The Policy Studies program examines how decisions are made and how they affect government policies at the international, federal, state, and local levels, as well as in private business and nonprofit organizations. We also look at the policymaking process, the resulting impact, and how, in general, policies affect people's lives. The major introduces students to historical, social, economic, and political factors shaping contemporary policy issues. Students develop an expertise in a policy area of their choice that provides a broad range of scholarly perspectives. Requirements are also listed in the course catalog.
Students are required to take a 21-credit course core and a 9-credits of electives numbered 300 or above.
MAX 123: Critical Issues for the United States
ECN 101: Introductory Microeconomics
The Policy Studies Minor provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding problems confronting our society. The minor in policy studies consists of 18 credits, of which at least 12 credits must be in courses 300 and above. We strongly recommend that you try to fit the major into your academic plans rather than the minor.
The following courses are required:
The remaining 9 credits are taken from courses numbered 300 or above. The eligible courses are available each semester on the Policy Studies Course Selection Guide.
A minor in policy studies is granted after all coursework has been completed. A Petition to the Faculty form should be written listing completed courses that count towards the minor. If you are undecided between the minor and the major, contact Professor Wilcoxen at wilcoxen@syr.edu or Michelle Walker at mawalker@syr.edu or come to Eggers 225 to make an appointment. Once you have decided on the minor, Michelle Walker will be your advisor.
>> Read descriptions for these and other courses offered to policy studies students. |
Policy Studies is an interdisciplinary major that requires 10 courses with six core courses and four courses completed in your chosen topical specialization.
Topical Specializations
The Policy Studies Minor provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding problems confronting our society. The minor in policy studies consists of 18 credits, of which at least 12 credits must be in courses above 299. We strongly recommend that you try to fit the major into your academic plans rather than the minor.
The following courses are required:
The remaining 9 credits are taken from courses numbered 300 or above within one of the following specializations:
The eligible courses within each specialization are available each semester on the 2022 FALL POLICY STUDIES COURSE SELECTION GUIDE.
A minor in policy studies is granted after all coursework has been completed. A Petition to the Faculty form should be written listing completed courses that count towards the minor. If you are undecided between the minor and the major, contact Professor Wilcoxen wilcoxen@syr.edu or Michelle Walker at mawalker@syr.edu or come to Eggers 225 to make an appointment. Once you have decided on the minor, Michelle Walker will be your advisor.
>> Visit the Course Catalog for more information on the requirements for a major in Policy Studies or minor in Policy Studies.
I am so grateful for the policy studies program, it really shaped my college experience. Between the skills I acquired and the opportunities it provided, it definitely helped get me to where I am.
Lauren Rowell, '17 PST Geospatial Intelligence International Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START)
Employers of Policy Studies alumni include:
Graduates with a degree in Policy Studies have been admitted to several prestigious law schools, including Harvard University; Columbia University; the University of California at Berkeley; the University of Michigan; and Georgetown University, and top graduate programs such as the Maxwell School’s MPA program, New York University, John Hopkins School of Public Health, Princeton University, Harvard University, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and Duke University.
Many of our alumni go to graduate school after working for a few years after completing their undergraduate studies, then they attend prestigious graduate and law schools, frequently receiving financial help from their employer.
Of the 18 Syracuse students to win a prestigious Truman Scholarship, which awards $30,000 for graduate school, 14 have been Policy Studies majors.
Teach for America (TFA) accepts between three and seven majors every year. More than 30% of all TFA Syracuse students are Policy Studies majors.
On average, five out of the 35 Remembrance Scholars per year are Policy Studies majors.