Applications to the Certificate in Public Policy are open May 1-May 31 and November 1-November 30 each year.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Public Policy allows undergraduate students to apply a policy perspective to their major course of study and bolsters their skills for success in the workforce or in their graduate school coursework. Students build a strong foundation for careers in government, nonprofit organizations, or the private sector.
The certificate program is ideal for students seeking careers related to key domestic and international issues such as health policy, criminal justice, education, energy, environmental studies, finance, transportation, and poverty. It also prepares students to be engaged citizens, ready to use their talents to improve the world around them.
More information about how to apply is below under the Applying for Admission heading. The FAQ at the bottom of the page is also a useful resource. Other questions can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Program Requirements
Students must complete 12 credits – one course in each of four foundational course categories. To earn a certificate, students must complete all requirements for a bachelor’s degree, requirements of their declared major(s), and graduate from UW–Madison. Learn more about program requirements.
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- Introductory Course: Students are encouraged to take the introductory course first, if possible.
Course focuses on how state and federal funding is spent, how public problems develop, and why programs succeed and fail. Students learn about the various approaches to policy-making, how to apply basic policy concepts to practical real-world cases, how to assess and interpret empirical analyses of policies, and much more. - Analytical Tools for Policy Design, Implementation, and Evaluation: These courses provide students with practical, analytical, and communication skills and tools utilized in public policy careers.
Students learn about policy analysis, rationales for public policy, tools for framing policy problems, and the interpreting and generating relevant informational graphics. Students with strong quantitative skills and interest may wish to take courses that develop applied skills in program evaluation and cost-benefit analysis. Others may wish to take courses that develop management, leadership, and communication skills. - Policy Specialization: These courses allow students to develop expertise in a specific area (e.g., science & technology, education, health, social policy).
Students have the opportunity to take courses offering a variety of disciplinary perspectives that demonstrate a significant amount of content related to policy design or implementation and application of analytical tools. - Field Work & Internship: Students complete a professional policy experience, usually during the summer. Internships can be paid. The Wisconsin in Washington program may be used to fulfill this requirement. The process for finding an internship and enrolling in an internship can be found here.
Students gain valuable applied experience and make professional connections in the field of public policy. They apply concepts and practice problem-solving skills from their coursework and improve their understanding of public policy debates and how to approach questions and research with a public policy lens.
Applying For Admission
The La Follette School administers an annual application process for the Certificate in Public Policy and admissions requirements are below. Applications are considered once a year and the application opens May 1 and closes May 31 each year.
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Applicants must:
- Have at least sophomore standing
- Be in good academic standing (i.e., 2.0 GPA)
- Have taken or be enrolled in at least one class that meets certificate requirements
- Write a letter of intent explaining how they envision applying public policy to the context of their major program and in their future career
- Submit their resume
Skills & Careers
Given the increasing complexity in every realm of public policy, students in the public policy certificate program gain analytical, writing, critical-thinking, and other skills that are in demand by more and more employers in almost every sector.
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With a focus on evidence-based practices, the program provides students with the skills to gather data and information from various sources, analyze and synthesize the findings, and write a clear and concise report to illustrate the main points
Students maximize their electives and earn a credential that highlights these highly sought-after skills in the context of real-world practice. These research and data analysis skills are transferrable to nearly any occupation.
This certificate program complements existing majors for students seeking careers related to domestic and international issues such as criminal justice, education, energy and the environment, finance, transportation, and poverty. It also prepares students to be engaged citizens, ready to use their talents to improve the world around them. You can also visit La Follette's career development site to learn more.
Faculty
The certificate program gives students access to the La Follette School’s award-winning faculty members. Faculty members have expertise in social policy, health policy and management, public management, policy analysis, environmental policy, poverty, and government finance. Faculty in other departments that offer policy-related classes also teach students in the certificate program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who oversees the Undergraduate Certificate in Public Policy?
Contact Mary Michaud at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions. You can also set up an advising appointment with Mary using Starfish.
How do I seek advising?
Mary Michaud serves as the academic advisor to all Certificate in Public Policy students and can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also set up an advising appointment with Mary using Starfish.
Where is the La Follette School of Public Affairs located?
The La Follette School of Public Affairs is located in the Observatory Hill Office Building, 1225 Observatory Drive, just to the east of the Washburn Observatory.
What are the requirements to apply for the certificate?
To apply for the Undergraduate Certificate in Public Policy, students must:
- Have at least sophomore standing (24 credits on their record). This can come from AP, IB, transfer credit and credit taken at UW-Madison.
- Be in good academic standing (have a 2.0 cumulative GPA)
- Have completed or be enrolled in at least one class that meets certificate requirements
- Courses that meet certificate requirements can be found here.
- Complete the online application
- Write a letter of intent explaining how they envision applying public policy to the context of their major program and in their future career
- Submit their resume
What is a letter of intent?
A letter of intent is very much like a cover letter. It follows the same format but is focused more on how the certificate will impact a student’s current academic studies and their future goals, rather than on a specific job opportunity.
Are there recommended campus resources I should use to support me with the required letter of intent and resume?
We recommend that you use the career development office affiliated with your current major. You can see which office that is by visiting this website. Most offices will have models of cover letter and resumes that you can review as you are drafting your own. Additionally, most have professionals who can review your materials in an appointment. For Letters & Science students, SuccessWorks has several resume and cover letter resources online. Another valuable resource is the Writing Center.
When is the application period for the undergraduate certificate?
Applications are considered twice a year, May 1-May 31 and November 1-November 30. Applications are completed via a Qualtrics Form which can be found at the top of this webpage from May 1-May 31 and November 1-November 30.
Where can I find the application for the undergraduate certificate?
The application will be available on La Follette’s website starting May 1.
Can I take certificate courses even if I have not declared the certificate?
Yes. We encourage students to take courses to explore any of the four required areas of the certificate, and we require that students who apply for the certificate either are enrolled or have completed a minimum of one of the course options found on the Complete List of Required and Elective Courses for the Certificate in Public Policy.
What are the certificate requirements?
Students must complete 12 credits – one course in each of four foundational course categories. To earn a certificate, students must complete all requirements for a bachelor’s degree, requirements of their declared major(s), and graduate from UW–Madison. You can find a complete list of required and elective eourses for the Certificate in Public Policy here.
- Introductory Course: Students are encouraged to take one of the two introductory course options first, if possible. These courses focus on how state and federal funding is spent, how public problems develop, and why programs succeed and fail. Students learn about the various approaches to policy-making, how to apply basic policy concepts to practical real-world cases, how to assess and interpret empirical analyses of policies, and much more.
- Analytical Tools for Policy Design, Implementation, and Evaluation: These courses provide students with practical, analytical, and communication skills and tools utilized in public policy careers. Students learn about policy analysis, rationales for public policy, tools for framing policy problems, and the interpreting and generating relevant informational graphics. Students with strong quantitative skills and interest may wish to take courses that develop applied skills in program evaluation and cost-benefit analysis. Others may wish to take courses that develop management, leadership, and communication skills.
- Policy Specialization: These courses allow students to develop expertise in a specific area (e.g., science & technology, education, health, social policy). Students have the opportunity to take courses offering a variety of disciplinary perspectives that demonstrate a significant amount of content related to policy design or implementation and application of analytical tools.
- Field Work & Internship: Students complete a professional policy experience, usually during the summer. The Wisconsin in Washington program may be used to fulfill this requirement. Students gain valuable applied experience and make professional connections in the field of public policy. They apply concepts and practice problem-solving skills from their coursework and improve their understanding of public policy debates and how to approach questions and research with a public policy lens.
Are any courses cross-listed with other departments?
Currently, US Environmental Policy & Regulation (Envir St 439/Geog 439) and Government and Natural Resources (Envir St 449/Poli Sci 449) are the only two cross-listed courses.
Can I complete requirements for the certificate within 12 months after graduation?
No, students should not extend their time at UW-Madison in order to complete the certificate.
When I apply to graduate, will my Certificate appear in the list of programs I am completing?
No, unlike majors, the Certificate will not appear in the list of credentials when applying to graduate through the Registrar’s Office. According to the Registrar, “The ‘apply for graduation’ action doesn’t give you an immediate check that your degree requirements have been met: it notifies your school/college of your intention. Some schools/colleges may send email communications to students who have not completed requirements, but this practice varies across campus.” The La Follette School will receive a list and verify with the Registrar that requirements are met.
What is the fieldwork/internship component and why is it required?
This is the last requirement to complete the Certificate in Public Policy. Students find a policy related internship and complete it along with an internship course at UW-Madison. Courses that satisfy this requirement include:
- Public Affairs 327: Administrative Internship
- Wisconsin in Washington Internship program
- Political Science 315: Legislative Internship
Students gain valuable applied experience and make professional connections in the field of public policy. They apply concepts and practice problem-solving skills from their coursework and improve their understanding of public policy debates and how to approach questions and research with a public policy lens.
How do I find an internship?
For students in the College of Letters and Science, SuccessWorks is a valuable resource to help you find an internship. For current Certificate in Public Policy students, Marie Koko can offer advising on how to find an internship or career in public policy
Inter-LS 210 and Inter-LS 215 are sophomore career courses that provide you with the skills to find an internship. Inter-LS 210 is offered for 1 credit, while Inter-LS 215 is offered for 3 credits and also satisfies your Comm B requirement. Neither course satisfies any requirements for the Certificate in Public Policy.
UW-Madison also offers help to students looking for an internship.
Will we allow students to substitute another internship course to satisfy our internship requirement?
If you wish to substitute an internship course, students should complete the Petition for Special Consideration form.
What is the process for getting a course considered for a substitution?
Course substitutions to the curriculum will be kept to a minimum. To request a substitution, students should complete the Petition for Special Consideration form.
Are all certificate courses offered every semester?
No. Students should consult the Enroll App to see courses will be offered each semester.
Am I required to take a certain number of Public Affairs courses to earn the certificate?
Students should complete at least two courses offered by the La Follette School of Public Affairs to satisfy certificate completion requirements.
What grades must I earn in certificate courses for them to count toward certificate requirements?
Students must earn a minimum 2.0 GPA for each portion of the required certificate coursework.
Are any courses taught online?
La Follette does not currently offer any online courses but other departments may offer online courses that meet certificate requirements.
Can courses taken for the Certificate in Public Policy count toward my major and degree requirements?
Courses completed for the Certificate in Public Policy can count toward degree requirements. Please speak with your assigned undergraduate academic advisor/s to learn if they can count toward undergraduate major requirements.
