B.S. in Public Policy

The major in public policy (833, 833D) prepares students for entry-level jobs in government, politics and public affairs within the public, non-profit, or private sectors, or for graduate education in law, politics, public administration, public affairs, and public policy.

The major introduces students to the use of analytical techniques to better understand public problems and evaluate alternative solutions to those problems. Examples of such problems include income inequality, the cost of health care, climate change, and the lack of an immigration policy.

833 curriculum sheet | 833D curriculum sheet

833 curriculum sheet | 833D curriculum sheet (Summer 2023 and later)

Download the Public Policy Learning Outcomes

Public Policy Suggested Course Sequence

Public Policy Suggested Course Sequence (Summer 2023 and later)

SAS and SEBS Students (833)

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 Public Policy as their first major and remain within SAS. SEBS students may pursue Public Policy as a second major in order to remain within SEBS. SAS and SEBS students can apply for the Public Policy major during one of our application cycles listed here. Contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu for more information.

Applicants must have achieved a minimum grade of “C” or better in each of the pre-requisite courses and be in good academic standing.

Students are advised to declare the Public Policy major no later than their first semester of junior year to ensure completion of the major by their anticipated graduation date.

Only courses with “C” or better may be counted towards the major, and students must complete the Core Curriculum requirements of their primary school. The degree is awarded jointly by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and the School of Arts and Sciences.

The Public Policy major and minor were updated during the spring 2023 term. The curriculum below will be effective starting summer 2023. Students declaring at the end of  spring 2023 and onward will follow the new requirements. Students who completed the previous prerequisites (American Government, microeconomics, and statistics) may count those courses towards the major electives.

Prerequisites (3 cr) *Effective Summer 2023*

  • 355:101 Expository Writing (3)
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Transfer (Direct Admit) Students (833D)

Transfer students seeking the 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.

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

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

Only courses with “C” or better may be counted towards program requirements. Upon completing the major, 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 Science (BS) degree from the Bloustein School.

Prerequisites (3 cr) *Effective for Spring 2024 admission*

  • Expository Writing (3)

Public Policy (833 and 833D) Major Requirements (52 cr) *Effective Summer 2023*

Core (25 cr)

  • 833:210 Principles of Public Policy (3)
  • 833:215 Writing, Reasoning and Public Policy (3)
  • 833:220 Public Economic Policy (3)
  • One of the following (3):
    • 843:360 Principles of Public Management
    • 833:361 Managing People and Organizations
    • 833:362 Non-Profit Management
  • 775:395 Research Methods (4) – Prerequisite: Open to majors only; 775:205 or equivalent statistics
  • 775:450 Leadership Seminar (3) – Open to majors only; min. 85 credits; Pre or Co-requisite Research Methods (10:775:395)
  • *775:499 Professional Practice Internship (6) – Prerequisites: 775:395 Research Methods and 775:450 Leadership Seminar; open to majors only

*Students with a minimum 3.4 cumulative GPA may replace 775:499 with 10:833:495, 496 Public Policy Honors Thesis I and II (3, 3). Students seeking to replace 775:499 with Bloustein Honors Research (3, 3) should contact their advisor.

Electives (27 cr) – up to 3 elective courses may be taken outside the Bloustein School

Joint BA or BS/ MPP Program

Exceptional, well-prepared students who wish to pursue graduate studies in Public Policy are encouraged to seek advising about the 3-1-1 master of public policy (MPP) program.

Careers

To learn about opportunies for majors in Public Policy, click here.