The Public Policy: Accelerated Pathways program at St. Catherine University is designed for students who want to combine the strengths of a liberal arts education with advanced professional training in public policy and public affairs. Through a partnership with the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, students earn both a Bachelor of Science degree and a master’s degree in just five years.

Students in the program complete the Public Policy major at St. Catherine University while building advanced skills in policy analysis, quantitative reasoning, research methodologies, writing, communication, leadership, and community engagement. The curriculum emphasizes applied learning, data-informed decision making, ethical leadership, and interdisciplinary problem solving to prepare students for careers in government, nonprofit leadership, advocacy, consulting, urban planning, international development, and policy research.

Students may pursue one of five graduate pathways at the Humphrey School:

• Master of Public Policy (MPP)

• Master of Development Practice (MDP)

• Master of Human Rights (MHR)

• Master of Science in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (MS-STEP)

• Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)

During the first three years, students complete foundational coursework at St. Catherine University in economics, political science, public policy, statistical methods, research, and professional communication. Students formally apply to their selected master’s program during the third year.

In the fourth year, students take courses at both institutions while completing a four-credit internship that provides hands-on professional experience in policy, planning, research, advocacy, or community development settings. After completing year four, students receive their bachelor’s degree from St. Catherine University and then finish the remaining graduate coursework at the Humphrey School during year five.

The program prepares students to address complex public challenges through policy analysis, collaborative leadership, research, strategic planning, and evidence-based decision making. Graduates are well prepared for careers in public policy, government relations, nonprofit management, urban and regional planning, human rights advocacy, environmental policy, international development, and public sector leadership.

 This major is offered in the College for Women only.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ECON 1090	Statistical Analysis for Decision Making	4
or STAT 1090	Statistical Analysis
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
POSC 1710W	Introduction to American Government and Policy	4
POSC 3070	Public Policy	4
ECON 4150W	Econometrics	4
ECON 4604	Internship	4
Choose 12 Credits from Pathways below:		12
Master of Public Policy pathway
ECON 3350	Public Finance
ECON 3700	Methods and Modeling for Economics, Finance, and Analytics
ECON 3610	Microeconomic Theory
Master of Development Practice pathway
POSC 3150	Women and Globalization
SOCI 3450	Women's Issues from Global Perspectives
ECON 3450W	Haves and Have Nots: Development, Poverty, and Inequality
Master of Human Rights pathway
POSC 3800	Human Rights
COMM 3100	Communicating across Cultures, Identities and Differences
SOCI 2150	Challenging Oppressions, Civic Engagement and Change
MS in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy pathway
BIOL 1110	Environmental Biology with Lab
PHIL 3100	Environmental Ethics
ECON 3300	Environmental Economics and Policy
Master of Urban and Regional Planning pathway
DSCI 1000	Telling Stories with Data - Introduction to Data Visualization
COMM 3030	Rhetoric, Civic Participation and Social Justice
POSC 3700	History of Feminism in Western Society
Total Credits		48