š We're Here to Assist You
Public Policy
Create solutions that become public policy
In the public policy program you’ll learn the foundations of basic policy theory and research methods. As a public policy major, you’ll also examine how public policy is formulated, implemented, and evaluated over time, while you explore notions of agenda-setting and framing of issues that lead to a problem gaining the attention of the government.
Public Policy majors take courses dealing with public policy theories, processes, methods of public policy analysis, and important environmental and urban policy issues. Under the guidance of a public policy professor, you’ll choose a public policy problem to analyze in-depth for your capstone course.
Chicago, one of the most dynamic political scenes in the United States, offers many opportunities for you to become involved in politics and policy, non-profit organizations and advocacy organizations.
Classes
Coursework
- Public Policy and Urban Issues
- Public Policy and Environmental Issues
- Public Policy Research Methods
- Quantitative Public Policy Analysis
- Applied Urban and Environmental Economics
- Public Policy and the Political Process
- Implementation of Environmental and Urban Policy
- Statistics
Resources
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- International business
- Lobbying
- Urban development
- Environmental preservation/conservation work
- Transportation planning and development
- Legislation work/reform
- Law
- Human rights
91%
of Interdisciplinary Program graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation.
Major Requirements
Course Requirements
Core
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PPS 101 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY | 4 |
| PPS 205 | PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS | 4 |
| PPS 300 | APPLIED URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS | 4 |
| PPS 301 | PUBLIC POLICY AND POLITICS | 4 |
| PPS 336 | QUANTITATIVE PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS | 4 |
Elective PPS Courses
Students choose eight elective courses (thirty-two credit hours) from the list below. Of those thirty-two credit hours, five courses (twenty credit hours) are required at the 300 level. Up to eight credit hours (two courses) may come from Approved Courses outside of PPS. PPS courses not listed here can be substituted with the consent of an advisor (PPSAdvising@depaul.edu).
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PUBLIC POLICY AND URBAN ISSUES | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE | ||
| ISSUES IN NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT | ||
| URBAN POVERTY | ||
| CITIES, GLOBALIZATION AND PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND POLICY | ||
| PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| FUNDRAISING FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT | ||
| STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING | ||
| SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT | ||
| NATIONAL PARKS POLICY AND GOVERNANCE | ||
| GREEN CITIES | ||
| SUSTAINABLE LAND REVITALIZATION AND BROWNFIELDS DEVELOPMENT POLICY | ||
| ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING | ||
| ISSUES IN URBAN REDEVELOPMENT | ||
| THE POLICY AND POLITICS OF URBAN HOUSING | ||
| ISSUES IN URBAN EDUCATIONAL POLICY | ||
| INEQUALITY AND PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN NONPROFIT STUDIES | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC POLICY STUDIES | ||
| GREAT LAKES GOVERNANCE POLICY AND MANAGEMENT | ||
| PUBLIC SPACES AND SOCIAL CONTROL | ||
| ENERGY POLICY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
| URBAN RESILIENCE AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION POLICY | ||
| CAPSTONE: GENTRIFICATION 1 | ||
| CAPSTONE: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 1 | ||
| INTERNSHIP |
1
If not taken as the PPS Capstone requirement/LSP Senior Year Capstone requirement.
Approved Courses outside of PPS
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHILD AND FAMILY IN THE URBAN COMMUNITY | ||
| IMPACT OF PUBLIC POLICY ON FAMILIES OF YOUNG CHILDREN | ||
| SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES FOR ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
| DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS | ||
| ECONOMICS OF LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES | ||
| URBANIZATION | ||
| COMPARATIVE URBANISM | ||
| GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS II: COMMUNITY GIS | ||
| GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE | ||
| SUSTAINABLE URBAN TRANSPORTATION | ||
| TOPICS IN DEVELOPMENT STUDIES | ||
| TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS | ||
| THE POLITICS OF EDUCATION | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | ||
| REAL ESTATE ANALYSIS | ||
| POLICING THE MARGINS | ||
| GLOBAL CITIES | ||
| CRIMINALIZATION, PUNISHMENT, & RESISTANCE | ||
| GENDER, CRIME AND JUSTICE | ||
| SEMINAR IN SOCIOLOGY | ||
| RELIGION AND POLITICS IN THE UNITED STATES | ||
| HEALTH CARE POLICY IN THE UNITED STATES |
Open Electives
Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours.
