The BSPP Advantage

The public policy major draws from multiple disciplines to critically examine how policy is shaped by and responds to the confluence of economic, political and social forces. The primary focus of the public policy major is to teach you how to identify, investigate, and propose policy solutions for the complex issues challenging communities today. In contrast, political science primarily focuses on political systems, institutions, and how people interact with them.

Your major shapes the lens through which you view the world and approach problem-solving. An interdisciplinary major actively trains you to use multiple lenses, separately and together, giving you a nuanced and flexible approach to understanding and addressing the different angles of an issue. It can broaden the questions you choose to ask and the perspectives you think to consider.

Flexibility

You can complete the entire BSPP online, on campus, or as a hybrid of both. While Ecampus does not offer every elective accepted by each major specialization, there are sufficient online offerings for you to complete whichever specialization interests you without ever coming to campus. You are welcome to complete the major as a part time student. You will work with the BSPP advisor to create a course plan that will insure you take required courses in the terms that they are available.

To declare the BSPP, make an appointment with one of the public policy advisors.  You can choose to meet with them either in-person or online.

Frequently Asked Questions

The BSPP prepares graduates for a broad spectrum of high-impact careers in the government, nonprofit and private sectors. These include policy analysis, criminal justice, social services administration, management consulting, environmental advocacy, and much more. Our BSPP advisor can advise you on exploring different career areas and how to position yourself to pursue the jobs that fit your interests, needs, and skills. 

The BSPP offers the opportunity to complete a practicum devised to give you experiences and skills that are valuable to employers.  Although highly encouraged, the practicum is not required. You can complete an internship, work experience, volunteer work, a research paper, a project, or possibly something else. Your practicum experience may be a continuation of something you’re already engaged in or an opportunity to start something new. Its purpose is for you to gain experiences connected to public service and policy so that you can build your professional portfolio and be a competitive applicant in the job market.  Please meet with one of our BSPP advisors to learn more and plan for your professional growth.