A doctoral or master’s degree student in any degree program may minor in public policy. 

Minoring in public policy will equip students with knowledge about the policy process and provide training in the design, implementation and evaluation of public policies.

In turn, these skills will help students attain jobs in the policy field or other fields requiring analytical skills. 

As governments, nonprofits, and other entities are increasingly motivated to analyze the impact of policies and programs before pursuing new regulation, they require more individuals who have the practical policy analysis and program evaluation skills, which are taught in the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program. 

Doctoral students who minor in public policy can increase their academic job opportunities at policy or public affairs schools or departments or in non-academic policy organizations, governments, non-profits, etc. According to Prodigy Finance, MPP grads can expect a 31% increase in salary. Bankrate also ranked the Public Policy degree among the top 15 most valuable majors.   

Doctoral Minor Requirements 

Doctoral minors require a minimum of 15 credits with at least six of those credits at the 500-level or higher. In order to apply, students must complete a form through the Penn State Graduate School. For more information, email publicpolicy@psu.edu.

Master’s Minor Requirements

Master’s minors require a minimum of six total credits with at least three of those credits at the 500-level or higher. In order to apply, students must complete a form through the Penn State Graduate School. For more information, email publicpolicy@psu.edu.

Curriculum

Students will choose courses from among our regular schedule of graduate public policy courses. The full list of courses can be found on the Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin.