Nineteen UW–Madison students made history May 9 as the first to complete the La Follette School’s Undergraduate Certificate in Public Policy program. Two of them will continue their studies in the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program this fall.

Due to exceptionally high interest in its Undergraduate Certificate in Public Policy program, the La Follette School will offer seven undergraduate classes in fall 2020 – the most in School history.

La Follette School Working Paper No. 2006-030

La Follette School Working Paper No. 2006-031

UW–Madison’s Center for Demography of Health and Aging (CDHA) received renewal of its funding via the National Institute of Health’s prestigious P30 grant. La Follette School Professor Jason Fletcher serves as CDHA director.

Associate Professor of Public Affairs and Economics
Faculty Affiliate, Institute for Research on Poverty

What a difference a year has made – 10 exceptional faculty, 19 outstanding certificate program graduates, 350 dedicated health policy leaders, three enthusiastic staff, and so much more. Simply put, the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW–Madison is experiencing the most extensive growth in its 37-year history. 

The La Follette School of Public Affairs and Department of Political Science at UW–Madison along with the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) are hosting a series of Real Town Hall events in preparation for the 2018 midterm elections.  

The La Follette School of Public Affairs held its annual Visit Day for prospective graduate students March 23. With COVID-19 interrupting the typical semester at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, this became a virtual visit day with 35 to 45 admitted applicants in attendance.

Economic inequality has increased significantly in recent decades. In this course we explore the impact of public policies and programs on the distribution of income, wealth and opportunity in the United States with a particular focus on inequalities across racial and ethnic groups. The course begins with an introduction to key concepts in the measurement of inequality and poverty and an overview of recent trends within and between groups. We then turn to systematically analyze how public policy shapes inequality across a range of topical areas including labor markets, education, taxation, health, housing and criminal justice. The course will also include a critical examination of the role of race in shaping public opinion and public policymaking from key historical moments to the present.

Learn more about the Undergraduate Certificate in Public Policy