Public Policy - BS
The Public Policy major equips students with the interdisciplinary knowledge and applied skills to address today’s most urgent social and political challenges. Combining coursework in economics, political science, statistics, and sociology, the program prepares students to evaluate public problems, design effective policies, and communicate solutions clearly and persuasively.
Rooted in St. Kate’s mission to educate women to lead and influence, the major is designed for students seeking careers in government, advocacy organizations, nonprofits, NGOs, and elected office. Graduates emerge with a versatile toolkit that includes quantitative analysis, policy writing, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of structural inequality.
Students learn to navigate the political and economic forces that shape public policy, while building technical competencies in policy analysis, data interpretation, cost-benefit evaluation, and data visualization needed for today’s policy analyst roles. The coursework encourages students to pursue relevant policy topics that spark personal interest through research and other applied work, which are attractive discussion points for interviews and graduate school applications. A strong emphasis is placed on justice, equity, and women's leadership in policymaking, ensuring students are prepared not only to work in the field but to lead it.
Students gain hands-on experience through internships and collaborative research with faculty, working on topics such as education policy, criminal justice reform, and international development. Many students present their work at national conferences such as the Population Association of America (PAA) and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR). Internship placements have included the Minnesota Legislature, American Red Cross, Ramsey County, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Through its blend of liberal arts education and professional training, the Public Policy major prepares students to make an immediate impact—and a long-term difference—in public life.
This major is offered in the College for Women only.
This major is offered in the College for Women only.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Courses: | ||
| ECON 1120 | Economics of Social Issues | 4 |
| ECON 2610 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
| ECON 3050 | Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills | 4 |
| ECON 3650 | Cost-Benefit Analysis | 4 |
| ECON 4850W | Theory to Action | 4 |
| POSC 1710W | Introduction to American Government and Policy | 4 |
| POSC 3070 | Public Policy | 4 |
| Select three of the following (at least two must be at the 3000 level) | 12 | |
Any POSC course | ||
Any ECON course | ||
| Intro to the Nonprofit Sector | ||
| Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Challenging Oppressions, Civic Engagement and Change | ||
| Social Movements-Social Change | ||
| Migration, Citizenship, Community | ||
| Family, Identity and Inequality | ||
| Criminal Justice: From Policing to Punishment | ||
| Neighborhoods, Cities and Inequality | ||
| Introduction to Social Work | ||
| Social Policy for Social Change | ||
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Students must complete 8 additional upper-division credits (3XXX or 4XXX level) determined by the student and her advisor. Many students complete these 8 credits (usually 2 four-credit classes) by adding a minor or double major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Supporting Course: | ||
| ECON 1090 | Statistical Analysis for Decision Making | 4 |
| Total Credits | 4 | |
Public policy majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing POSC 1710W Introduction to American Government and Policy. They complete the liberal arts core Writing Requirement with three other writing-intensive courses (CORE 1000W The Reflective Woman, CORE 3990W Global Search for Justice, and any other writing-intensive course in this or another department).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | ||
| ECON 1120 | Economics of Social Issues | 4 |
| POSC 1710W | Introduction to American Government and Policy | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| ECON 2610 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
| POSC 3070 | Public Policy | 4 |
| Fall Term | ||
| ECON 1090 | Statistical Analysis for Decision Making | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| ECON 3050 | Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills | 4 |
| Fall Term | ||
| ECON 3650 | Cost-Benefit Analysis 1 | 4 |
| Select one upper-divsion elective from the choices listed under major requirements | 4 | |
| Spring Term | ||
| Select one upper-divsion elective from the choices listed under major requirements | 4 | |
| Fall Term | ||
| Select one upper-divsion elective from the choices listed under major requirements | 4 | |
| Spring Term | ||
| ECON 4850 | ||
| Total Credits | 40 | |