Public Policy (AB) (U-PPS-AB)
Public Policy (AB)
Program Code: U-PPS-AB
Degree Designation: Bachelor of Arts
Department: School of Public Policy
Website: sanford.duke.edu/academics/undergraduate-program/programs/ba-public-policy
Program Summary
The Sanford School of Public Policy educates the next generation of policy professionals in a time when the skill set needed to succeed is changing and government needs professionals more than ever. Our mission is to improve lives and communities by researching the most pressing public policy issues and preparing students for lives of leadership, civic engagement, and public service. Information about the bachelor of arts in public policy is available at sanford.duke.edu/academics/undergraduate-program.
The Major
The public policy major offers many exciting opportunities. We teach courses in a broad array of areas, including education and social policy, health and population, environment and energy, international development, global governance and security, civil society, and leadership and ethics.
Rigorous coursework provides students with skills in political and economic analysis, knowledge about how to lead people and organizations, and a strong ethical foundation for decision-making. As a liberal arts major, public policy majors will enhance skills in political and economic analysis, articulate more concisely and clearly through critical analyzations, consider the implications of actions to make strong and ethical decisions, and participate in a policy-oriented internship. In addition, students are urged to participate actively in programs sponsored by the Sanford School of Public Policy to supplement the material covered in class.
Go to Programs by Department to view all related programs.
Departmental Graduation with Distinction
For graduation with departmental distinction, students are required to complete an honors seminar or independent study project and produce an honors research project. To be awarded Distinction in Public Policy, a student must receive no less than an A- on the research paper as determined by the honors program director and have at least a 3.40 average in the following subset of public policy courses: Public Policy 155D, 301, 302D, and 303D.
If a student is judged to have done a clearly superior research project, as evidenced by a grade of A or A+ as determined by the honors program director, and if the 3.40 or higher average in the above subset of courses is attained, the Highest Distinction in Public Policy is awarded. The proposed program of research must be approved in advance by the director of undergraduate studies. More details on the honors program can be found at sanford.duke.edu/academics/undergraduate-program/current-students/honors-program.
Accelerated MPP
The 4+1 Accelerated Master of Public Policy track is an opportunity for Duke Undergraduate public policy majors to complete both their undergraduate and master’s degrees in five years.
Majors who are able to pursue graduate-level coursework during their senior year are eligible to apply in the spring of their junior year. Students will complete the entire 51 graduate credits required for traditional two-year MPP students. This is a continuous enrollment program so students may not take a leave of absence between the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Requirements:
Must be a Duke University undergraduate public policy major.
Must have a 3.5 GPA in the public policy major and overall (must maintain through junior year).
Must meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Director of Graduate Studies (MPP) prior to applying.
Must have three letters of recommendation – we suggest two faculty and one internship/professional.
Complete the online MPP application.