New! Complete the Public Policy Minor at the Hartford Campus
The Public Public (PP) minor provides an overview of public policy processes and the design, management, and evaluation of public policies and programs. Undergraduate students can now complete the PP minor at the Hartford Campus beginning in Fall 2021. The PP minor is offered by the School of Public Policy which is located on the 4th floor of the Hartford Times Building.
Why Pursue the Public Policy Minor?
- Learn how to design, manage, and evaluate public policies and programs through an emphasis on real-world policy applications of interdisciplinary theory and methods.
- The public policy minor is an excellent complement to social science majors such as Economics, Human Development and Family Sciences, Political Science, Psychological Sciences, and Urban and Community Studies.
- The minor’s interdisciplinary approach also works well with majors in applied fields such as Business Data Analytics, Financial Management, Marketing Management, and Social Work.
PP Minor Requirements
Curriculum and Courses at the Hartford Campus
Effective Fall 2021, the Public Policy minor requires 15 credits at the 2000-level or above with a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in each one of the courses taken for the minor. Students planning to complete the minor at the Hartford campus can take the following courses:
- PP 3098-H01. Local Government Management and Leadership (Fall)
- PP 3098-H02. Public Policy, Diversity, and Inclusion (Fall)
- PP 3098-H03. Fund Development and Nonprofit Sustainability (Fall; online)
- PP 4034. Social Policy (Distance learning in Fall 2022)
- PP 3020W. Cases in Public Policy (Spring)
- PP 3033. Race and Policy (Spring)
- *new!* PP 3098. Policymaking and Legislation (Spring)
- Graduate (5000-level) courses if also admitted to the Fast-Track program. See below for more information about the Fast-Track to MPA, MPP, and MASR programs.
For a complete list of requirements and course descriptions, visit the Undergraduate Catalog.
Declaring the Minor
Students at the Storrs and regional campuses can declare the PP minor online at the Program Plan Change (PPC) website.
Contact
With questions about the PP minor, please contact Program Director Catherine Guarino at catherine.guarino@uconn.edu.
Fast-Track Program
Program Overview
The Fast-Track program allows UConn undergraduate students to take graduate-level coursework towards a master’s degree in public administration (MPA), public policy (MPP), or survey research (MASR) at no additional cost to their undergraduate tuition.
Each of our degrees are interested in advancing the common good through policies and programs.
- Master of Public Administration focuses on the leadership and management skills necessary to implement policies and programs.
- Master of Public Policy focuses on the analytic and quantitative skills necessary to design, analyze and evaluate policies and programs.
- Master of Arts in Survey Research focuses on the innovative skills and instruments necessary to create and manage policy and program data.
The Fast-Track is open to UConn undergraduate students in all majors at any UConn campus. Visit the Fast-Track website for more information and to apply.
Tailor Your Master’s Degree to Meet Your Interests
Public Administration (MPA) and Public Policy (MPP) students are traditionally in-person for the majority, if not all, of their 43 credits of coursework. They are able to tailor their degree through their electives. MPA students have nine credits, and MPP students have 12 credits of electives. Students have the opportunity to create focus areas that display a specific concentration of interest. Areas of interest for current and recent students include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
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*SPP focus areas. Visit our MPA and MPP specific focus area pages for more information!
Save Time and Money
Public Administration and Public Policy
Fast-Track students can complete 18 credits towards their master's degree while an undergraduate at no-additional cost to their undergraduate tuition. This allows them to enter graduate school as a second year student who is eligible for the Internship and Professional Practice program. Full-time graduate students can receive funding in their first and second year of study.
First-Year Students (Students should apply by February 15 and select “Yes” for “Are you applying for a GA/Fellowship” in the survey section of the application.)
- Graduate Assistantship (GA): Awarded based on academic merit to full-time students. Carries a full-tuition tuition waiver, stipend, and medical benefits in exchange for 10 hours a week work commitment. A limited amount of GA’s are available each year in either a research or teaching capacity.
- Sponsored Internship (SI): For students not awarded a GA. Offered on a limited basis in the nonprofit or public sector, SI’s receive a stipend.
- Student Employment: Depending on needs and funding, this hourly based position offers an opportunity for students to support Departmental program activities.
- Federal Work-Study: Supporting students with Federal Work-Study money as part of their financial aid package, these students support program activities. If a student wishes to utilize their federal Work-Study they should contact the Administrative Program Director.
Second-Year Students (Fast-Track students need to apply by February 15 their senior year to be IPP eligible.)
- Internship and Professional Practice (IPP): For full-time students who have completed 18 credits of MPA or MPP coursework, including 9 credits of core coursework. Students must participate in Mock Interview Night and Resume Workshop. Students carry a tuition scholarship, stipend, and medical benefits in exchange for 15 hours a week at either a public or nonprofit organization.
Survey Research
Through the Fast-Track program, UConn undergraduate students can earn 12 credits toward their 30 credit master's degree at no additional cost to their undergraduate tuition. After graduation they can complete their master's degree for less than $15,000. Their remaining 18 credits of coursework can be completed within a year.
Students who do not pursue the Fast-Track option can complete their degree for less than $25,000 for their 30 credit degree.
Both undergraduate Fast-Track students and full-time graduate students have an internship requirement.
Our program differs from the traditional fee schedule on the Bursar's website. Students pay $825 per credit while they are a graduate student, but they do not pay extra to take graduate courses while an undergraduate. This $825 cost remains the same no matter where you live, so students can pursue a job in Los Angeles or London and pay the same rate. This cost includes tuition and fees. Many of our students work while completing their degree, and a number of students receive tuition reimbursement from their employer.
Careers
Our alumni go on to careers in areas including but not limited to education, finance, government, healthcare, marketing and policy. 97% of Department of Public Policy alums are employed within six months of graduation in their desired field or pursuing further education in law, medicine or a PhD program. Roughly 40% of our students each year find employment outside of Connecticut.
Current Alumni Employers:
- Capital Regional Council of Governments
- CT State Departments
- CT State Legislature
- Eversource Energy
- Fiduciary Investment Advisors, LLC
- Foodshare
- Hartford Healthcare
- International Rescue Committee
- Mathematica
- McLagan
- PFM
- Social Security Administration
Vanessa, Program Manager at Google 
Andrew, Data and Research Analyst at The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority 
Ashley (MPA), Program Manager at Hartford Healthcare - Town of Manchester, CT
- Travelers Institute
- U.S. Government Accountability Office
- U.S. Navy
- YouGov
PP Minor and the Fast-Track
Students can pursue both the PP minor and the Fast-Track program since PP courses taken as part of the Fast-Track can be counted toward the minor. Interested students should contact Program Director Catherine Guarino at catherine.guarino@uconn.edu.