The La Follette School’s certificate programs in public policy and health policy continue to thrive, with increased interest and enrollment reflecting the rising demand for policy education at UW–Madison and around the country. In December, 20 students graduated with certificates—12 in public policy and 8 in health policy.
Last fall, 144 new students enrolled in the undergraduate certificate programs, including 86 in public policy and 57 in health policy, with some students pursuing both. These additions bring the enrollment in the certificate programs to 532. Notably, since fall 2023, the public policy certificate saw an increase of 100 enrollments, while the health policy certificate grew by 108.
Since their establishment in 2019 and 2021, the public policy and health policy certificate programs have equipped students with critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills. The public policy certificate integrates a policy-oriented approach to students’ primary fields of study, preparing them for impactful careers in sectors like government, nonprofits, and the private sector. Similarly, the health policy certificate provides students with the tools to analyze and shape health policy at both state and national levels, enhancing their readiness for diverse professional pathways.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, a record 939 students enrolled in La Follette’s undergraduate courses, reflecting the school’s expanding influence on campus. To meet the growing interest in policy education, the La Follette School is in the process of proposing a new undergraduate Major in Public Policy, which would allow the school to offer students a more comprehensive and structured opportunity to engage with policy studies.