BSPP specialization in Rural Policy:

I. Public Policy Core (26 credits)
  1. PPOL 201: Introduction to Public Policy (4)
  2. PS 331: State and Local Politics (4)
  3. PPOL 371: Public Policy Problems (4)
  4. PPOL 372: Public Administration (4)
  5. PPOL 413: Ethics in Public Policy (4)
  6. PPOL 415: Professional Development Seminar (2)
  7. ECON 435: Public Economics (4) (Prereq: ECON 311 or 411)
    or PS 458: International Political Economy (4)
    or SOC 360: Populations Trends and Policy (4)
II. Methods and WIC (8 credits)
  1. PPOL 421: Introduction to Policy Research (4)
  2. PPOL 422: Policy Analysis (WIC) (4)
III.      Rural Policy Specialization Electives (18-20 credits)

Select 18-20 credits from the pre-approved list below. At least 14 credits must be in courses from the School of Public Policy.

  • AEC 388: Agricultural Law (4) e
  • AEC 421: Economics of Rural Poverty and the US Social Safety Net (4) e
  • AEC 454: Rural Development Economics and Policy (3) e
  • ANTH 466: Rural Anthropology (4) e
  • ANTH 481: Natural Resources & Community Values (3) e
  • ECON 352: Environmental Economics and Policy (3) e (Prereq: ECON 201 or AEC 250)
  • ECON 455: Economic Development (4) (Prereqs: ECON 201 & ECON 202)
  • FES 485: Consensus and Natural Resources (3) e
  • PPOL 410: Internship/Work Experience (1 - 4)
  • PPOL 447: Integrated Policy: Food, Energy, Water, Climate (4)
  • PS 470: Global Food Politics and Policy (4) e
  • PS 475: Environmental Politics and Policy (4) e
  • SOC 381: Social Dimensions of Sustainability (4) e
  • SOC 475: Rural Sociology (4)
  • SOC 480: Environmental Sociology (4) e
  • SOC 481: Society and Natural Resources (4) e

“e” denotes courses offered online as well as on campus

IV. Learning Beyond the Major

Opportunities to put learning into practice are built into the BSPP curriculum. However, in seeking to maximize your educational experience, there are other opportunities students might consider. Internships, jobs, and volunteer work can broaden students’ understanding of how public policy is developed, applied, and/or experienced in the field. A minor or second major can allow a student to develop deeper content knowledge in the policy areas that interest them most. Study abroad programs deepen cross-cultural understanding and expose you to different systems and policymaking approaches. Consult with one of the BSPP advisors about complementing your major with the options that best fit your interests and goals.