Public Policy

Public Policy majors learn how to formulate, evaluate, and promote policy options that can make a difference in their cities, nation, and the world.  The Public policy major draws from many disciplines, including law, economics, political science, sociology, history, urban studies, geography, and environmental studies. Our students learn about the public policy process and also develop substantive knowledge in policy areas such as health, education, and the environment.

The Public Policy major is in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration, which has offered nationally ranked and internationally recognized graduate programs for 40+ years. Now, those learning opportunities are available to UD undergraduates. The distinctive Delaware model of public policy education integrates academic excellence with professional experience by enabling students to work side-by side with faculty and professionals to apply learning from their classrooms to the actual policy challenges of communities and organizations.

Our faculty includes accomplished interdisciplinary scholars and teachers who also have extensive experience working with government, nonprofit community organizations and the commercial sector.

Public policy is how communities address their complex challenges in areas such as:

• health
• education
• housing
• energy
• poverty
• economic growth
• environmental sustainability

Public policy is the product of choices made by governments that drive public investments, create rules and sanctions, establish services and security, guide and regulate markets and businesses, or allocate benefits and costs to citizens. Public policy changes the world.

Public policy majors have access to learning opportunities and resources usually available only to graduate students. Undergraduate Public Policy students may be selected as Public Administration Fellows, apply to the Legislative Fellows program, work as a summer research assistant, and more!