Public policy affects every facet of society—from education and healthcare to the environment, civil rights, and national security. At Gettysburg College, our Public Policy Department empowers students to become informed decision-makers, ethical leaders, and change agents in a rapidly evolving world. With an interdisciplinary foundation and a strong commitment to real-world application, this program prepares you to make an impact on local, national, and global issues.
Why Study Public Policy at Gettysburg?
Public Policy is more than just an academic discipline—it’s a call to action. Our interdisciplinary program equips you to think deeply, communicate clearly, and act decisively. Drawing on fields such as economics, political science, philosophy, and environmental studies, you’ll learn to evaluate problems from multiple angles and craft real solutions that make a difference.
At Gettysburg you will receive a consequential education: rigorous, relevant, and designed to empower you to be a changemaker. Through hands-on internships, off-campus study opportunities, and one-on-one faculty mentorship, you will connect your studies to real-world impact—whether in Washington, D.C., your local community, or across the globe.
Whether you are passionate about social justice, economic development, healthcare reform, sustainability, or international policy, Gettysburg gives you the academic freedom and faculty mentorship to design a path that fits your goals. With opportunities for internships, off-campus study, and independent research, you will gain firsthand experience that sets you apart in graduate programs and the job market.
Major in Public Policy
The Public Policy major at Gettysburg College is intentionally flexible, designed for students who want to address the most urgent challenges of our time. You will start with foundational courses in policy analysis, economics, and political institutions, take upper levels courses in theory, evaluation, communication, and ethics, and then shape your own path by choosing electives and internships that reflect your interests and career goals.
Your culminating experience is a senior research project or honors thesis, where you’ll engage deeply with a policy issue of your choice—producing original research that demonstrates your ability to Do Great Work with clarity, ethics, and purpose.
Curriculum
The Public Policy major consists of 12 courses, thoughtfully structured to provide both depth and breadth in the discipline:
- Core Courses: These include Introduction to Public Policy PP 221, Research Design and Methodologies PP 251, one introductory Political Science class, and Microeconomics, to give you a solid grounding in policy frameworks and research methods.
- Advanced Courses: The required upper-level courses include Advanced Policy Analysis and Communication PP 305, the Public and Its Problems PP 306, one Ethics and Values class from a pre-approved list, and the Internship Course. You will also take two electives in a policy arena of your choosing and complete an internship course. There are dozens of electives to choose from, such as National Security Policy, Environmental Policy, Determinants of Health and Policy, Environmental Economics, Non-Profit Management, Criminology and Criminal Justice Policy, Health Economics, and Foreign Policy.
- Capstone Project: All students complete a senior policy research seminar. The capstone class allows you to develop a research question and pursue guided research on a project that reflects your intellectual interests and showcases your ability to apply interdisciplinary analysis to real-world issues.
- Experiential Opportunities: Take advantage of off-campus study, undertake community-based research with our Center for Public Service, participate in programs in Washington, D.C. with the Eisenhower Institute, undertake internships globally through the Center for Global Education, and apply for prestigious public policy internships in government, non-profits, or think tanks.
Learn more about the Public Policy curriculum at Gettysburg.
Why Choose Public Policy?
Choosing Public Policy at Gettysburg means choosing an education that matters. Our students graduate with a distinctive blend of critical thinking, analytical reasoning, communication skills, and ethical awareness—skills that are vital in today’s policy landscape.
You will benefit from small classes, close faculty mentorship, and a supportive community of learners who care deeply about creating a more just and equitable world. Graduates of the program pursue careers in law, public service, nonprofit leadership, journalism, and public health—or continue on to top graduate programs across the country.
At Gettysburg, you will not just study policy—you will learn how to change it. That is the power of a consequential education.
Take the Next Step
Ready to make a difference in the world? Start your journey today by applying to Gettysburg College or requesting more information. Our Public Policy program will prepare you to lead with insight, compassion, and purpose.