The BA in Public Policy prepares students interested in public policy to serve the common good and advance a just society, in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul. Public policy is a discipline that explores the role and impact of decision-making by governments. The discipline includes knowledge of both process and substance of a particular policy area. Thus, a student in public policy must have both generalist and specialist skills to apply to a particular public problem. In terms of political process, the study of public policy examines questions of how public policy is formulated, implemented, and evaluated over time. It also explores notions of agenda-setting and framing of issues that lead to a problem gaining the attention of the government. Public policy specialists and analysts are hired by all levels of government. During the past several years in addition to the government sector, the nonprofit and private sectors have sought public policy analysts for employment. Therefore, the curriculum prepares students for being public policy specialists in both the private and nonprofit sectors in addition to the public sector. The curriculum is tailored to prepare students who would like to continue their education in graduate programs or law schools. The program offers opportunities to students to pursue internships, conduct research, and participate Global Learning Experiences (GLE).
In the Public Policy (BA) students take a common core of courses dealing with public policy theories, processes, methods of public policy analysis, and important environmental and urban policy issues. In addition, a data analysis course is required that the student selects from a list of approved courses. Microeconomics, statistics, or Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is strongly encouraged. The senior capstone course brings together Public Policy students at the end of their curriculum to study a public policy problem in-depth under the direction of a public policy professor.
Mission Statement
The Public Policy degree (BA) educates undergraduate students on the decisions and non-decisions made by government organizations and the ways in which businesses, nonprofit organizations, and civil society participate in policy making. The focus is on understanding how policy is designed, formulated, implemented and evaluated as part of the policy process. Being aware of public problems, policy agenda-setting, and decision making provides students with a broad background that will allow them to succeed in the workplace, graduate school, or law school. We promote compassion for marginalized communities and service to all people with integrity, accountability, justice, professionalism, sensitivity, and transparency.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Liberal Studies Requirements | 84 |
| Major Requirements | 52 |
| Open Electives | 56 |
| Total hours required | 192 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Evaluate different approaches to public policy studies in terms of theoretical and practical applications
- Evaluate the institutional and structural elements of public policy making and implementation.
- Apply critical thinking concepts of public policy analysis which includes understanding of research design and methods, interpretation and communication of results, and research ethics.
- Apply knowledge of a special topic related to public policy to demonstrate mastery of the subject matter.
College Core Requirements
Study in the Major Field
The student’s course of study in the College consists of three parts: Liberal Studies, the major field, and electives. Together these three parts contribute to the liberal education of the student which is the common purpose of all study in the College. By “liberal education” the College understands not only a deep and thorough knowledge of a particular area of study but a knowledge of the diverse areas of study represented by criticism, history, the arts, the behavioral and social sciences, philosophy, religious studies, the natural science, and mathematics.
The major field program generally is built upon a set of core courses and a specialized “concentration.” The number of courses required for a major varies by department. Most students go beyond the minimum requirements, electing additional courses which both broaden and deepen their understanding of their chosen discipline.
Because no academic major program is built in isolation, students are required to pursue a number of electives of the student’s choice. The inherent flexibility of this curriculum demands that the student consult an academic advisor at each stage in the total program and at least once prior to each registration.
Students will be prompted to visit the College Office for their official graduation check early in their senior year.
Declaration of Major, Minor and Concentration
All students in the College are required to declare a major field prior to beginning their junior year. The student will then be assigned a faculty advisor in the major field department or program and should make an appointment to see that advisor at his or her earliest convenience.
Students must declare or change majors, minors, and concentrations, via Campus Connection. However, for the purpose of exploring the possibility of changing a major field, the student should consult an academic advisor in the Office for Academic Advising Support.
The Modern Language Requirement (MLR)
All students will be required to demonstrate competence in a modern language (i.e., a language other than English) equivalent to the proficiency attained from one year of college-level language study. This Modern Language Requirement (MLR) may be demonstrated by:
- placing into 104 or above on the DePaul language placement exam
- completing the last course or earning AP/IB credit for the last course in the first-year college sequence of any language (e.g. 103 for DePaul language classes)
- completing a college course or earning AP/IB credit for a college course beyond the first-year level in any language (e.g. 104 or above for DePaul language classes)
- completing the final course of a four-year sequence of the same modern language in high school*
- completing a proctored exam by BYU and passing the exam (see the Department of Modern Languages website for registration details)
- completing a proctored Written Proficiency Test (WPT) by Language Testing International (LTI) and achieving a score of Beginner High or above (see the Department of Modern Languages website for registration details)
*Students are strongly encouraged to take the DePaul language placement exam even if they have met the MLR via study of a language in high school. This will ensure continuation of language study at the proper level.
Please note: Modern Languages courses with an E-designation are taught in English and may not be applied to the Modern Language Requirement.
Students who complete an Inter-College Transfer (ICT) to the College will abide by the MLR in place on the effective date of the ICT, regardless of when they first matriculated at DePaul.
Students who have met the MLR and wish to pursue further work in the language may elect the “Modern Language Option” (see below).
The Modern Language Option (MLO)
The Modern Language Option is available to all BA students who wish to study a modern language beyond the level required by their College, and to all other undergraduate students without a modern language requirement who wish to study a language at any level.
Students selecting the MLO may substitute a sequence of three courses in the same language for three domain courses.
The three MLO substitutions must be made in three different domains, and any substitutions must be consistent with the principle that students complete at least one course in each learning domain.
MLO substitutions may not be used to replace requirements in the Math & Computing, and Scientific Inquiry, domains.
Students majoring in one modern language may use the Modern Language Option for study of a second language at the Intermediate level or above.
Modern Languages courses with an E-designation are taught in English and may not be applied to the Modern Language Option.
NOTE: Please contact your college/school regarding additional information and restrictions about the Modern Language Option.
External Credit and Residency
A student who has been admitted to the College begins residency within the college as of the first day of classes of the term in which the student is registered. Students in residence, whether attending on a full-time or part-time basis, may not take courses away from DePaul University without the written permission of the college. Permission must be obtained in advance of registration to avoid loss of credit or residency in the college; see the LAS website for more information.
Liberal Studies Requirements
Honors program requirements can be found in the individual Colleges & Schools section of the University Catalog. Select the appropriate college or school, followed by Undergraduate Academics and scroll down.
| First Year Program | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Quarter | ||
| LSP 110 or LSP 111 | DISCOVER CHICAGO or EXPLORE CHICAGO | 4 |
| Focal Point | ||
| LSP 112 | FOCAL POINT SEMINAR | 4 |
| Writing | ||
| WRD 103 | COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC I 1 | 4 |
| WRD 104 | COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC II 1 | 4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MAT 120 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING 2 | 4 |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Race, Power, and Resistance | ||
| LSP 200 | SEMINAR ON RACE, POWER, AND RESISTANCE | 4 |
| Junior Year | ||
| Experiential Learning | ||
| Required | 4 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| PPS 393 | CAPSTONE: GENTRIFICATION 1, 3 | 4 |
| PPS 394 | CAPSTONE: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 1,3 | 4 |
- 1
Students must earn a C- or better in this course.
- 2
Readiness for MAT 120 is determined by the math placement test taken online after admission. Students may need to take developmental coursework prior to MAT 120. Students who complete MAT 120 and both a Computational Reasoning course and a Statistical Reasoning course in the Math and Computing Learning Domain take one less Learning Domain course. Students may not apply the course reduction to any Domain where only one course is required, and cannot be applied to the Scientific Inquiry Learning Domain. The MAT 120 requirement may be waived by passing a dedicated proficiency exam or it may be fulfilled by credit for advanced math coursework earned in-residence at DePaul (MAT 135, MAT 136, MAT 147, MAT 148, MAT 149, MAT 150, MAT 151, MAT 152 MAT 155, MAT 156, MAT 160, MAT 161, MAT 162 MAT 170, MAT 171, MAT 172, or equivalent) or earned externally either as transfer credit from another college/university or as test credit through AP, CLEP, IB, or International A and A/S Level exams. Calculus course(s) may be used to fulfill any of the three QR/MCD requirements.
- 3
All students pursuing a Public Policy major are eligible to complete the PPS capstone. A student whose only major is in Public Policy is required to complete the Public Policy Capstone. A student who is double majoring (or pursuing dual degrees) with Public Policy as the primary major (or primary degree) may substitute the Capstone of the secondary major or degree and complete a 300-level PPS course to ensure enough PPS credit hours are met. A Public Policy major in the University Honors Program is required to take the University Honors Capstone, and may take the Public Policy capstone as a 300-level PPS course if they wish to complete a 300-level PPS course to ensure enough PPS credit hours are met.
Learning Domains
Arts and Literature (AL)
- 3 Courses Required
Historical Inquiry (HI)
- 2 Courses Required
Math and Computing (MC)
- 1 Course Required
[1 CR Course]
Philosophical Inquiry (PI)
- 2 Courses Required
Religious Dimensions (RD)
- 2 Courses Required
Scientific Inquiry (SI)
- 2 Courses Required
[1 Lab Course and 1 SWK Course]
Social, Cultural, and Behavioral Inquiry (SCBI)
- 1 Course Required
Notes
Courses offered in the student's primary major cannot be taken to fulfill LSP Domain requirements. If students double major, LSP Domain courses may double count for both LSP credit and the second major. Students who choose to take an experiential learning course offered by the major may count it either as a general elective or the Experiential Learning requirement.
In meeting learning domain requirements, no more than one course that is outside the student’s major and is cross-listed with a course within the student’s major, can be applied to count for LSP domain credit. This policy does not apply to those who are pursuing a double major or earning BFA or BM degrees.
Major Requirements
Course Requirements
Core
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PPS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY | 4 |
| PPS 205 | PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS | 4 |
| PPS 300 | APPLIED URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS | 4 |
| PPS 301 | PUBLIC POLICY AND POLITICS | 4 |
| PPS 336 | QUANTITATIVE PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS | 4 |
Elective PPS Courses
Students choose eight elective courses (thirty-two credit hours) from the list below. Of those thirty-two credit hours, five courses (twenty credit hours) are required at the 300 level. Up to eight credit hours (two courses) may come from Approved Courses outside of PPS. PPS courses not listed here can be substituted with the consent of an advisor (PPSAdvising@depaul.edu).
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PUBLIC POLICY AND URBAN ISSUES | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE | ||
| ISSUES IN NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT | ||
| URBAN POVERTY | ||
| CITIES, GLOBALIZATION AND PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY | ||
| DISABILITY RIGHTS AND POLICY | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND POLICY | ||
| PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| FUNDRAISING FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | ||
| STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING | ||
| SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT | ||
| NATIONAL PARKS POLICY AND GOVERNANCE | ||
| GREEN CITIES | ||
| SUSTAINABLE LAND REVITALIZATION AND BROWNFIELDS DEVELOPMENT POLICY | ||
| ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING | ||
| ISSUES IN URBAN REDEVELOPMENT | ||
| THE POLICY AND POLITICS OF URBAN HOUSING | ||
| ISSUES IN URBAN EDUCATIONAL POLICY | ||
| INEQUALITY AND PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN NONPROFIT STUDIES | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES | ||
| GREAT LAKES GOVERNANCE POLICY AND MANAGEMENT | ||
| PUBLIC SPACES AND SOCIAL CONTROL | ||
| ENVIRONMENTALISM AND DISABILITY | ||
| ENERGY POLICY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
| URBAN RESILIENCE AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION POLICY | ||
| CAPSTONE: GENTRIFICATION 1 | ||
| CAPSTONE: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 1 | ||
| INTERNSHIP |
- 1
If not taken as the PPS Capstone requirement/LSP Senior Year Capstone requirement.
Approved Courses outside of PPS
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHILD AND FAMILY IN THE URBAN COMMUNITY | ||
| IMPACT OF PUBLIC POLICY ON FAMILIES OF YOUNG CHILDREN | ||
| SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
| DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS | ||
| ECONOMICS OF LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES | ||
| URBANIZATION | ||
| COMPARATIVE URBANISM | ||
| GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS II: COMMUNITY GIS | ||
| GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE | ||
| SUSTAINABLE URBAN TRANSPORTATION | ||
| HEALTH CARE POLICY IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
| TOPICS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES | ||
| TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| THE POLITICS OF EDUCATION | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | ||
| REAL ESTATE ANALYSIS | ||
| RELIGION AND POLITICS IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
| POLICING THE MARGINS | ||
| GLOBAL CITIES | ||
| CRIMINALIZATION, PUNISHMENT, & RESISTANCE | ||
| GENDER, CRIME AND JUSTICE | ||
| SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY |
Open Electives
Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours.