The Sanford School of Public Policy is a vibrant, dynamic community of thinkers and doers who are dedicated to leaving the world a better place.

The public policy major offers many exciting opportunities. We teach courses in a broad array of areas, including education and social policy, health and population, environment and energy, international development, global governance and security, civil society, and leadership and ethics.   

Rigorous coursework provides students skills in political and economic analysis, knowledge about how to lead people and organizations, and a strong ethical foundation for decision-making. As a liberal arts major, public policy studies teaches students to read critically, think analytically, and write concisely.

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Loading...

Nathan Boucher is the Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Sanford School

"Our public policy major teaches students how to apply policy knowledge to real-world problems.  Our community of faculty scholars, staff and students make Sanford such an exciting place to be." - Nathan Boucher

Featured Centers and Initiatives

Loading...

DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy

Duke University’s hub for journalism and media studies. 

More about the center
Loading...

Duke Program in American Grand Strategy

For Duke students interested in national security policymaking.

More about the program
Loading...

Hart Leadership Program

Helping students discover the power of leadership for public life.

More about the program
Loading...

Polis: Center for Politics

Committed to increasing our understanding of politics locally, nationally, and globally.

More about the center

Exciting Opportunities

Loading...

Duke in DC

The Duke in DC program offers a unique and exciting opportunity to live, study, and work in the nation’s capital.

More about Duke in DC
Loading...

Duke in Glasgow

Study at one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Sponsored by the Sanford School and Duke's Global Education Office for Undergraduates.

More about Duke in Glasgow

Minors & Certificates

CHILD & FAMILY POLICY

Sponsored by the Center for Child and Family Policy, this certificate builds students’ knowledge of child and family issues and provides academic tools to engage in research that informs policy and practice.

More about this certificate

JOURNALISM & MEDIA MINOR

This minor prepares students for careers in media policy, journalism, and related professions. Sponsored by the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy.

More about this minor

Health Policy

Co-sponsored by the Margolis Institute for Health Policy, this certificate is for students interested in how policy relates to health care and its effect on the economy, society, governments, and the private sector. 

More about this certificate
Loading...

Couldn't Be Happier

"If you had told me before I went to Duke (when I was interested in mechanical engineering!) that I’d be here right now, thinking about a summer internship in DC, with a potential job on the horizon in DC working in policy, I would have told you you’re crazy. But I couldn’t be happier, and I definitely couldn’t have gotten there without Sanford." - Devin Greeno PPS'24

Recent Undergraduate Stories

There are no Story items to show.