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.

Academic Requirements

Core and Required Courses: Public Policy 155D, 301, 302D, 303D, 304; one history course; Statistical Science 199L (STA 198L, STA 101L, STA 102L, STA 104L, STA 111L, STA 130L or ECON 104 may substitute for STA 199L); plus four Public Policy 160-699-level elective courses, one of which must be a 401-699-level course. Effective Fall 2023, PUBPOL 155D will be offered as a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) Course.  All other public policy courses must be taken for credit and cannot be taken as satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U).

Economics 201D may be substituted for Public Policy 303D. Either course is a prerequisite for Public Policy 304. Global Health 210 (Global Health Ethics) may be substituted for Public Policy 302.

The required history course must include a public policy component. History classes taught by public policy faculty or other history department classes designated by the public policy director of undergraduate studies may be used to satisfy this requirement.

No more than two transfer (including study abroad) credits may be counted toward the major requirements. Note that Public Policy 450AS (Glasgow Seminar in Public Policy) is classified as a Duke course rather than a transfer course.

A policy-oriented internship, approved by the department, is required.

Internship Program

The internship is a culmination of the core coursework and gives students a chance to see how the skills from these classes apply in a real-world context. It also gives students the opportunity to gain exposure to different parts of the policy field and helps them prepare for their eventual job search.

For students to qualify to do their internship, they must have completed at least 3 of the following 6 required courses: STATS 199L, PUBPOL 155D, 301, 302 (GLHLTH 210), 303, or 304.  From this list of courses, at least one course needs to be PUBPOL 155, 301 or 302. Students must finish their sophomore year before their internship. School year internships are no longer permitted. With the exception of Duke in DC, students will be required to do the internship during the summer.

The internship application process takes place during the fall and spring semesters prior to the internship under the guidance, assistance, and approval of the Public Policy Internship Office. Students whose internships are not preapproved by the internship office run the risk of not receiving credit for their internships. Upon completion of the internship, students are required to submit an internship experience evaluation form and submit the internship written assignment.

Public policy majors are strongly encouraged to take advanced follow-up coursework that builds upon the knowledge gained from their internship experiences.

More information on the internship requirement can be found at sanford.duke.edu/academics/undergraduate-program/current-students/internship-requirements.

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 3.70 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 3.70 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:

1. Must be a Duke University undergraduate public policy major.

2. Must have a 3.5 GPA in the public policy major and overall (must maintain through junior year).

3. Must meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the Director of Graduate Studies (MPP) prior to applying.

4. Must have three letters of recommendation – we suggest two faculty and one internship/professional.

5. Complete the online MPP application.