Public Policy, Minor
Many of the most important and impactful decisions about science, health, technology and business take place in the arena of public policy. Both in the public and private sectors, knowledge of how public policy works and an ability to communicate in the language of policy analysis are highly valued. Perhaps more importantly, many of the most important societal dilemmas––problems like climate change, societal aging, migration and infectious diseases that cut to the core of what it means to care for our common world––demand the kind of engaged problem solving that is consistent with Marquette’s Jesuit mission.
Students completing the minor in public policy develop their critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as detailed knowledge of public policies and the policymaking process. Students learn to think critically about public policies using a range of social scientific skills, to design policies in a way that maximizes their efficacy and to write and communicate clearly about important policy issues. Finally, the program fosters a public-service perspective on decision-making, prompting students to weigh alternative courses of action in terms of responsibility, fairness and equity.
The minor requires 18 credits of course work, including 9 credits of foundational courses in American or comparative politics, statistics, and policy analysis and 9 credits of elective courses focused on specific areas of public policy.