The University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts 25 courses 19 total credits
This program focuses on how change happens: how did a journalist’s inquiry into the effects of agricultural chemicals give rise to the environmental movement; how did a black woman’s refusal to yield her bus seat to a white man galvanize the civil rights movement; how did a diplomat’s cable about Russian history give rise to the policy of containment? Students will learn about the policy-making process, beginning with the point at which someone senses a problem or an opportunity and begins to press the matter. They will then walk through the processes by which that sense of a problem is turned into a public policy issue through research, mobilization, the engagement of political leaders, and in some instances, the passage and implementation of new policy. This program will be beneficial to students who aspire to positions in policy-relevant institutions such as government agencies, legislative offices, think tanks, and advocacy groups. The program also will help students who plan to pursue careers in business, where success often depends on understanding how government works. Requirements are listed in the table below. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum. Students should also review the University's Undergraduate Minor and Certificate Requirements and Policies.
| Undergraduate Minor and Certificate Requirements and Policies | credits |
Hours chosen from: Forum Seminars
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BDP 101.9 | Introduction to Public Policy | 1-3 |
Hours chosen from: Public Policy Foundatio
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOV 358 | Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| GOV 370P | Policy-Making Process | 3 |
| P A 301 | Foundations of Public Affairs | 3 |
| Total | 3 credits | |
Communication Policy- Policy Emphasis
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CMS 345G | Communicating to Government | 3 |
Communication Policy- Contexts
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J 301F | Fundamental Issues in Journalism | 3 |
Community and Urban Policy- Policy Emphasis
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| S W 323K | Social Welfare Programs, Policies, and Issues | 3 |
Community and Urban Policy- Contexts
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOV 370U | Urban Politics | 3 |
Economic Policy- Policy Emphasis
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BGS 375 | Business and Policy in the Age of Inequality |
Economic Policy- Contexts
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECO 301 | Introduction to Economics | 3 |
Education Policy- Policy Emphasis
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDC 312 | Foundations of United States Schooling | 3 |
Education Policy- Contexts
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 307J | Education and Society | 3 |
Foreign Policy and Global Development- Policy Emphasis
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOV 355M | Topics in Political Science | 3 |
Foreign Policy and Global Development- Contexts
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOV 360F | Global Governance | 3 |
Health Policy- Policy Emphasis
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| H S 330 | Health Care Policy in the United States | 3 |
Health Policy- Contexts
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PBH 338 | Environmental Health | 3 |
Political Institutions, Structures, and Processes- Policy Emphasis
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOV 371I | The United States Congress | 3 |
Political Institutions, Structures, and Processes- Contexts
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOV 330K | The American President | 3 |
Race, Immigration, and Citizenship- Policy Emphasis
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFR 360L | Race and United States Social Policy | 3 |
Race, Immigration, and Citizenship- Contexts
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CMS 367I | Topics in Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
Science and Technology Policy- Policy Emphasis
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| C S 349 | Contemporary Issues in Computer Science | 3 |
Science and Technology Policy- Contexts
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIS 350R.7 | Environmental History of North America | 3 |
Approved Hours chosen from: Research or internship Connecting Experiences (see advisor)
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BDP 320K | Connecting Research Experience | |
| BDP 320L | Connecting Research Experience | 3 |
| BDP 325K | Connecting Internship Experience | |
| Total | 6 credits | |
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