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Saint Joseph's University
  • We Are Hawks
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Public Policy

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Overview

The public policy degree program at Saint Joseph's University prepares you for a future career in public policy. You will gain important critical-thinking skills through an inclusive and diverse community lens to help populations that are often marginalized in the policymaking process. The interdisciplinary coursework focuses on theory, analysis and application of policy to prepare you for a future career or graduate work.

What is Public Policy?

Public policy is often defined as the course of action created by a government, in response to 'real world' problems impacting the public. In other words, the work of creating rules, laws and regulations. In your studies, you will not only investigate policy itself, but also the relationships among all of the entities that have a voice in the policymaking process. You will study theories to support your public policy analysis skills. You will also apply policy analysis in economics, political science and sociology classes and assess the impact of policy on individuals, businesses, and society.

Ways to Study Public Policy

This program is available as a major and a minor. Many students often decide to double major or add minors to their studies. Some common additional areas of study that students interested in public policy also pursue include:

  • Economics
  • Political Science
  • Communications
  • International Relations
  • Sociology
  • Criminal Justice

The public policy minor is designed to provide students with a firm understanding of policy from several viewpoints, including political science, public administration, sociology, economics, and international relations.

4+1 B.A./M.S. program in Public Policy

Saint Joseph University's combined B.A./M.S. program in public policy offers students an exciting and challenging curriculum of study. The program allows students to engage in an in-depth study of public policy while providing opportunities for research with nationally renowned faculty in economics, political science and sociology in a public policy graduate program. Starting your senior year, you'll take courses that will help fulfill a master's. You'll graduate with two degrees - a bachelor's degree and a master's in public policy - in just five years total.

This unique program is available to current students majoring in public policy. This program is also available to those majoring in economics, sociology, criminal justice, political science or international relations with a minor in public policy.

What Can You Do with A Degree in Public Policy?

Students who study public policy at Saint Joseph's University are well-prepared for any public policy career including political positions in local, state or federal legislator, non-political options within the government sector, or nonprofit. Graduates often obtain public policy jobs like:

  • Public policy analyst
  • Public relations specialist
  • Legal analyst
  • Advancement manager in nonprofits

How Will A Public Policy Degree from Saint Joseph's University Prepare You for Your Future Career?

With a public policy degree, you will be prepared for a successful career and to be an engaged citizen. You will obtain the critical thinking, communication and leadership skills necessary to understand and shape public policy. The curriculum covers many disciplines and offers experiential learning opportunities for hands-on learning. By studying public policy at a Jesuit university, you will also develop ethical decision-making skills. This will help you develop and promote policies to will elevate those most marginalized in society.

A Philadelphia university, Saint Joseph's offers internships that connect you to the real-life experiences of city government, nonprofits and more. Public policy majors take part in a wide variety of career-enhancing opportunities including The Washington Center, The Saint Joseph’s Summer Scholars Program, the Brussel Study Abroad program and other service-learning experiences.

Course Catalog
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Laura Crispin, Ph.D, Program Director
610-660-1594
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    Study Options

      • Undergraduate

    Department

      • Interdisciplinary College of Arts and Sciences

    School

      • College of Arts and Sciences

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