HASS Minor in
                             Public Policy

Public Policy Minor

 

Home Requirements


Policy Tracks

 

"Why does it take one year to design a bridge and 20 years to get the permits to build it?"
"...There ought to be a law..."
"...Maybe we can get some government money.."

 

Public policy looks at the nature of public problems and how we attempt to address those problems through government action. 

The HASS Minor in Public Policy is designed for science and engineering students who would like to understand better the many ways that their field of technical expertise may influence, and be influenced by,  federal, state, and local policies.

The HASS Minor in Public Policy follows a six course sequence that is divided into three tiers (see the requirements page).

  •  The first tier introduces the fundamental concepts and ideas that guide how we think about public policy and government action. 

  •  The second tier explores methods of policy analysis.

  • The third tier offers an in-depth exploration of a specific policy field.

Students interested in the Public Policy Minor should visit the HASS MINOR website for information on instructions and deadlines for applying for a HASS Minor.

Majors in Course XI or Course XVII cannot minor in Public Policy.

The HASS Public Policy Minor is administered jointly by the Department of Urban Studies and Planning and the Department of Political Science. Each department has designated a Public Policy Minor Advisor who is responsible for advising students in the minor.

 

Minor Advisors:

Professor Stephen M. Meyer

 Department of Political Science
   E53-402
   Phone: 253-8078
   Email: smmeyer@mit.edu

Professor Dara O'Rourke

 Department of Urban Studies & Planning
   9-328
   Phone: 253-5196
   Email: dorourke@mit.edu