Thank you for expressing an interest in creating your own focus area to satisfy the Public Policy major elective (4+ courses totaling 12+ credits) requirement.

As a quick reminder, Public Policy majors are NOT required to have a focus area; many of our students choose to instead take four policy electives that do not constitute any particular focused area or interest. However, many of our majors do decide to complete one of our pre-approved focus areas (Global Action & Problem Solving, Nonprofit Leadership & Social Innovation, Public Leadership, or Sustainability). Still others (perhaps like you) choose to create their own focus area.

You may include courses that you have already taken, are currently taking, or plan to take in the future. Listing courses outside of the School of Public Policy (PLCY) that you have yet to complete is permissible, but be sure you can justify how these courses are directly related to policy (not just a social or cultural background course).

Please fill out the proceeding form and you will get a response from one of our academic advisors with approval of your focus area or any follow up questions. Please email your assigned advisor with any questions.

*Please note that the University Policy states that only six credits (two courses) of overlap are permitted between courses from a minor that are being used towards your major.