Curriculum

The required courses in the major equip students with the conceptual, analytical, and professional tools to be successful in careers in public affairs. 

Conceptually, the Foundations of Public Affairs course introduces students to the realm of public affairs by examining the role that government plays in society, the historical evolution of the public sphere in the United States, and the moral and ethical aspects of public policies. The Analysis of Policy Adoption and Implementation course builds on this foundation by giving students a map and a framework for thinking about public policy from the inception of a proposal to the adoption of rules and policies all the way to the implementation and management of programs. 

Analytically, students acquire the skills of using economic analysis to design and evaluate policies via their Introduction to Microeconomics and Economic Analysis of Public Affairs courses. They also build a foundation of strong quantitative and qualitative methods via the Elements of Statistics, Qualitative Methods for Public Affairs, and Quantitative Methods of Public Affairs courses in the major. Finally, the major also emphasizes professional skills such as writing and communication, professional behavior, and leadership. These skills form the backbone of the Communication for Public Affairs, Professional Development, and Leadership Laboratory courses. 

Graduating students then put all of these acquired skills and competencies together in a capstone experience (the Policy Simulation/Case Challenge) that puts them in the middle of a realistic policy scenario in which they have to use all that they have learned to craft solutions to a current policy problem under time pressure.

While completing these core curricular requirements, students in the major also craft their own specific areas of expertise within public affairs. Each student takes five courses on specific policy areas of their choice and completes a university-recognized minor or certificate in a field of their choosing. This allows every graduate to tailor their degree to their specific interests and passions.