The Public Service and Policy Major works well with a wide range of interests. Many students pair it with Political Science, Environmental Studies, Economics, Business, Sociology, Geography, International Studies, Public Health, Communication, and other majors.
Not sure exactly where your career is headed? This major gives you practical skills that apply across sectors and creates a strong foundation for graduate study if that’s part of your future.
Interested in exploring the field without declaring the major? The Minor in Public Policy is another great way to get started.
In this major, you’ll learn how to:
- Analyze public problems using qualitative and quantitative evidence.
- Understand how policies move from ideas to implementation.
- Write and communicate clearly for different audiences.
- Lead projects and work effectively on teams.
- Collaborate across organizations and communities.
- Make thoughtful, evidence-informed decisions.
These are skills you can take into government, nonprofits, education, healthcare, philanthropy, advocacy, and many other fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before declaring the Public Service and Policy Major, explore any of the following first- and second-year courses: Composition or writing, economics, leadership, political science, public policy, regional studies, sociology, statistics, and courses that cover the areas of inquiry. You can learn more by joining an information session.
Current UW students who meet the declaration requirements are welcome to apply. If you’re planning to transfer or apply to UW, connect with us early so we can help you plan your next steps.
Public Service and Policy is a minimum requirement major. All students complete the following to declare the major:
- 45 college credits with a min 2.0 GPA
- 2.00 in PUBPOL 201 Intro to Public Policy & Governance
Intentions to join the major are reviewed quarterly to confirm minimum requirements are met and to ensure the degree can be completed within the University’s satisfactory progress policies. Because of when courses are offered, it is not possible to expedite time to graduation, which typically takes six quarters. Transfer applicants to the UW can declare an intention to join the major and be admitted with the provision they complete PUBPOL 201 with min 2.0 in their first quarter.
Complete the Declare the Major form and upload your transcripts. While the form to declare the major is always available, invitations to join the major are made once per quarter following the third Friday. Students are notified two to three weeks following the third Friday.
- Entry to the major is for the quarter immediately following the quarter the Declare the Major form is submitted.
- Transfer applicants to the UW can declare an intention to join the major and be admitted provisionally to the major assuming they receive an offer from the UW.
Absolutely! The Public Service and Policy Major is designed to complement many fields of study, making it a great option for students with a wide range of interests.
Yes. Many students use this major as a foundation for graduate study in public policy, public administration, law, public health, urban planning, nonprofit management, international affairs, social sciences, and related fields.
The Public Service and Policy Major prepares you to understand how policy is created, implemented, and evaluated while building practical skills you can use throughout your career. You’ll learn how to analyze complex problems, work with data and multiple forms of evidence, communicate with diverse stakeholders, manage projects and resources, and lead with integrity.
Just as importantly, you’ll develop a broad understanding of how public service works across local, state, national, and international settings. Whether you’re interested in government, nonprofits, healthcare, education, philanthropy, or mission-driven organizations, you’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex challenges, develop practical solutions, and create meaningful public impact.
Courses
This list includes the undergraduate courses offered during this academic year. While every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate and up to date, it is subject to change.
Autumn 2025
- PUBPOL 201 Introduction to Public Policy and Governance (5)
- PUBPOL 301 Truth, Evidence, and Public Policy Analytics (5)
- PUBPOL 313 Evidence-Based Policy Implementation (5)
- PUBPOL 392 Health Equity & Policy (5)
- PUBPOL 400 Public Policy and Governance Seminar (1)
- PUBPOL 403 Leadership in Action (5)
- PUBPOL 407 Negotiation Skills and Strategies for the Public Sector (5)
- PUBPOL 481 Data Science, Economy, and Policy (5)
- PUBPOL 497 Undergrad Internship (1-5)
- PUBPOL 498 Undergrad Research (1-5)
- PUBPOL 499 Topics: Development Management and Governance (5)
- PUBPOL 499 Topics: Legislative Relations (5)
- PUBPOL 499 Topics: Climate Change and Energy Policy (5)
- PUBPOL 499 Topics: Local Government Management (5)
- PUBPOL 499 Topics: Natural Resource Policy (5)
Winter 2026
- PUBPOL 201 Introduction to Public Policy and Governance (5)
- PUBPOL 303 Methods of Policy Inquiry (5)
- PUBPOL 350 Intro to Nonprofits and Philanthropy (5)
- PUBPOL 391 Education and Workforce Policy (5)
- PUBPOL 499 Topics: Local Gov’t Management (5)
- PUBPOL 499 Topics: Advocacy (5)
- PUBPOL 499 Topics: Natural Resources (5)
Spring 2026
- PUBPOL 201 Introduction to Public Policy and Governance (5)
- PUBPOL 302 Public Service Leadership (5)
- PUBPOL 303 Methods of Policy Inquiry (5)
- PUBPOL 321 Decision Making, Behavior, and Policy Design (5)
- PUBPOL 390 Environmental Policy (5)
- PUBPOL 400 Public Policy and Governance Seminar (1)
- PUBPOL 402 Ethics, Leadership, and Policy Implementation (5)
- PUBPOL 403 Leadership in Action (5)
- PUBPOL 480 Geographic Information Systems for Public Policy (5)
- PUBPOL 497 Undergrad Internship (1-5)
- PUBPOL 498 Undergrad Research (1-5)
Summer 2026
- PUBPOL 201 Introduction to Public Policy and Governance (5)
- PUBPOL 497 Undergrad Internship (1-5)
- PUBPOL 498 Undergrad Research (1-5)