PUBPO-BA - Public Policy (BA)

Public Policy is an interdisciplinary program connecting the theoretical and analytical tools of economics, political science, philosophy, psychology, and law with their real-world policy applications. The Public Policy undergraduate major develops the skills necessary for understanding the political constraints faced by policymakers, assessing the performance of alternative approaches to policy implementation, evaluating the effectiveness of policies, and appreciating the sharp conflicts in fundamental human values that often animate the policy debate. Students majoring in Public Policy are prepared for careers in various fields, including elected or appointed public office; business, law, and governmental agencies; research institutes; or for further study in graduate programs.

Courses in the major provide students with a background in economics and quantitative methods, political science, law, philosophy, ethics, organizational behavior, and social psychology. Economics and quantitative analyses are central to but insufficient for modern public policy analysis; political science, law, philosophy, organizational behavior, and psychology are among other necessary disciplinary perspectives. Political science offers insights into the decision-making process and information needs of a democracy. Political philosophy and ethics form the foundations of public policy. Organizational behavior focuses on the decisions made outside the market environment in hierarchies, bureaucracies, and teams. 

The major has four course elements: preparatory, core, concentration, and senior capstone. Frosh and sophomore years are generally devoted to completing introductory economics, math, and psychology courses. After completing core courses primarily during the sophomore and junior years, students apply these skills by focusing their studies on one of several areas of concentration. The areas of concentration address a specific field of public policy, various types of institutions, or a more profound development of policy analysis tools. Finally, seniors may fulfill their senior capstone requirement by participating in a practicum—a team policy research project for an outside client, typically a nonprofit or government agency—and/or successfully completing PUBLPOL 200H, the Senior Honors Thesis Seminar. 

Public Policy students are encouraged to secure a faculty advisor within the first two quarters of the major. They must secure a faculty advisor no later than the end of winter quarter of the junior year. The director, student services staff, and peer advisors can assist by suggesting suitable faculty advisors. The program director must approve advisors. 

The Public Policy program encourages students to attend the Bing Stanford in Washington Program and to participate in appropriate Stanford internship programs, especially those available through the Haas Center of Public Service and Stanford in Government.