Major Requirements
There are no prerequisites in order to declare the Public Policy Studies major. However, there is a flow to the major requirements and advance planning is important in order to complete the major.
All courses, with the exception of PUBPOL 101, must be taken on a letter grade basis in order to qualify the major.
PUBPOL 101 Introduction to Policy Analysis -- This course is a prerequisite for all of the core courses except PUBPOL 150D and PUBPOL 303. This course is the gateway course for the major and is offered as a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) course. This course is the same as previous PUBPOL 155 and still is the required introductory course.
PUBPOL 301 Political Analysis for Public Policy
PUBPOL 302 Policy Choice as Value Conflict or PUBPOL 330/GLHLTH 210 Global Health Ethics
PUBPOL 303 Microeconomic Policy Tools or ECON 201D Intermediate Microeconomics -- Note: students who have taken Econ 201D cannot take PUBPOL 303
PUBPOL 150D Applied Statistics for Public Policy. For 2027, 2028, and 2029 graduates, STA 199L Introduction to Data Science and Statistical Thinking OR PUBPOL 150D. ECON 104, STA 101L, STA 102L, STA 113FS, or STA 198L may substitute for STA 199L or PUBPOL 150D. For students entering Duke in Fall 2026 or after, PUBPOL 150D. ECON 104 may substitute for PUBPOL 150D. The DUS will also consider requests for course substitutes.
PUBPOL 304 Economics of the Public Sector
History Elective Choose an elective from this list.
Note: the history elective must be taken on campus at Duke; it cannot be a transfer or study abroad course.
4 PUBPOL Electives at the 102-699 level (one of which MUST be a 401-699 level course).
Note: the upper-level elective must be taken on campus at Duke; it cannot be a transfer or study abroad course.
Majors must complete a 300 hour internship experience.
Public Policy Classes and Majors Worksheet
The public policy majors worksheet helps you plan your classes.
Student Handbook
Get all the information you need about the major. Download the undergraduate student handbook.
Questions? Contact Us!
Suzanne Pierce
Student Services Coordinator
Suzanne Pierce is the Student Services Coordinator for the Public Policy Undergraduate Program. She has over 24 years of experience at Duke University working with undergraduate students.