Students majoring in Public Policy study how governments, institutions, and communities identify problems, weigh evidence, and make decisions that affect lives. You ask questions like:
- What makes a policy effective?
- Who benefits, and who doesn’t?
- How can we use data, dialogue, and diverse perspectives to build better solutions?
Through interdisciplinary coursework and hands-on learning, you develop skills in policy analysis, strategic communication, civil discourse, and evidence-based decision-making.
Whether you’re passionate about climate justice, education reform, health equity, or economic development, public policy gives you a framework to understand complex systems and a pathway to lead within them. Public policy classes can enrich and complement any field of study on campus. The work is exciting and transformative—connecting classroom learning to real-world impact through internships, case studies, and collaborative projects.
You explore issues beyond the headlines and soundbites, engaging with data, theory, and the lived experience of stakeholders. You are challenged to think critically and act ethically to address contradictory interests and ambiguity. Through this major you develop the skills to analyze tradeoffs, anticipate unintended consequences, and lead change.
How to Get in
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are eligible to declare. For information on how to declare, visit Advising & Careers. |
| Courses required to get in | Complete one Core Course: |
| GPA requirements to get in | Earn a 2.000 GPA on all coursework counting in the major, plus any of the following preparatory courses completed prior to declaration:
Earn a 2.000 GPA on any upper-level coursework in the major completed prior to declaration. |
| Credits required to get in | None. |
| Other | None. |
Students declared in the Public Policy certificate or the Health Policy certificate may not be declared in the Public Policy major at the same time. Students who do wish to declare this major must first cancel their declaration in the certificate.
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
College of Letters & Science Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. Some courses satisfy more than one L&S degree requirement (visit College of Letters & Science: Requirements for details).
This major can be paired with either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree requirements.
Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements
| Communication | Complete both:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning | Complete both:
|
| Ethnic Studies | one 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation |
| Language | the third unit of a language other than English |
| Mathematics | Complete two courses of 3+ credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level in MATH, COMP SCI, or STAT subjects. A maximum of one course in each of COMP SCI and STAT subjects counts toward this requirement. |
| L&S Breadth: Humanities | Complete 12 credits with the Humanities or Literature designation, which must include at least 6 credits with the Literature designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Social Sciences | Complete 12 credits with the Social Science designation. |
| L&S Breadth: Natural Sciences | Complete 12 credits, which must include both:
|
| Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) Coursework | at least 108 credits |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level |
| Major | Declare and complete at least one major. |
| Total Credits | at least 120 credits |
| UW-Madison Experience |
|
| Quality of Work |
|
Non–L&S students pursuing an L&S major
Non–L&S students who have permission from their School/College to pursue an additional major within L&S only need to fulfill the major requirements. They do not need to complete the L&S Degree Requirements above.
Requirements for the Major
Students must complete 30 credits from the list below:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses (complete all) | ||
| PUB AFFR 200 | Contemporary Public Policy Issues | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 230 | Advancing Public Policy in a Divided America | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 335 | Policy Actors, Institutions, and the Policy Process | 3 |
| PUB AFFR 340 | Intermediate Evidence-Based Policymaking and Communication | 3 |
| or PUB AFFR 240 | Evidence-Based Policy Making | |
| PUB AFFR 380 | Analytic Tools for Public Policy | 3 |
| Internship Course (complete at least 3 credits) | 3 | |
| Administrative Internship | ||
| Workshop in Public Policy | ||
| Workshop in Health Policy | ||
| Internship in the Liberal Arts and Sciences | ||
| Study Abroad: International Internship or Research in the Sciences | ||
| Legislative Internship | ||
| Policy Electives | 12 | |
| Strategic Public Management | ||
| U.S. Environmental Politics and Public Policy | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Inequality, Race and Public Policy | ||
| Policy, Privacy, and Personal Identity in the Postgenomics Era | ||
| American Indian Communities: Sovereignty, Struggles, and Successes | ||
| Civil Society and Community Leadership | ||
| The Human Rights of Children and Youth: Global and Local Perspectives | ||
| Design & Write Grant Proposals | ||
| Consumer Policy Analysis | ||
| Economics of Poverty and Inequality | ||
| Urban and Regional Economics | ||
| The Financial System | ||
| Behavioral Economics | ||
| Insuring Life's Risks: Health, Aging, and Policy | ||
| The Economics of Health Care | ||
| Issues in International Macroeconomics | ||
| School and Society | ||
| Climate Change, Sustainability, and Education | ||
| History of American Education | ||
| Education in Emergencies | ||
| Immigration, Education, and Equity | ||
| Urban School Policy | ||
| Introduction to Debates in Higher Education Policy | ||
| Law and Public Education | ||
| Gender and Education | ||
| Education Policy and Practice | ||
| Language Politics and Education | ||
| Rhetoric, Science, and Public Engagement | ||
| Climate Change Governance | ||
| US Environmental Policy and Regulation | ||
| Sustainability Science, Technology and Policy | ||
| Government and Natural Resources | ||
| Natural Resources Policy | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Business, Government and NGOs | ||
| International Migration, Health, and Human Rights | ||
| A Family Perspective in Policymaking | ||
| American Foreign Relations, 1901 to the Present | ||
| Data Storytelling with Visualization | ||
| Data and Algorithms: Ethics and Policy | ||
| Human Factors in Information Security | ||
| Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients | ||
| Introduction to Cyberlaw | ||
| Chinese Politics | ||
| The European Union: Politics and Political Economy | ||
| Theories of International Security | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| State Government and Public Policy | ||
| Politics of Gender and Women's Rights in the Middle East | ||
| Psychology, Law, and Social Policy | ||
| Poverty and Social Welfare | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Residence & Quality of Work
- Minimum 2.000 GPA in all PUB AFFR and major courses
- Minimum 2.000 GPA on at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major, in residence*
- Minimum 15 credits in PUB AFFR courses taken on the UW-Madison campus
*Upper-level course work is defined as all Intermediate and Advanced courses in the major and electives
Learning Outcomes
- Apply theoretical and empirical frameworks from economics, political science, sociology, public administration, public management, and organizational behavior to analyze public policy issues, using evidence to inform recommendations and policy decisions.
- Identify interests and roles of governmental and non-governmental institutions and other actors in the policy making process.
- Practice key principles of policy analysis, public administration, public management, and organizational behavior in addressing complex problems in the public interest.
- Critically evaluate quantitative and qualitative research, identify its strengths and limitations, and highlight its implications for public policy.
- Write and communicate clearly and effectively about public policy problems and solutions, using evidence-based strategies to address diverse sets of stakeholders.
- Work and learn collaboratively across disciplines, effectively anticipating, learning from, and navigating issues where opinions, values, and perspectives often differ or conflict.
- Serve as skilled leaders across sectors, focused on improving and infusing evidence into decisions regarding public policy.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests. In addition, many students have commitments (e.g., athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, work and volunteer experiences) that necessitate they adjust their plans accordingly. Informed students engage in their own unique Wisconsin Experience by consulting their academic advisors, Guide, DARS, and Course Search & Enroll for assistance making and adjusting their plan.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| POLI SCI 104 | 3-4 | PUB AFFR 200 | 3 |
| Biological Science Breadth | 3 | Ethnic Studies | 3 |
| Communication A | 3 | Language Requirement | 4 |
| Language Requirement (if needed) | 4 | Quantitative Reasoning A | 4 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PUB AFFR 230 | 3 | PUB AFFR 335 | 3 |
| ECON 101 or A A E 101 | 4 | STAT 240, ECON 310, POLI SCI 270, PSYCH 210, SOC 360, STAT 301, STAT 324, or STAT 371 | 4 |
| Literature Breadth | 3 | Humanities Breadth | 3 |
| Physical Science Breadth | 3 | Literature Breadth | 3 |
| Humanities Breadth | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PUB AFFR 340 or 240 | 3 | PUB AFFR 380 | 3 |
| BS Mathematics | 3 | Policy Electives | 3 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | Science Breadth | 3 |
| Electives (Intermediate or Advanced) | 6 | Elective (Intermediate or Advanced) | 6 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PUB AFFR 327, 369, 360, INTER-LS 260, INTL ST 523, POLI SCI 315, or POLI SCI 402 | 3 | Policy Elective (Intermediate or Advanced) | 6 |
| Communication B | 3 | Electives (Intermediate or Advanced) | 9 |
| Policy Elective (Intermediate or Advanced) | 3 | ||
| Elective (Intermediate or Advanced) | 6 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Advising and Careers
Declare or cancel this major
Please follow the process described on the Public Policy website. We occasionally host group and individual info sessions for students considering the major.
Advising
Students interested in this major have dedicated guidance from our full-time undergraduate advisors. Flexible advising sessions are conveniently available through the Starfish system, accommodating various time zones and student schedules to ensure every student receives the personalized support they need: Undergraduate Advising and FAQs.
Meeting with your academic advisor is a cornerstone of your success at UW–Madison. Advising is a place to get personalized guidance to make sense of your academic path, avoid hidden pitfalls and chart a plan that actually fits who you are and where you want to go. Advisors help students create a plan to complete more than one major or certificate. They also share information about course content, campus well-being resources, and more.
Careers
The La Follette School offers expert support and resources to help students transform their knowledge and skills into success in navigating the internship requirement and the competitive employment market. Students who major in Public Policy enter a wide variety of careers in government agencies, NGOs, consulting, advocacy/government affairs, and business—and many continue to graduate programs in Public Affairs, International Public Affairs, or law school. Students can find support for internship options, employment preparation, and valuable networking resources on our career page. Students can also view this online guide to explore Careers in Public Administration and Policy. Current students are welcome and encouraged to contact our Career Development and Internship Office: careerdev@lafollette.wisc.edu.
Internships
The La Follette School offers a Handshake Collection of pre-approved internships for current students who have declared the Public Policy major.
Study Abroad
Learning in Letters & Science emphasizes discovery, growth, understanding different perspectives, and challenging yourself, which makes studying abroad an excellent fit for many L&S students: studyabroad.wisc.edu
As a university with global influence, we have more than 300 study abroad programs in over 80 countries. These vary in length, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and level of independence. There are many programs to complement every major and any year of college (including the final semester)—and all meet UW–Madison’s high academic standards. Students admitted into Letters & Science can even choose a short program in the summer before they start college or their whole first year: studyabroad.wisc.edu/launch. Talk with your academic advisor about how studying abroad might fit with your academic plan.
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
Resources and Scholarships
Wisconsin Scholarship Hub
This is the primary portal for applicants, current students, and everyone looking for scholarship opportunities on campus.
Undergraduate Academic Awards Office
We help UW–Madison undergraduates and recent graduates pursue nationally competitive scholarships and campus-wide awards for research, service, and leadership:
- Find scholarship opportunities that match your goals and interests
- Navigate the scholarship application process
- Review scholarship essays
- Prepare for national scholarship interviews
Contact the Undergraduate Academic Awards Office to schedule an appointment to discuss which opportunities are right for you.