B.A. in Planning and Public Policy

The Planning and Public Policy major (762, 762D) provides students with a foundation in areas such as city dynamics, environmental aspects of cities, community health, urban poverty, public policy, housing issues, social concerns, fiscal matters, and land use planning. Students are prepared for entry-level professional management and planning positions focused on overseeing and improving public programs, such as transportation, housing, planning, the environment, finance, economic development, and urban renewal. These career paths can be found in business, government, education, banking, and nonprofit settings. This program also prepares students for graduate education in public administration, public policy, and urban planning.

762 curriculum sheet | 762D curriculum sheet

Download the Planning and Public Policy Learning Goals

Planning and Public Policy Suggested Course Sequence

SAS and SEBS Students (762)

Students in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) and students in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS) who wish to remain in their primary unit must apply for admission prior to declaring the major.

SAS students may pursue Planning and Public Policy as their first major and remain within SAS. SEBS students may pursue Planning and Public Policy as a second major in order to remain within SEBS. SAS and SEBS students can apply for the Planning and Public Policy major during one of our application cycles listed here. Applicants must have a minimum grade of “C” or better in each of the prerequisite courses and be in good academic standing. Contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu for more information.

Students are advised to declare the Planning and Public Policy major no later than their first semester of junior year to ensure completion of the major by their anticipated graduation date. A minor program is required for this major.

Only courses with a “C” or better may be counted towards the major, and students must complete the Core Curriculum requirements of their primary school.

Prerequisites (9-10 cr)

  • 355:101 Expository Writing (3)
  • 775:205 Basic Statistical Methods (3-4) or equivalent (see approved equivalent statistics courses in Degree Navigator)
  • 220:102 Intro to Microeconomics (3) or 11:373:121 Principles & Applications of Microeconomics (3)
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Transfer (Direct Admit) Students (762D)

Transfer students seeking the Planning and Public Policy major must have at least 30 credits before applying to the Bloustein School. Successful applicants will have completed the prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better, and have achieved an overall GPA of at least 2.50.

Current Rutgers students seeking a school-to-school transfer from another Rutgers unit, or students transferring to Rutgers from another college or university, must apply via the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. For a school-to-school transfer apply here. If you are transferring from outside of Rutgers, apply here. Contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu for more information.

This program is designed to accommodate the needs of transfer, adult, and nontraditional students. For admissions requirements and academic policies, please visit https://bloustein.rutgers.edu/undergraduate/nts/

Transfer students from New Jersey community colleges are encouraged to complete lower-division prerequisite courses and the associate’s degree in order to benefit from the NJ Statewide Transfer Agreement.

Only courses with a “C” or better may be counted towards program requirements. Also, a minor program is required for this major. Upon completing the major, a minor, all General Education requirements, and a minimum of 30 credits at Rutgers (12 within the Bloustein School) with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA, the student will receive the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the Bloustein School.

Contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu for more information.

Prerequisites (9-10 cr)

  • Expository Writing (3)
  • A 200-level or higher statistics course (3-4)
  • Intro to Microeconomics (3)

Planning and Public Policy (762) Major Requirements (37 cr)

Core (16 cr)

  • One of the following (3):
    • 220:103 Intro to Macroeconomics (3)
    • 790:104 American Government (3)
  • One of the following intensive writing courses (3):
    • 762:300 Writing for Professionals (3)
    • 355:302 Scientific and Technical Writing (3)
    • 355:303 Writing for Business and the Professions (3)
    • 355:315 Writing Grant Proposals (3)
  • 775:395 Research Methods (4) – Prerequisites: Open to majors only; 775:205 or equivalent statistics
  • *762:400 Internship with Seminar (3) – Prerequisite: Research Methods 775:395; open to majors only
  • *762:499 Senior Seminar (3) – Open to majors with at least 100 credits and no outstanding core requirements.

* Students seeking to replace 762:400 and 762:499 with 762:497, 498 Bloustein Honors Research (3, 3) should contact their advisor.

Required Electives: 21 credits of electives with course code 762, 15 credits of which must be at the 300-level or higher.

Students interested in select career paths should consider clustering their electives and seek advising early in their program of studies.

Planning and Public Policy Certificate Programs

The Bloustein School offers a variety of Planning and Public Policy certificates. The certificates are open to students in any major and to post baccalaureate students with degrees in any discipline. Awarded certificates appear on the student’s final transcript.

Undergraduate students are restricted to courses at the 300 and 400 levels. Post baccalaureate students may select courses from any level. Students must declare their intention to pursue a certificate program with the Bloustein School prior to their last semester of study in order to qualify to receive a certificate.

Certificates are awarded only with, or subsequent to receiving a bachelor’s degree. Awarded certificates appear on the student’s final transcript.

Contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu for more information.

Joint BA or BS/MCRP Program

Exceptional, well-prepared students from any Rutgers-New Brunswick matriculating unit who wish to study urban planning are encouraged to seek advising about the Joint BA or BS / MCRP Program.

Careers

To learn about opportunities for majors in Planning and Public Policy, click here.