Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Public Policy, B.A.


Hobby School of Public Affairs  > Public Policy, B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary in its curriculum and will build upon the expertise found within the University of Houston’s research clusters and the Hobby School of Public Affairs. The courses in this degree will allow students to acquire the techniques necessary for understanding and shaping public policies through empirical methods, ethical analysis, cost-benefit analysis, organizational behavior and leadership, problem-solving, and economic forecasting.

Readmission


Students whose UH enrollment has paused for 13 months or longer must apply for readmission as a former student.  Regardless of academic standing, students are required to meet program-specific re-entry requirements and deadlines. Please visit the University Admissions website for additional information: UH Undergraduate Admissions - Readmission for Former UH Students

Degree Requirements


Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy (120 hours)

I. University Requirements - Core Curriculum


Communication (6 Core Hours)


Mathematics (3 Core Hours)


Math/Reasoning (3 Core Hours)


Language, Philosophy, and Culture (3 Core Hours)


Creative Arts (3 Core Hours)


Life and Physical Sciences (6 Core Hours)


Social Sciences (3 Core Hours)


Writing in the Disciplines (3 Core Hours)


American History (6 Core Hours)


Government/Political Science (6 Core Hours)


Total: 42


II. Foreign Language Requirements


If needed, prerequisite 1000-level courses for required 2000-level courses (6-10 Core Hours)

Total: 6-16


III. School Requirements


In addition to the major requirements, students majoring in Public Policy must fulfill the requirements for one of the following options: double major; minor; certification (e.g., teacher or data analytics certificate); dual degree; or personalized track of upper division courses as approved by advisor.

Total: 12-30


IV. Program Requirements


Tools and Methods (6 Hours)


Students should choose two of the following courses:

Capstone Requirement (3 Hours)


Subject Matter Expertise (6 Hours)


Students should choose two courses from one of the following concentrations:

Total: 33


*To be eligible for an internship, students must have completed at least 60 hours of undergraduate courses, including at least 9 hours of Public Policy coursework, and have an overall GPA of 2.7. Students who do not meet these requirements may apply to the undergraduate advisor for a waiver.

Honors in the Major: In order to earn honors in the major, students must have an overall GPA, as well as GPA in the major at the time of graduation, of at least 3.3 and complete both the public policy internship and senior thesis, and receive a B or better in both.

V. Electives


Number of hours remaining to bring the total number of hours to 120 and total advanced hours (3000-4000 level) to 36.

Total Hours for Degree (Minimum 120 Hours)


A minimum of 120 hours (including 36 advanced hours) must be completed for the degree. No more than 66 semester hours of lower division transfer hours may be applied toward a bachelor’s degree. The last 30 semester hours to be applied toward a bachelor’s degree must be completed, uninterrupted, at the University of Houston.