Policy Studies

Join the Conversations at the Forefront of Impacting Contemporary Policy Issues

Powered by the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs

Immerse yourself in the policymaking process. Examine how decisions are made and how they affect government policies—at the international, federal, state, and local levels, as well as in private business and nonprofit organizations. And most importantly, learn to examine and measure how the resulting impact of policies affect individuals and communities.

Program Features

  • Bachelor of Professional Studies undergraduate degree, 120 credits
  • This policy studies degree represents a partnership between Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies and the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, the #1 school in the nation for public affairs (U.S. News & World Report).
  • Develop an expertise in a policy area of your choice that provides a broad range of scholarly and professional perspectives.
  • Fully online program with weekly interactive live sessions that you can complete from anywhere in the world.

About This Program:

  • 100% Online
  • 6 Start Dates a Year
  • 8-Week Courses
  • Transfer Up to 90 Credits
  • Study Part Time
  • Blend of Asynchronous and Synchronous Learning

Our Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) degrees are different than B.A. and B.S. degrees in important and necessary ways:

Learn the difference between a BPS, a BA or a BS degree

START NOW GRANT: Apply and get admitted in the 2024-2025 academic year to be eligible to receive the Start Now Grant which gives you a 30% discount off the current tuition rate for your first 15 credits, an opportunity to save over $4,000!

Curriculum
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What You’ll Learn:

  • Examine how public policy is implemented.
  • Develop research and problem solving skills to create government policies that address current social and economic problems facing the United States.
  • Explore an expertise in a policy area of your choice that provides a broad range of scholarly and professional perspectives.
  • Gain an understanding of collecting and synthesizing information in a variety of ways using quantitative research and analysis techniques.
  • Analyze important political science concepts and the basics of political argumentation and reasoning.
  • Develop competencies in the application of social science methods to public policy problems.

Learn to Succeed in Positions Like:

  • Public Relations and Fundraising Manager
  • Medical and Health Services Manager
  • Policy Analyst
  • Research Analyst
  • Project Manager
  • Information Security Analyst
  • Policy Director

Sample courses in the Policy Studies curriculum:

  • PST 101 – An Introduction to the Analysis of Public Policy
  • PSC 202 – Introduction to Political Analysis
  • ECN 101 – Introductory Microeconomics
  • PSC 121 – American National Government & Politics
  • PST 367 – Smart Cities and Urban Policy
  • PST 315 – Methods of Public Policy Analysis and Presentation
  • SOC 102 – Social Problems

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