Undergraduate Major & Minor
Public Policy
ABOUT | SAS & SEBS STUDENTS | TRANSFER STUDENTS | MAJOR | MINOR | JOINT DEGREES | CAREERS
B.S. in Public Policy
The major in public policy (833, 833D) prepares students for 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.
Learning Outcomes
The following learning outcomes reflect our program-wide objectives in public policy, which are
reflected in our required core coursework.
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science with a major in Public Policy, our students will be able to:
- Articulate and apply a public service perspective;
- Understand theories on public policy formation and implementation, including how policies
address various contemporary public problems; - Understand the need for inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in public service and policy;
- Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems & make decisions;
- Understand academic theories and best practices on public or non-profit management and
leadership; and, - Apply leadership and teamwork skills to professional settings across sectors.
Public Policy Curriculum
833 curriculum sheet | 833D curriculum sheet (Before Summer 2023)
833 curriculum sheet | 833D curriculum sheet (Summer 2023 to Spring 2024)
833 curriculum sheet | 833D curriculum sheet (Spring 2024 and later)
833 Suggested Course Sequence (Spring 2024 and later)
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Prospective Students
If you would like to schedule a virtual pre-advising appointment, please complete the Prospective Student Inquiry Form.
Don’t want an appointment but need answers? Contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu
for assistance.
Declared Students
To request an advising appointment, please contact undergrad@ejb.rutgers.edu.
Undergraduate Student & Academic Services
Christina Torian
Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education
Advisor for Prospective Students
Natashia James
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Student Services
Advises Direct Admit Students and all Student-Athletes
Email undegrad@ejb.rutgers.edu
Student Counselor, Undergraduate Student Services
Advises Declared Joint-Degree Students Last Names M-Z
Jessica Reyes
Student Counselor, Undergraduate Student Services
Advises Declared Joint-Degree Students Last Names A-L and all Military-Affiliated students
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 is effective as of spring 2024. Students who declared at the end of spring 2024 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)
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. 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.
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 (53 cr)
*Effective Spring 2024*
Core (29 cr)
- 775:205 Basic Statistics or equivalent (3-4)
- 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 (24 cr) – At least 12 credits (4 electives) must be in 833. Up to two courses (6 credits) may be taken from other Bloustein School departments. Up to two courses (6 credits) may be taken outside the Bloustein School
833: Public Policy Minor (18 cr)
Effective Spring 2024
This minor is well-matched to majors in criminal justice; economics; labor studies & employment relations; political science; sociology; women’s & gender studies; as well as the pre-law track.
Students seeking the public policy minor must complete one core course and five elective courses.
- 10:833:102 Introduction to Public Policy (3)
or 10:833:210 Principles of Public Policy (3) - Five electives selected from all the undergraduate Bloustein courses that are open to non-majors. At least four of the five must be 300 or 400-level.
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
The major in public policy 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.