Ramapo College offers a flexible, interdisciplinary sequence of courses, listed below, leading to a minor in Public Policy. The Public Policy minor has been designed to complement such majors as Political Science, Environmental Studies, Law and Society, Sociology, and International Studies. The minor moves the student beyond theory and into understanding the implications of political decision-making, laws, and governance.

The added focus on Public Policy turns the student’s attention to problems and solutions in the world of public events. The Public Policy minor enhances effective citizenship and analytical rigor, giving the student a concrete focus on application of principles and methods generated by the major. Students will be introduced to both qualitative and quantitative methodologies and may elect to concentrate on analytic strategies appropriate for their interests and professional goals.

Students earning the Public Policy minor often go on to graduate work, either at the Masters or Ph.D. level in the field of Public Policy. Public administration careers are available to Public Policy minors. Federal, state, and local governments employ professionals with a background in Public Policy.

Goal 1: To familiarize students with the foundations of public policy creation.

Outcome 1.1:   Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the public policy process.

Goal 2:  To familiarize students with social science methodology.

Outcome 2.1:   Students should be able to use data to evaluate public policy outcomes.

Goal 3:  To familiarize students with one specific area of public policy and its governmental regulation or bureaucracy.

Outcome 3.1:   Students should be able to articulate arguments about one arena of public policy debate.

1. Students are required to take 5 courses (i.e., 20 credits) to complete this minor.
2. At least half of the courses fulfilling a minor must not be fulfilling a requirement or elective within the student’s major. That is, three of the five courses required for this minor cannot be used towards fulfillment of major requirements–irrespective of what discipline or Convening Group offers the course. For example, a ENST major can only count two ENST courses toward the minor.
3. A School Core does not need to be completed for a minor. Minors are open to students regardless of school affiliation.

PUBLIC POLICY MINOR

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