Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy
University of Redlands
Key Information
Campus location
Redlands, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 53,716 *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* Fall, Spring, and May terms
Scholarships
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Introduction
The Public Policy major draws its theoretical foundations from a variety of disciplines including government, economics, and sociology. Majors are trained both in the ethics of public policy-making as well as in the diverse methodologies used in the field. Because public policy is an applied field, majors take a variety of courses in such diverse areas as environmental studies, race and ethnic studies, women's and gender studies, government, economics, and sociology. Students develop a concentration that allows them to develop substantial expertise in an area of public policy analysis.
Admissions
Curriculum
The Major
The Bachelor of Arts
The Public Policy major draws its theoretical foundations from a variety of disciplines including political science, economics, and sociology. Majors are trained both in the ethics of public policy-making as well as in the diverse methodologies used in the field. Because public policy is an applied field, majors take a variety of applied courses in such diverse areas as environmental studies, race and ethnic studies, women, gender, and sexuality studies, political science, economics, and sociology. Students develop a concentration that allows them to develop substantial expertise in an area of public policy analysis. A minimum of 44 credits is required for completion of the major.
Core Course in Public Policy Analysis
- PLCY 100 Introduction to Public Policy Analysis
Foundations of Public Policy Analysis
- ECON 100 Economics of Society or ECON 101 Principles of Economics
and
- POLI 111 Introduction to American Politics
Ethics (Minimum: 1 Course)
- PHIL 110 Contemporary Moral Issues
- PHIL 221 Ethical Theory
- PHIL 320 Ethics and Law
- REL 120 Religion and Ethics
- REL 122 Environmental Ethics
- BUS 434 Applied Business Ethics
Methods (Minimum: 1 Course)
- POLI 202 Statistical Analysis and Mapping of Social Science Data
- ECON 400 Introduction to Econometrics
- EVST 110 Introduction to Spatial Analysis and GIS or SPA 110 Introduction to Spatial Analysis and GIS
- EVST 399 Research Methods for Environmental Scientists
- POLI 200 The Study of Politics
- MATH 111 Elementary Statistics and Probability with Applications
- PSYC 250 Statistical Methods
- SOAN 300 Research Methods in the Social Sciences
- WGS 330 Feminist Research Methods
Public Policy Concentration
(Minimum: 4-5 courses)
Majors shall develop a public policy concentration in consultation with the advisor. The concentration shall reflect substantial depth in a single area of public policy analysis. Concentrations must consist of a minimum of three courses with at least two courses being at the 200 level or higher.
A program contract must be completed detailing the specific courses required for the completion of the public policy concentration. The program contract shall be signed by both the student and the Program Director. Contracts will be kept on file in the Program Office and in the Registrar's Office. All public policy concentrations must be approved by the Director.
Samples of previously approved concentrations can be found in the Program Office. Approved concentrations have been developed in the following areas:
- Health, Education and Welfare Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Economic Policy
- Political Science and Public Policy
- Public Finance
- Immigration and Civil Rights Policy
- Law and Public Policy
- National Security Policy
- Women, Gender and Sexuality Policy
- Methods in Public Policy
Students are encouraged to develop and propose other concentrations as well.
Internship Requirement
- PLCY 381 Public Policy Internship
In order to meet the major requirements, the Public Policy internship must have a University of Redlands faculty sponsor and be approved by the Director.
Elective: Directed Study (2‐4)
- PLCY 170, PLCY 270, PLCY 370, PLCY 470
Elective: Internship (0‐4)
- PLCY 180, PLCY 280, PLCY 380, PLCY 480
Capstone Experience Requirement Options
Single majors
Public Policy majors who do not major in any other field (i.e. single majors) may either:
a) complete PLCY 495 – Public Policy Capstone, POLI 456 – Education Policy, or POLI 457 – Health Care Policy
OR
b) complete a capstone in their primary substantive field of study (e.g. POLI 495, ECON 465, EVST 475, REST 402, WGS 459, or other capstone approved by the Director)
Double majors
Public Policy majors who also major in another field (i.e. double majors) may either:
a) complete two separate capstone experiences; one in Public Policy (PLCY 495, POLI 456, or POLI 457), and one in the second major (e.g. POLI 495, ECON 465, EVST 475, REST 402, WGS 459, or another capstone experience approved by the Director)
OR
b) write a share capstone that integrates the student’s learning outcomes in both majors.
Regardless of which option is selected, the capstone must focus on a public policy issue and address all of the Public Policy major learning outcomes described in this chapter.
The Minor
Completion of the minor in Public Policy requires a minimum of 24 credits in the following policy related courses:
Core Course in Public Policy Analysis-- 1 course
- POLI 100 Introduction to Public Policy Analysis
Foundations of Public Policy Analysis-- 2 courses
- ECON 100 Economics and Society or ECON 101 Principles of Microeconomics
and
- POLI 111 Introduction to American Politics
Methods-- 1 Course
- POLI 202 Statistical Analysis and Mapping of Social Science Data
- ECON 400 Introduction to Econometrics
- EVST 110 Introduction to Spatial Analysis and GIS
- POLI 200 The Study of Politics
- MATH 111 Elementary Statistics and Probability with Applications
- PSYC 250 Statistical Methods
- SOAN 300 Research Methods in the Social Sciences
- WGS 330 Feminist Research Methods
Applied Public Policy-- 2 Courses Required
Two approved Public Policy courses
Additional Public Policy Department Information
Advanced Placement
Students receiving scores of four or above on an Advanced Placement American Government exam will be given credit for POLI 111. Students who receive a score of four or higher in macroeconomics and microeconomics exams receive 4 credits for ECON 101 Principles of Economics.
Departmental Honors
Students may apply for departmental honors in the fall of their senior year. Students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major to apply. To successfully complete the honors requirements, students must successfully defend an Honors Thesis in Public Policy. The defense committee shall be composed of at least two faculty members, one of whom shall be an advisory member in the Public Policy program.
Program Outcome
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate mastery of knowledge about public policy issues and approaches by summarizing and evaluating existing literature in the field;
- Apply a range of relevant theories, concepts, and approaches taken from the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and ethics to the critical analysis of public policy problems;
- Demonstrate knowledge about the feasibility of solving complex social problems within the context of existing political and economic institutions and processes;
- Use appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative methods to systematically analyze public policy issues; and,
- Communicate knowledge effectively through verbal and written forms.
English Language Requirements
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