Public Policy Minor
What is a public policy minor?
Public policy is the study of how governments and organizations identify problems, weight potential solutions, and turn decisions into action. A public policy minor gives students the tools to understand and influence that process, from how a policy gets written, to how it's implemented, to how its impact gets measured.
At Duquesne, the Public Policy minor is open to students in any major, with no prerequisites required. While it's housed in the Department of Political Science, the 18-credit program is built for students across the university, including those in liberal arts, social science, and professional programs.
The minor is intentionally interdisciplinary. Coursework blends liberal arts thinking with professional preparation. Students complete core courses in public policy and American government, then choose electives across policy focus areas, communication, and research methods, pairing academic study with an experiential learning requirement like an internship or community-engaged project.
What you'll learn studying public policy
Studying public policy builds a set of practical, transferable skills that employers across government, nonprofit, and public-sector fields actively look for:
- Policy analysis and research (quantitative and qualitative)
- Data-informed decision-making
- Public communication and persuasive writing
- Understanding of how policy is created, implemented, and evaluated
- Experience through internships and applied projects
Program Information
Learn how decisions get made, and how to shape them. Duquesne's Public Policy minor teaches you to analyze problems, weigh solutions, and turn ideas into action, with real-world experience through internships and community-engaged projects. Open to any major, no prerequisites required.
Program Type
Minor
Degree
Bachelor's
Academic Department
Political Science
Duration
4-year
Required Credit Hours
18
Modality
In-Person
A New Minor Built For Diversifying Your Thinking and Reimagining Our World
Curious how public policy fits into your bigger goals? Our undergraduate recruiter can help you connect the dots, even if you're still discovering what you want to study.
Opportunities for Students
Who can enroll in the Public Policy minor?
Any student enrolled at Duquesne can declare a Public Policy minor.
This minor is a fit for students who want to understand the "why" behind decisions that shape communities, from healthcare and education to criminal justice and the environment. No background in government or politics is needed to get started.
Which majors and minors pair naturally with Public Policy?
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Communication Studies
- Economics
- Healthcare Ethics
What student organizations can Public Policy students join?
Duquesne currently has over 300 registered student organizations that are open to all students. Some organizations that might be a good fit for someone studying Public Policy include:
- Debating Society
- International Relations Club
- Migration Club
- Model United Nations Club
- Political Science Club
- Student Government Association
What internships can I get as a Public Policy student?
Every Public Policy minor includes an experiential learning requirement, giving students the chance to intern with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or community-engaged programs before they graduate. This hands-on experience lets students apply classroom learning — research, analysis, and communication — to real policy challenges. Additionally, you'll be in good company, as 93% of all students in Liberal Arts complete at least one internship before graduation.
Regardless of major, every student at Duquesne has access to individualized career counseling through their career consultant at the Center for Career Development. This support isn't limited to a student's four years on campus. The Center for Career Development remains as a resource available to all graduates for life.
Career Paths for Public Policy graduates
Graduates are prepared for roles across government, nonprofit, and public-sector employers, including:
- Policy analyst or research associate roles
- Nonprofit program and advocacy positions
- Public administration and local government careers
- Health, environmental, or criminal justice policy roles
- Graduate study in public policy, law, or public administration
6 courses, 3 credits eachProgram Requirements
Policy Area Courses (minimum required – 3 credits)
Interpersonal Communication Skills (minimum required – 3 credits)
Analytical and Research Skills – (minimum required – 3 credits)
Contact for more info
Political Science Department