Public Policy Bridging Disciplines Program Certificate
Department website: https://undergraduates.utexas.edu/academics/bridging-disciplines-programs/programs/public-policy
This program focuses on how change happens: how did a journalist’s inquiry into the effects of agricultural chemicals give rise to the environmental movement; how did a black woman’s refusal to yield her bus seat to a white man galvanize the civil rights movement; how did a diplomat’s cable about Russian history give rise to the policy of containment? Students will learn about the policy-making process, beginning with the point at which someone senses a problem or an opportunity and begins to press the matter. They will then walk through the processes by which that sense of a problem is turned into a public policy issue through research, mobilization, the engagement of political leaders, and in some instances, the passage and implementation of new policy.
This program will be beneficial to students who aspire to positions in policy-relevant institutions such as government agencies, legislative offices, think tanks, and advocacy groups. The program also will help students who plan to pursue careers in business, where success often depends on understanding how government works.
Total Hours Required: 19
Requirements
Requirements are listed in the table below. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum. Students should also review the University's Undergraduate Minor and Certificate Requirements and Policies.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hours chosen from: Forum Seminars | 1 | |
| Introduction to Public Policy | ||
| Hours chosen from: Public Policy Foundatio | 3 | |
| Introduction to Public Policy | ||
| Policy-Making Process | ||
| Foundations of Public Affairs | ||
| Additional hours chosen from: (three hours maximum may come from a Contexts category) | 9 | |
| Communication Policy- Policy Emphasis | ||
| Communicating to Government | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Communication Policy- Contexts | ||
| Fundamental Issues in Journalism | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Community and Urban Policy- Policy Emphasis | ||
| Social Welfare Programs, Policies, and Issues | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Community and Urban Policy- Contexts | ||
| Urban Politics | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Economic Policy- Policy Emphasis | ||
| Business and Policy in the Age of Inequality | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Economic Policy- Contexts | ||
| Introduction to Economics | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Education Policy- Policy Emphasis | ||
| Foundations of United States Schooling | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Education Policy- Contexts | ||
| Education and Society | ||
| Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Foreign Policy and Global Development- Policy Emphasis | ||
| Topics in Political Science | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Foreign Policy and Global Development- Contexts | ||
| Global Governance | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Health Policy- Policy Emphasis | ||
| Health Care Policy in the United States | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Health Policy- Contexts | ||
| Environmental Health | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Political Institutions, Structures, and Processes- Policy Emphasis | ||
| The United States Congress | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Political Institutions, Structures, and Processes- Contexts | ||
| The American President | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Race, Immigration, and Citizenship- Policy Emphasis | ||
| Race and United States Social Policy | ||
Other courses from approved list on the BDP website | ||
| Race, Immigration, and Citizenship- Contexts | ||
| Topics in Interpersonal Communication | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Science and Technology Policy- Policy Emphasis | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Computer Science | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Science and Technology Policy- Contexts | ||
| Environmental History of North America | ||
Hours chosen from: Approved list | ||
| Approved Hours chosen from: Research or internship Connecting Experiences (see advisor) | 6 | |
| Connecting Research Experience | ||
| Connecting Research Experience | ||
| Connecting Internship Experience | ||
| Undergraduate Minor and Certificate Requirements and Policies | ||
| Total Hours | 19 | |
Additional Requirements and Policy
- A three to four page essay in which students reflect on what they have learned and accomplished through their experience is required. The essay is reviewed and must be approved by a member of the faculty panel in order to complete the certificate requirements
- To create an interdisciplinary experience, students must choose courses from a variety of disciplines. Only one of the strand courses may come from the student's major department(s) or from same as with the student's major department(s). The certificate as a whole must represent a variety of disciplines; the advisor can help ensure that the coursework will meet the certificate requirements for interdisciplinarity.
- In courses taken for a letter grade, the student must obtain a grade of at least C- .
- A cumulative certificate GPA of at least 2.0 is required.
- Only one BDP course, including connecting experience, may be taken pass/fail. Any exceptions will be considered by the faculty panel on an individual basis.
- The student may be able to count courses toward the certificate that are not listed, if enough of the course content relates to the BDP topic. Consult with the advisor to petition a course to count towards the certificate.