As a liberal arts major, public policy studies teaches students to read critically, think analytically, and write concisely. A policy-oriented internship is a required part of the curriculum.

Learning Objectives

• PPS majors should complete a series of interdisciplinary core and elective courses so they can analyze and evaluate contemporary public policy problems.
• PPS majors should learn to integrate skills learned in the coursework and the practice of public policy making. This is accomplished through required internships.
• PPS majors should become proficient in writing skills; both those skills that require substantive, clear, succinct analysis of contemporary policy-related issues and those that require more in-depth exploration and explanation of issues in the academic discipline of public policy studies.
• To gain an understanding of the scholarly context of public policymaking, PPS majors are strongly encouraged to participate, if possible, in an undergraduate research experience such as an honor’s thesis, an independent study, a research service-learning course or project, or to work as a research assistant for a professor.