The certificate in Public Policy complements majors across campus and extends the La Follette School of Public Affairs’ mission to training and mentoring the next generation of leaders in their careers and communities. 

The certificate program allows undergraduate students to apply a policy perspective to their major course of study and bolsters their skills for success in the workforce or in their graduate school coursework. Students build a strong foundation for careers in government, nonprofit organizations, or the private sector.

The certificate in Public Policy is ideal for students seeking careers related to key domestic and international issues such as criminal justice, education, energy, environmental studies, finance, transportation, and poverty. It also prepares students to be engaged citizens, ready to use their talents to improve the world around them.

How to Get in

To declare the certificate in public policy through the La Follette School of Public Affairs, students must:

• Hold UW-Madison sophomore standing or above, and be in good academic standing, according to the rules of your school or college
• Have taken, are enrolled, or are registered for at least one class that meets certificate requirements

​Each year, the La Follette School invites students to declare the certificate in public policy. To declare the certificate:

• Review certificate requirements so that you are familiar with the program
• Declare the certificate 

Requirements

Residence & Quality of Work

• At least 6 credits must be completed in residence
• Minimum 2.000 GPA on all certificate courses

¹

Courses taken Pass/Fail do not meet certificate requirements or calculate in the GPA.

 Certificate Completion Requirement

This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate understanding of major current and past public policy debates, and how to approach questions and research with a public policy lens.
2. Students will gain knowledge and demonstrate application of methodological tools utilized in the public policy arena (e.g., policy memo writing, policy analysis, experience working with administrative data, program evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, performance management).
3. Students will demonstrate understanding and application of knowledge regarding the substantive policy area of interest of their choice (e.g., education, health, social, environmental, science).
4. Students will gain practical professional experience in a public policy work setting.

Advising and Careers

Declare or Cancel This Major

Please follow the process described on the La Follette School of Public Affairs website.

Looking for Advising?

Please visit our undergraduate advising page to connect with our team.

Skills and Careers

Given the increasing complexity in every realm of public policy, students in the undergraduate certificate in public policy program gain skills in quantitative analysis, communication, writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving that are in demand by more and more employers in almost every sector.

The certificate program focuses on evidence-based practices and provides students with the skills to gather data and information from various sources, analyze and synthesize the findings, and write a clear and concise report to illustrate the main points.

With the focus on evidence-based practices, the public policy certificate program provides research and data analysis skills that are transferrable to nearly any occupation. Students maximize their electives and earn a credential that highlights these highly sought-after skills in the context of real-world practice.

Career development is an integral part of the La Follette School experience, with staff members and alumni eager to support and mentor students with diverse interests. Students benefit from networking opportunities, employer visits, professional development seminars, and other services.

SuccessWorks

SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.

Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.

• What you can do with your major  (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
• Make a career advising appointment
• Learn about internships and internship funding
• Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students