Policy Studies, BA

Contact

Peter Wilcoxen
Director, Policy Studies Program
225 Eggers Hall
315-443-2348
Email: wilcoxen@syr.edu

Faculty

Richard Barton, Robert Bifulco, John Cawley, Renée de Nevers, Jay Golden, Janire Pasqual-Gonzalez, Sarah Hamersma, Colleen Heflin, Catherine Herrold, Johannes Himmelreich, Yilin Hou, Zachary Huitink, Lionel C. Johnson, Minjung Kim, Jun Li, Leonard M. Lopoo, Jiahuan Lu, John McPeak, Robert B. Murrett, Tina Nabatchi, Tomás Olivier, Kristen Patel, Bryant Parmeter, David Popp, Jack Reilly, Michah W. Rothbart, Ying Shi, Saba Siddiki, Michiko Ueda-Ballmer, David M. Van Slyke, Emily Wiemers, Peter Wilcoxen, Michael J. Williams

Program Description

The major introduces students to historical, social, economic, and political factors shaping contemporary public policy issues. Students develop an expertise in a public policy area of their choice that provides a broad range of scholarly perspectives.

Students also acquire practical skills by studying policy issues through coursework in the Policy Studies Program, other departments in the Maxwell School and in the College of Arts and Sciences, Sport and Human Dynamics, Management, School of Education, Visual and Performing Arts and Newhouse. Students develop skills in social science research, computer applications, data collection and analysis, written and oral communications, interpersonal relations, planning, management, and problem solving. These skills are needed to obtain desirable entry-level positions in business, government, and the non-profit sector. They also serve as excellent preparation for admission to leading law schools and graduate programs in public policy, business, health administration, and other fields. The skills are also essential for participating effectively as a citizen in today’s world.

Several of the required major courses involve internships and policy-related field work. An integral part of the policy studies major is the completion of a research project for a government agency or community organization. This study is frequently used by graduates to display their talents to prospective employers and graduate schools. An internship is also required in which students work in a government agency, non-profit organization, or business in Syracuse, Washington, DC, or elsewhere. Students complete no less than 6 and as many as 15 credits in community-based coursework.

Students take 70 percent of their coursework in a core that develops basic skills and covers essential concepts. The other 30 percent of coursework is a series of electives chosen by students to fit their policy interests.

Student Learning Outcomes

Apply problem-solving techniques to ameliorate societal problems
Describe how public policy is implemented
Collect information in a variety of ways
Use computer programs to analyze quantitative data
Communicate effectively in verbal and written modes
Demonstrate ability to work effectively on team projects
Explain the causes and policies of societal problems in at least one area

Major Requirements

Students are required to take a 22-credit core and a 9-credits of electives numbered 300 or above.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Core Requirements
PST 101	An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy	3
PST 110	Public Service Practicum	1
MAX 123	Critical Issues for the United States	3
MAX 201	Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences	3
ECN 101	Introductory Microeconomics	3
or PAI 320	Economics for Policy Analysis
PAI 305	Policy Implementation	3
PST 315	Methods of Public Policy Analysis and Presentation	3
PST 410	Practicum in Public Policy	3
Electives
Three elective courses numbered 300 or above from the following list of department prefixes. At least one of the three must be a PST or PAI course not numbered 470 or 490. Courses from the following prefixes are accepted for the other two electives: AAS, ANT, ECN, ESP, GEO, HST, IRP, PSC, SOC, MAX, WRT, COM, CRS, EEE, FST, HSH, IST, LPP, NSD, PHP, SAL SWK, WGS.		9
Distinction in Policy Studies
Students completing the requirements below are eligible to graduate with Distinction in Policy Studies:
1. Policy Studies major or dual major;
2. Overall GPA of 3.50 or better by the end of the semester prior to graduation;
3. Complete PAI 495 Advanced Policy Research;
4. Complete a thesis approved by a committee composed of a thesis supervisor and a second reader, at least one of whom must be in the Department of Public Administration and International Affairs.
The program is open to students who meet the requirements above whether or not they are in the University-wide Renée Crown Honors Program. Students in the Renée Crown program may use a single thesis for both it and the departmental distinction program as long as the thesis meets the requirements for both programs.
Total Credits		31

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

For all Arts and Sciences|Maxwell students, successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in this major requires a minimum of 120 credits, 96 of which must be Arts and Sciences|Maxwell credits, completion of the Liberal Arts Core requirements, and the requirements for this major (30 credits) that are listed above.

Dual Enrollments:

Students dually enrolled in Newhouse* and Arts and Sciences|Maxwell will complete a minimum of 122 credits, with at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences|Maxwell coursework and an Arts and Sciences|Maxwell major.

*Students dually enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences|Maxwell as first year students must complete the Liberal Arts Core. Students who transfer to the dual program after their first year as singly enrolled students in the Newhouse School will satisfy general requirements for the dual degree program by completing the Newhouse Core Requirements.

Undergraduate University Requirements

The following requirements and experiences apply to all Syracuse University Undergraduate matriculated degree programs.

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