Department of Public Policy

Program Faculty and Fields of Interest

Clyde W Barrow Massachusetts public policy, policy formation, gaming policy, regional economic development

Michael D Goodman (Chairperson) economic development, demographic analysis, housing policy

Chad McGuire environmental law and policy

Shawna E Sweeney women’s public policy issues, human rights policy, globalization policies

Faculty with Joint Appointments (Primary Departments)

Devon Lynch (Economics) applied microeconomics, particularly in the field of public and labor economics, with a research focus on enterprise zone programs

Affiliated Faculty (Department)

Susan Krumholz (Sociology/Anthropology/Crime and Justice Studies) women & social policy, criminal justice policy

Robin A Robinson (Sociology/Anthropology/Crime and Justice Studies) social welfare policy, women & social policy, mental health policy, female crime and deviance

Gail Russell (Nursing) health policy

Susanne G Scott (Associate Dean, Charlton College of Business) individual, group, and organizational identity; project team effectiveness workplace justice

The minor in Public Policy allows undergraduates to obtain a specialized professional minor embedded within a liberal arts curriculum. The minor consists of a sequenced set of courses that provide students with a knowledge of the public policy discipline, theories and models of policy formation, policy implementation processes, applied policy research and in-depth substantive knowledge of one or more policy areas. The program emphasizes the development of policy analysis and research skills with a particular focus on policy issues that concern state, regional and municipal officials in Massachusetts and New England. The program’s faculty is highly respected for its interdisciplinary skills in policy analysis, public management and program evaluation, as well as their substantive expertise in several areas of public policy. The program’s faculty routinely serve as consultants to federal, state and local governments; non-profit organizations; school departments and private businesses.

The program requires all minors to take an internship, which is designed to advance the public and private sector career opportunities of students in all disciplines. A minor in Public Policy can be an exciting complement to the career aspirations of students majoring in any of the social sciences, business management and marketing, human resources, civil engineering or areas of science that touch on public policy issues. A Public Policy minor is also useful to students interested in career tracks in policy analysis, program evaluation and project management positions in government and non-profit organizations; or private sector employment in government relations, public affairs, survey or policy research organizations; and provides a special distinction in graduate school or law school admission.

Through its links to the Center for Policy Analysis, the Public Policy Minor offers students the opportunity to develop applied research and policy analysis skills by participating in funded research projects as interns or research assistants. The Center for Policy Analysis also co-sponsors an annual public policy lecture series and awards competitive scholarships for minors in Public Policy.

The Department also offers a graduate program in Public Policy leading to the Masters of Public Policy degree.

Multidisciplinary Studies

Although there is no Public Policy major as such, students in the College of Arts and Science may design an individualized course of study through the Multidisciplinary Studies major (requirements are described elsewhere in the catalogue). Students who wish to build their major around Public Policy should contact the Director of the Public Policy Program.

Distribution Credit for Public Policy Courses

Students who are not pursuing minors in Public Policy may take individual Public Policy courses to satisfy distribution requirements. Public Policy courses satisfy social science distribution requirements and general elective requirements. Public Policy courses that are cross-listed with departments also satisfy requirements in the department with which they are cross-listed.

Advising

Students who minor in Public Policy are expected to work closely with a program faculty advisor, who will be assigned to that student for the duration of his or her academic career. Students in the minor program will be required to consult with their advisor each semester to identity required courses and to insure their timely and sequential progress through the minor. The advisor will also help students identify courses in cognate departments that support and strengthen the individual student’s interest in a substantive policy area (e.g., labor relations, economic development, environmental policy, education policy).