Orientation

The public policy track is organized following an interdisciplinary, comparative approach to the study of public policy-making — the problems, players, and policy. The focus is on providing skills to define, measure, evaluate, and research policy problems. Students are encouraged to intern with one of the policy-making organizations in Washington, D.C., in their effort to develop, evaluate, and implement solutions to public issues.

 

Program Organization and Curriculum

Students are encouraged to meet with the departmental advisor to discuss their academic and professional interest and tailor a program of study that they should pursue as upperclassmen. Electives that satisfy the concentration requirement must be confirmed with the advisor. Some electives include, but are not limited to:

  • SOC 109 Health and Society
  • SOC 206 Families and Society
  • SOC 310 Police, Law and Society
  • SOC 325 Public Policy and Healthcare
  • SOC 330 Work in the 21st Century: Career and Identity in the New Economy
  • SOC 343 Religion and Mental Health in Global Perspective
  • SOC 351 Inequality: The Intersection of Race, Class, and Gender
  • SOC 353 Social Inequalities in Health
  • SOC 361 Migration and Immigrant Communities 

Internships

Federal

DC Government

International Development

Non-Governmental