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Evans School of Public Policy and Governance

Public Policy and Governance

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 Undergraduate Programs


Public Policy and Governance


 Program of Study: Major: Public Service and Policy


Program Overview

Public Service and Policy is an interdisciplinary major designed to bring students to a deeper understanding of their roles in public service and the creation and implementation of public policy. Learning is organized around three broad outcomes including understanding the context in which policy is created and implemented; cultivating a methodological toolkit that brings diverse evidence into public service and policymaking; and expanding communication, management, and leadership skills for public service impact. By understanding challenges and being well versed in the development of multiple, useful, and realistic solutions, graduates will contribute to the development of local, national, and global communities.

This program of study leads to the following credential:
  • Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Public Service and Policy
Recommended Preparation

Composition or writing, economics, political science, public policy, regional studies, sociology, statistics, and courses that cover the areas of inquiry.

Admission Requirements
  1. 45 college credits
  2. Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA
  3. Minimum 2.0 grade in PUBPOL 201. There is not an equivalent course for PUBPOL 201. Students who will transfer to the UW can indicate an intention to enroll in the program and be admitted with the provision that they complete PUBPOL 201 with a minimum of 2.0 grade in their first quarter.
  4. Visit school website for instructions to declare the public service and policy major

 Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Public Service and Policy


Credential Overview

Public Service and Policy is an interdisciplinary major designed to bring students to a deeper understanding of their roles in public service and the creation and implementation of public policy. Learning is organized around three broad outcomes including understanding the context in which policy is created and implemented; cultivating a methodological toolkit that brings diverse evidence into public service and policymaking; and expanding communication, management, and leadership skills for public service impact. By understanding challenges and being well versed in the development of multiple, useful, and realistic solutions, graduates will contribute to the development of local, national, and global communities.

Completion Requirements

General Education Requirements

Basic Skills

  1. English Composition (C) (5 credits; minimum 2.0 grade)
  2. Additional Writing (W) (10 credits)
  3. Reasoning (RSN) (4 or 5 credits)
  4. Diversity (DIV) (5 credits). Of Special Note: For students admitted to the University prior to autumn quarter 2023, the DIV requirement is 3 credits.
  5. Foreign Language (1st year proficiency): 0-15 credits, depending on placement or high school background

Areas of Inquiry

  1. Arts and Humanities (A&H) (10 credits)
  2. Social Sciences (SSc) (20 credits)
  3. Natural Sciences (NSc) (20 credits)
  4. Areas of Inquiry (10 additional credits from any area)
  5. Minimum 20 credits of Areas of Inquiry requirements must be outside of major requirements

Major Requirements

69-70 credits

  1. Public Service and Policy Foundation (35 credits):
    1. Public Service and Policy Context (10 credits): PUBPOL 201, either PUBPOL 313 or PUBPOL 321
    2. Methods (10 credits): PUBPOL 301 and PUBPOL 303
    3. Leadership and Management (10 credits): PUBPOL 302, either PUBPOL 402 or PUBPOL 403
    4. Application and Practice: PUBPOL 496
  2. Statistics (4-5 credits): one of QMETH 201, Q SCI 381, STAT 220, STAT 221/CS&SS 221/SOC 221, STAT 290, or STAT 311
  3. Interdisciplinary Selectives (15 credits): 100-and 200-level courses representing areas that inform public service and policy. Refer to school website for list of approved courses.
  4. Upper-Division Electives (15 credits): 300-and 400-level PUBPOL courses or non-PUBPOL courses from a list of approved courses. Refer to school website for list. Maximum 5 credits combined of public service and policy related internship (PUBPOL 497), study abroad, and research (PUBPOL 498) coursework can count toward this requirement.
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 Program of Study: Minor: Public Policy


Program Overview

The Public Policy minor, offered through the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, introduces students to the field of public policy and frameworks for addressing public challenges. Students learn the scientific methods used to make evidence-based public decisions, design effective public policy in the context of human behavior, and implement sound public policy in a complex networked environment with competing stakeholder interests. Building upon skills developed in students’ majors and other coursework, this minor will develop students’ capacities to understand complex organizations, to gain leadership skills, and to broaden understanding of the role of the nonprofit and social sectors in achieving public goals.

This program of study leads to the following credential:
  • Minor in Public Policy

 Minor in Public Policy


Completion Requirements

25 credits

  1. PUBPOL 201 (5 credits)
  2. 20 credits of 300- or 400-level PUBPOL courses, or other courses approved by the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance
  3. Minimum 15 credits taken in residence through the UW Seattle campus
  4. Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for all courses applied to the minor
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 Graduate Programs


Public Policy and Governance


 Program of Study: Doctor Of Philosophy (Public Policy And Management)


This program of study leads to the following credentials:
  • Doctor Of Philosophy (Public Policy And Management)
  • Doctor Of Philosophy (Public Policy and Management: Advanced Data Science)
  • Doctor Of Philosophy (Public Policy and Management: Data Science)
Admission Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Doctor Of Philosophy (Public Policy And Management)


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

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 Doctor Of Philosophy (Public Policy and Management: Advanced Data Science)


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

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 Doctor Of Philosophy (Public Policy and Management: Data Science)


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

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 Program of Study: Executive Master Of Public Administration


This program of study leads to the following credential:
  • Executive Master Of Public Administration (fee-based)
Admission Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Executive Master Of Public Administration (fee-based)


Completion Requirements

45 credits total


Required courses (41 credits): PA EX501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 548, 549

Electives (4 credits): Course list maintained by department

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 Program of Study: Graduate Certificate in Building Resilient Local Governments


Program Overview

Local and regional governments are essential to addressing the most pressing policy problems of our time. This eight-month program prepares leaders to build resiliency and overcome challenges unique to their local contexts. Designed for local government professionals, this program runs from January through August with flexible course schedules. Over three quarters, students will take three core courses and complete a capstone experience.

This program of study leads to the following credential:
  • Graduate Certificate in Building Resilient Local Governments (fee-based)
Admission Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Graduate Certificate in Building Resilient Local Governments (fee-based)


Credential Overview

Completion Requirements

Total credits: 15


Required courses (15 credits): PUBPOL 515, 558, 567, 617

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 Program of Study: Graduate Certificate In Leading Public Innovation


Program Overview

The Evans School’s graduate certificate in Leading Public Innovation provides practical knowledge, frameworks, and tools to public service leaders committed to improving the equity, inclusiveness, effectiveness, and efficiency of systems that deliver public programs and services.

This program of study leads to the following credential:
  • Graduate Certificate In Leading Public Innovation
Admission Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Graduate Certificate In Leading Public Innovation


Completion Requirements

Total credits: 15 


Required courses (11 credits): PUBPOL 549, 615, 616

Electives (4 credits): Any 500-level or above PUBPOL course

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 Program of Study: Graduate Certificate In Nonprofit Management


This program of study leads to the following credential:
  • Graduate Certificate In Nonprofit Management
Admission Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Graduate Certificate In Nonprofit Management


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

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 Program of Study: International Development Policy And Management Certificate


This program of study leads to the following credential:
  • Graduate Certificate In International Development Policy And Management
Admission Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Graduate Certificate In International Development Policy And Management


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

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 Program of Study: Master Of Public Administration


Program Overview

The Evans School MPA is interdisciplinary and defined by the practical application of theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges. Beyond a rigorous core curriculum and ample elective offerings, we support students through internships, capstone projects, engagement on campus and in the community to exercise new skills and learn the art of public leadership.

This program of study leads to the following credentials:
  • Master Of Public Administration
  • Master Of Public Administration (fee-based)
  • Master Of Public Administration (Global Program)
Admission Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Master Of Public Administration


Completion Requirements

72 credits

  • Core coursework (36 credits): PUBPOL 511, PUBPOL 512, PUBPOL 513, PUBPOL 516, PUBPOL 517, PUBPOL 522, PUBPOL 526, PUBPOL 527, PUBPOL 528
  • Option-specific coursework (28 credits): See additional requirements section for option-specific coursework
  • Capstone (8 credits): PUBPOL 608

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 Master Of Public Administration (fee-based)


Completion Requirements

72 credits

  • Core coursework (36 credits): PUBPOL 511, PUBPOL 512, PUBPOL 513, PUBPOL 516, PUBPOL 517, PUBPOL 522, PUBPOL 526, PUBPOL 527, PUBPOL 528
  • Option-specific coursework (28 credits): See additional requirements section for option-specific coursework
  • Capstone (8 credits): PUBPOL 608

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 Master Of Public Administration (Global Program)


Completion Requirements

72 credits

  • Core coursework (36 credits): PUBPOL 511, PUBPOL 512, PUBPOL 513, PUBPOL 516, PUBPOL 517, PUBPOL 522, PUBPOL 526, PUBPOL 527, PUBPOL 528
  • Option-specific coursework (28 credits): See additional requirements section for option-specific coursework
  • Capstone (8 credits): PUBPOL 608

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 Program of Study: Master Of Science (Public Policy And Management)


This program of study leads to the following credential:
  • Master Of Science (Public Policy And Management)
Admission Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

 Master Of Science (Public Policy And Management)


Completion Requirements

Contact department for requirements.

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