Policy Studies

The Policy Studies major will provide you with an understanding of the public policy process through a multidisciplinary curriculum grounded in Political Science. Whether your goal is to work in government, with interest groups, businesses, or nonprofit organizations, the Policy Studies program will give you the knowledge and tools you need to succeed. 

Learn to understand the effects of policy decisions made on the federal, state and municipal levels, and by non-governmental actors, corporations and nonprofit organizations. The program will ground you in a liberal arts education, while providing you with the essential skills, knowledge and networks to embark on a rewarding career that will enable you to work within the policy-making arena to improve the lives of others. 

You will gain practical skills by studying policy issues; and develop skills in policy analysis, problem solving, data analysis, communications, policy creation and assessment. A core component of the program is a capstone internship project, which can be taken with community partners locally, or in Washington, D.C., through the Washington Center Program. By demonstrating your acquired knowledge and skills through the capstone experience, you will have solid evidence of your capabilities to provide to future employers! 

See the curriculum.