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. 

Note: all courses, with the exception of PUBPOL 155, must be taken on a letter grade basis in order to qualify for the major.

5 CORE COURSES 

  1. PUBPOL 101: Introduction to Policy Analysis -- This course is a prerequisite for all of the  core courses except PUBPOL 150 and PUBPOL 303.  This is the gateway course for the major.
  2. PUBPOL 301: Political Analysis for Public Policy
  3. PUBPOL 302: Policy Choice as Value Conflict or PUBPOL 330/GLHLTH 210 Global Health Ethics
  4. PUBPOL 303: Microeconomic Policy Tools or ECON 201D: Intermediate Microeconomics I -- Note: students who have taken Econ 201D cannot take PUBPOL 303.
  5. 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.

2 REQUIRED COURSES

  1. PUBPOL 304: Economics of the Public Sector
  2. 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 ELECTIVES

  • 4 PUBPOL Electives at the 102-699 level (one of which MUST be a 401-699 level course)

INTERNSHIP

  • Internship

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Suzanne Pierce

Student Services Coordinator

suzanne.pierce@duke.edu
(919) 613-7320

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.