The Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance educates current and future leaders and generates knowledge to co-create solutions to pressing societal problems. The Evans School's expertise can be seen in practice throughout government, nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, and the private sector. Our academic programs extend from an undergraduate minor and major, master's programs, graduate certificates, and a doctoral program, serving students across a wide spectrum of professional interests and at different stages in their educational and professional journeys.
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
45 college credits
Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA
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.
Visit school website for instructions to declare the public service and policy major
Continuation Policy
All students must make satisfactory academic progress in the major. Failure to do so results in major-level academic notification, major-level warning, and major-level alerts, which can lead to dismissal from the major and being precluded from subsequently declaring the major in a future quarter. For the complete continuation policy, contact the departmental adviser or refer to the department website.
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
English Composition (C) (5 credits; minimum 2.0 grade)
Additional Writing (W) (10 credits)
Reasoning (RSN) (4 or 5 credits)
Diversity (DIV) (5 credits). Of Special Note: For students admitted to the University prior to autumn quarter 2023, the DIV requirement is 3 credits.
Foreign Language (1st year proficiency): 0-15 credits, depending on placement or high school background
Areas of Inquiry
Arts and Humanities (A&H) (10 credits)
Social Sciences (SSc) (20 credits)
Natural Sciences (NSc) (20 credits)
Areas of Inquiry (10 additional credits from any area)
Minimum 20 credits of Areas of Inquiry requirements must be outside of major requirements
Major Requirements
69-70 credits
Public Service and Policy Foundation (35 credits):
Public Service and Policy Context (10 credits): PUBPOL 201, either PUBPOL 313 or PUBPOL 321
Methods (10 credits): PUBPOL 301 and PUBPOL 303
Leadership and Management (10 credits): PUBPOL 302, either PUBPOL 402 or PUBPOL 403
Application and Practice: PUBPOL 496
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
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.
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.
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
PUBPOL 201 (5 credits)
20 credits of 300- or 400-level PUBPOL courses, or other courses approved by the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance
Minimum 15 credits taken in residence through the UW Seattle campus
Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for all courses applied to the minor
Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: Students will be able to understand the context in which policy is created and implemented; cultivate a methodological toolkit that brings evidence into policy making; expand their communication, management, and leadership to be of public service; and apply knowledge and conceptual understanding to real-world problems and authentic situations.
Instructional and Research Facilities: Evans School Policy Analysis and Research Group, Evans Policy Innovation Collaborative, Center on Risk and Inclusion in Food Systems, International Program in Public Health Leadership, William D. Ruckelshaus Center
Honors Options Available: See adviser for details
Research, Internships, and Service Learning: Experiential learning is available through community-engaged learning courses, internships, research, and real-world problem-solving activities throughout policy lab. See adviser for details.
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)
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:
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: