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Public Service & Policy


The Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a major in Public Service and Policy is an interdisciplinary program designed to bring students to a deeper understanding of their roles in public service, the creation and implementation of public policy, and civic health. Learning is organized around three broad outcomes including understanding the context in which policy is created and implemented; cultivating a methodological toolkit that brings diverse evidence into public service and policymaking; and expanding communication, management, and leadership skills for public service impact. By understanding challenges and being well versed in the development of multiple, useful, and realistic solutions, graduates will contribute to the development of local, national, and global communities.

Major category: Minimum requirements

Minor available

Curricular options: B.A.

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Degree requirements

Applicant type

Applicant type

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).

Public Service and Policy is a minimum requirements major. You may declare this major after enrolling at the UW and completing the prerequisites.

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring / summer

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

Please contact the department for details about the application process.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses REQUIRED for admission:

  • Complete PUBPOL 2011 SSC – Introduction to Public Policy & Governance with a minimum grade of 2.0.
  • complete 45 college credits with a minimum grade of 2.00.
NOTES: 1 Transfer applicants to the UW can declare an intention to join the major and be admitted with the provision they complete PUBPOL 201 with a minimum 2.0 in their first quarter.
Outcomes unavailable for this major. See other majors with similar topic categories.

See list of all majors