Curriculum

The BSPP online coursework provides interdisciplinary knowledge that combines economics, political science, sociology and specialization topics that will empower you to develop workable solutions for emerging issues. Gain the analytical, decision-making and communication skills you need to promote, implement and defend public policy initiatives.

Degree requirements

A minimum of 180 quarter credits are required to graduate with your public policy degree, including:

• OSU's Baccalaureate Core (general education)
• B.S. requirements
• College of Liberal Arts Core (for all majors in OSU's College of Liberal Arts)
• Major requirements: Public policy

Honors degree online

As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, you can apply to earn an honors degree online in your academic major. Earning this prestigious degree gives you the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research, complete a comprehensive thesis experience and engage in co-curricular activities.

Specialization options

These specialization topics provide you the opportunity to deepen your skills and knowledge in an area of public policy interest. Select one of the three options.

Environmental policy

Discover how laws and politics shape the decisions around climate change, natural resources, renewable energy and other issues in the environmental policy option. View the curriculum »

Rural policy

Take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex set of challenges facing rural communities that are exacerbated by globalization and technological change. View the curriculum »

Social policy

Examine social issues that challenge existing knowledge, policies and institutions, such as poverty, inequality, hunger, homelessness, access to education, and child care. View the curriculum »

Sample course topics

• State and local politics
• Public policy problems
• Public administration
• Ethics in public policy
• Public economics
• Population trends and policy
• International political economy
• Policy research

Additional program features

Internship / Work experience

The curriculum's PPOL 410 practicum course requires you to take part in a supervised work experience in a public policy-related program. Your academic advisor can provide more information once you're admitted.

Accelerated Master's Platform

Get a jump-start on your Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree while working toward your undergraduate degree in public policy. Through Oregon State’s Accelerated Master’s Platform, current undergraduate public policy students can take graduate-level courses online that will be applied to their bachelor’s degree, and the credits earned will be transferred to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program. Students enrolled in Ecampus graduate courses will pay the graduate tuition and fees rate.

Transfer credits

Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.

Previously earned credits will need to be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU’s Transfer Credit Central.

Add a minor

As an OSU Ecampus student, you can add a minor to your degree program. OSU offers a diverse selection of minors online that complement the BSPP major, including leadership, sustainability and resource economics or health management and policy.