Information about a proposed undergraduate major in public policy.
About the major
The La Follette School is in the process of proposing UW-Madison’s first undergraduate major in public policy. We are seeking approval to offer this new degree program to meet the growing demand of students who seek careers in public service. This program is only in the proposal stage and has not been approved; there is no guarantee it will be approved or offered. Below is an update on this process.
Timeline
When might a major be approved?
In spring 2024, the Universities of Wisconsin approved an initial proposal to begin developing a formal proposal for a major in public policy.
You can learn more about the Universities of Wisconsin approval process for new academic programs. In the meantime, you can also view La Follette courses available to students across the UW–Madison campus.
When would a major be available to students?
At this point, we cannot predict whether or with accuracy when a major might be approved.
Courses
What courses can I take if I am interested in studying public policy?
We recommend that students explore completing the certificate in public policy or the certificate in health policy. If you choose to pursue the certificate in public policy, we recommend taking PA 200 Contemporary Issues in Public Policy. We also recommend choosing Public Affairs 380 as your analytic tools course. Both of these courses fulfill certificate requirements.
What other courses might be useful?
Students interested more generally in the field of public policy, or those who are interested in graduate studies in public affairs, will also want to consider taking the following courses. These courses (or their equivalents) are not required for the certificate but are excellent preparation for working in the field of public policy.
- Political Science 104 Introduction to American Government
- Economics 101 Microeconomics
- Statistics or math course, such as:
- PSYCH 210 Basic Statistics for Psychology
- MATH 211 Survey of Calculus
- MATH 221 Calculus and Analytic Geometry 1
- MATH 222 Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2
- Statistics 301 Introduction to Statistical Methods
- SOC/C&E SOC 360 Statistics for Sociologists I
If you are particularly interested in graduate studies in international public affairs, consider taking Economics 102 Principles of Macroeconomics and Political Science 120 Introduction to Comparative Politics or Political Science 140 Introduction to International Relations. Consider taking at least three semesters of non-English language study, which might be replaced with one or more years of living in a country where English is not the dominant language.
Contact
For additional questions about the proposed new undergraduate major in public policy or our existing programs, please contact Undergraduate Advisor Kelly Otto at kelly.otto@lafollette.wisc.edu.