The public policy major prepares students for entry-level jobs in government, politics, and public affairs within public, nonprofit, or private sectors or for graduate education in law, public administration, public affairs, and public policy.
The major introduces students to the use of analytical techniques to better understand public problems and evaluate alternative solutions to those problems. Examples include income inequality, health care reform, climate change, and immigration policy. The major leads to the bachelor of science (B.S.) degree awarded jointly by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and the School of Arts and Sciences.
Students in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) and in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) who wish to pursue the public policy major must apply for admission to the Bloustein School. Applicants must have achieved a minimum grade of C or better in each of the prerequisite courses and be in good academic standing. Applications may be obtained from the school's website at https://bloustein.rutgers.edu.
Only courses with a C or better may be counted toward the public policy major. For the most current configuration of courses for this major, please see the school's website.
PUBLIC POLICY MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites (12/13 credits)
01:355:101 Expository Writing (3)
10:775:205 Basic Statistical Methods (4) or preapproved 200-level equivalent (3)
Introduction to Microeconomics (3) or
Principles and Applications of Microeconomics (3)
01:790:104 American Government (3)
Major Requirements (28 credits)
Core (31 credits)
10:833:210 Principles of Public Policy (3)
10:833:215 Writing, Reasoning, and Public Policy (3)
10:833:220
Public Economic Policy (3)
10:775:300 Writing for Professionals (3)
One
of the following (3):
10:833:360
Principles of Public Management (3)
10:833:361
Managing People and Organizations
(3)
10:833:362
Nonprofit Management
(3)
10:775:395 Research Methods (4) (Open to majors only)
10:775:450 Leadership Seminar (3) (Open to majors only; minimum of 85 credits) 10:775:499 Professional Practice Internship* (6) Prerequisites: 10:775:395 Research Methods and 10:775:450 Leadership Seminar (Open to majors only)
Electives (15 additional credits of electives in 833)
Students may create their own public policy concentration (such as military policy, science policy, or technology policy) with written preapproval from the undergraduate director.
Articulated 3-1-1 Program (B.S./M.P.P.)
Exceptional, well-prepared students who wish to pursue graduate studies in public policy are encouraged to seek advising about the 3-1-1 master of public policy (M.P.P.) program.
