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Studies & Degrees in Public Policy

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Public Policy Study Programs

Level: Graduate     Location: Madrid
Level: Undergraduate Bachelors     Location: Villanueva de la Cañada

Are you considering pursuing a degree in Public Policy, also known as Public Policy and Administration?  Do you have questions regarding the curriculum for this course of study and the career prospects for qualified graduates?  If so, the following information may prove very useful.  Here we will cover some of the specifics with regard to the Bachelor of Degree program in Public Policy—what it’s about, the curriculum, etc.—and introduce you to some of the career opportunities and the employment outlook for holders of this degree.
 
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Policy
 
With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration, students are prepared to make important decisions and influence policy that may directly or indirectly affect an organization, a community and/or an entire state or region.  Holders of this degree generally have a strong understanding of policy analysis—a skill that is crucial in career positions for which professionals are charged with the design, formulation and implementation of new policies for a wide array of business and industry types.
 
About the Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy
 
The degree program in Public Policy affords students a wonderful opportunity to acquire an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the processes related to policy development and implementation through direct government action as well as public and private interaction.  The program typically spans four years or eight full semesters in duration, and includes both general education courses, along with core coursework directly related to the Public Policy discipline.  While the exact titles of the core courses may vary depending on the institution, they may include classes such as:
 
  • Organizational Communication
  • Social Problems and Policy
  • Management Information Systems
  • Public Personnel Management
  • Process Improvement Methodologies
  • Public Finance
  • Grant Administration and Resource Development
  • Administrative Law
  • Policy Leadership
  • And more…
 
In each of these classes students will focus on one or more of the major elements of public policy, decision making and administration, including the structure and processes of government; the economic factors involved in public administration; the history and evolution of public policy law; the essential tools required for the implementation of policy decisions; the goals and objectives of public policy; the methodology used to evaluate policy decisions; the processes by which public policy is formulated and implemented; and the role of the public sector in the development and implementation of public policy.
 
Public Policy:  Career Opportunities
 
There are a number of potential career opportunities for those with an undergraduate or graduate degree in Public Policy.  Some of these include:
 
  • Labor arbitrator
  • Campaign manager or assistant
  • City Manager
  • Customs agent or investigator
  • Planning and research director
  • Financial analyst
  • Intelligence specialist
  • Internal auditor
  • Legislative analyst
  • Lobbyist
  • Military officer
  • Personnel and labor manager
  • Urban and regional planner
  • And hundreds more…
 
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 40 percent of all Public Policy graduates will find work in governmental agencies, but there are also many employed in private businesses and industries, as well as in educational and non-profit settings.  Because of this flexibility, degree holders in public policy are constantly in high demand, with many securing position even before completing their degree.