The public policy minor is intended for University of Iowa undergraduate students who seek to understand how and why public policies are adopted; how they impact the economy, society and communities; and how innovative public policies are developed to improve economic prosperity, social justice and wellbeing, and environmental sustainability at the local, state, national and global levels.
The minor in public policy is well-suited for students majoring in economics, political science, education, sociology, criminology, pre-law, human rights, social justice, social work, geography, sustainability, environmental policy and planning, civil and environmental engineering, health and public health, business, anthropology, history, journalism and mass communication, African American studies, and Native American and Indigenous studies among other areas.
Students completing the public policy minor will be able to analyze the impact of past and current public policies, understand the institutions and process of policy making, and develop new public policies to tackle pressing challenges faced by our society. They will be prepared to enter policy-making fields in their areas of interest, and to make communities, states and nations more resilient, inclusive and prosperous.
The Graduate College is the curricular college for the undergraduate public policy minor, and the minor is awarded by the University College.
Public Policy Minor details
Recent changes have been made to the curriculum, applicable to students beginning the minor in spring 2026. Contact Carrie Schuettpelz with any questions.
Requirements
1 core course (3 s.h.)
4 electives, minimum (12 s.h.; at least 6 s.h. from elective Group A; no more than 6 s.h. electives from Group B)
- The undergraduate minor in public policy requires 15 s.h. of coursework taken at the University of Iowa.
- Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.00 in work for the minor.
- Coursework in the minor may not be taken pass/non-pass.
- The minor may be earned by any student admitted to the University of Iowa who is not concurrently enrolled in a UI graduate or professional degree program.
The core courses provide generally applicable knowledge and methods. The electives allow students to explore policy areas of interest to them.
Curriculum
Curriculum
1 Core Course (3 s.h.)
| Course number | Course title |
|---|---|
| PBAF:1001 | How to Change the World |
| PBAF:3560 | Public Policy and Persuasion Prerequisites: RHET:1030 or RHET:1040 or RHET:1060. Same as POLI:3560, RHET:3560, SJUS:3560 |
Electives
- At least two electives must be from the Group A list below.
- No more than two courses may be from Group B.
- A core course may be taken as a Group A elective if the course was not taken to meet the core requirement.
Group A (at least 6 s.h.)
Any undergraduate course taught in the School of Planning and Public Affairs starting with the prefix PBAF or URP and a number between 1000-4999.
Group B (no more than 6 s.h.)
| Course number | Course title |
|---|---|
| CRIM:2210 | Iowa Criminal Justice Policy and Reform |
| GEOG:3780 | U.S. Energy Policy in Global Context |
| HHP:4030 | Social Determinants of Health Prerequisites: HHP:2200 and HHP:2310 |
| IS:2908 | Governance and Human Rights |
| POLI:1501 | Introduction to American Foreign Policy |
| POLI:2417 | Comparative Environmental Policy |
| POLI:3104 | Immigration Politics |
| POLI:3160 | Applied Research in Political Science |
| POLI:3423 | The Middle East Policy and Diplomacy |
| POLI:3525 | Iowa Policy and Opinion Lab |
| SOC:3630 | Racial Wealth Gap |
Declaring the Minor and Minor Advising
Students may declare the minor in MyUI as soon as they are enrolled in any of the public policy minor courses above.
Those interested in pursuing the minor must meet with the minor advisor, be briefed on the minor expectations for performance, and complete a Plan of Study that must be approved by the minor advisor.
Please contact Carrie Schuettpelz, Director of Undergraduate Studies at the School of Planning and Public Affairs.