Certificates in policy

Students interested in declaring a Public Policy or Health Policy certificate must first complete the Certificate Information Canvas course (link coming soon).

The Canvas course provides essential information about certificate requirements, course planning, policies, and frequently asked questions. Completing the course ensures that all students receive the same foundational information and are prepared to make informed decisions about pursuing a certificate.

Please note: Students pursuing the Public Policy major are not eligible to declare the Public Policy Certificate or the Health Policy Certificate.

Drop-in advising and email questions are designed for quick questions. Get brief questions answered by sending an email to certificate@lafollette.wisc.edu, or by attending a drop-in advising session. If a longer or more detailed conversation is needed, 20-minute individual appointments are available to answer multiple questions surrounding future-semester and internship planning.

PUB AFF 200 and PUB AFF 201 are introductory courses for our certificates. Some students also start with a course that combines policy with their major field of study via the certificate specialization course. Learn more about our courses here.

The Public Policy certificate focuses broadly on how policies are developed, implemented, and evaluated across issue areas such as education, environment, economics, and social policy.

The Health Policy certificate applies policy analysis to healthcare and public health systems, health equity, insurance, and healthcare delivery. Both certificates are designed to complement a wide range of majors across UW-Madison.

First, review Public Policy course details and subject notes in Course Search and Enroll for term-specific information. For the quickest resolution for enrollment errors, use this link.  After using the troubleshooting link, additional questions can be sent to enrollment@lafollette.wisc.edu (allow at least 24 hours to receive a response).

Our undergraduate certificates require applied experience where students can work alongside policy stakeholders in various ways. The La Follette School Career Hub is your central place for researching career paths and building the skills employers are seeking. As one of our students, you also have access to the La Follette alumni network.

Certificate students must complete a qualifying 3-credit course alongside an approved internship. The requirement can also be met through La Follette’s workshop courses or Wisconsin in Washington. This requirement provides hands-on experience applying policy concepts in a professional or academic setting. These experiences not only help build a resume but help apply academic concepts to real-world challenges.

The certificate will appear on your official transcript, but it will not appear on your diploma.

The La Follette Career Hub houses a curated list of pre-approved opportunities specifically for La Follette students. Students can find their own internship, but it must be policy-focused and approved by Marie Koko, the Director of Career and Employer Services. Here are the criteria for a policy-focused internship.

Follow these four easy steps to enroll in PA 327.

Many students studying public policy or health policy participate in study abroad programs. With advance planning, study abroad can be an excellent way to explore global policy issues, gain international experience, and stay on track with your academic goals. Meet with a study abroad advisor to identify programs that best meet your interests. Then meet with a certificate advisor early to discuss how study abroad courses or internships might fit into your academic plan. Students most often use a study abroad course to fulfill the specialization or the internship requirement.