granted after all coursework has been
completed. A Petition to the Faculty form should be written listing completed
courses that count towards the minor. If you are undecided between the minor
and the major, contact Professor Coplin at wdcoplin@syr.edu or Michelle Walker
at mawalker@syr.edu or come to Maxwell 102 to make an appointment. Once you
have decided on the minor, Michelle Walker will be your advisor.