Undergraduate PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Department of Political Science
Purpose
The Undergraduate Public Policy Analysis Certificate (U-PPAC) is an interdisciplinary program that provides
undergraduates across campus (any department or college) with relevant knowledge of the policy process and the
methodological skills for analyzing policy problems and programs. Students interested in policy issues, policyrelated job opportunities, or have the desire to acquire a set of analytical and methodological evaluative skills will
benefit from the U-PPAC. Students who have completed the U-PPAC requirements will, upon
graduation/completion, receive a certificate in Public Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation.
The certificate requires 15 credit hours of course work with a grade of B or better plus a 3 credit hour internship for
a total of 18 credit hours. The certificate does not add substantially to course requirements as only 9 the hours (3
courses) are specifically required, with the remaining 2 classes (6 hours) chosen based upon the student's topical
interest(s), be that in their major and/or minor(s).
Principles and Requirements for the Undergraduate Policy Curriculum (18 hours):
Four principles train students to analyze systematically and coherently public policies, negotiate multiple and
competing interests, and develop in-depth knowledge and application in substantive policy issue(s).
1. First Level courses cover the theories, processes, models, and methods of policy analysis. (6 hours; both courses
required)
POLS 235
POLS 236
Public Policy Concepts and Processes
Public Policy Analysis: Methods and Models
2. The Second Level course examines the interpersonal, interagency and inter-group communication processes
within which policymaking occurs. Choose one of the following. (3 hours).
POLS 261
COMM 211
COMM 371
COMM 375
Conflict Resolution
Intercultural Communication
Communication in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Theories of Persuasion
3. Third Level courses apply models, methods, and the understanding of the policy process in substantive policy
arenas. Students consult with the policy certificate coordinator to create a specialized plan of study for this level. (6
hours)
*Course abbreviations in parentheses are cross-listings.
Communitv (urban & rural) Policv
AECN 376
Rural Community Economics
CRPL 300
The Community and the Future
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CRPL 415
CRPL 460
ECON 340
GEOG 283
GEOG 361
HIST 344
POLS 426
SOCI 445
Housing, Renewal and Development
Planning and Design in the Built Environment
Introduction to Urban-Regional Economics
Space, the Environment and You
Urban Geography
American Urban & Social History
Topics in American Public Policy (community focused)
Sociology of Urban Areas
Comparative/International Policv
CRIM 475
International Criminology
CRPL 481
Planning and Developing Countries
GEOG 372
European Landscapes and Cultures
GEOG 375
Geography of Asia
GEOG 378
Geography of Latin America
ECON 388
Comparative Economic Systems
ECON 423
Economics of the Less Developed Countries
POLS 361
The UN and World Politics
POLS 371
Politics of the European Community
POLS 363
U.S. Foreign Policy
POLS 464
Political Economy of the Asia-Pacific
POLS 471
Comparative Public Policy: A Cross National Approach
Criminal Justice Policy
CRIM 331
Criminal Law
CRIM 335
Criminology
CRIM 337
Juvenile Delinquency
CRIM 338
Minorities and Criminal Justice
CRIM 339
Women, Crime and Justice
CRIM 403
Organization & Administration
CRIM 413
Sociology of Deviant Behavior (or SOCI 474 Sociology of Deviance)
CRIM 435
Community-Based Corrections
CRIM 450
Drugs & Crime
CRIM 451
Violence
CRIM 475
International Criminology
PSYC 430
Family Violence
SOCI 311
Sociology of Juvenile Delinquency
Cultural/Ethnic Policy
CRIM 338
Minorities and Criminal Justice
GERO 469
Working with Minority Elderly
ETHN 350
People and Cultures of Native Latin America (ANTH 350)
ETHN 366
African Americans and the Politics of Race: From the New Deal to the New Right (HIST 366)
ETHN 477
Indigenous Peoples of the World (HIST 477)
H1ST 333
Jews in the Modern World (JUDS 333)
HIST 464
Native American History: Selected Topics (policy focused)
POLS 426
Topics in American Public Policy (cultural/ethnic focused)
POLS 476
Ethnic Conflict and Identity (JUDS 476)
PSYC 425
Psychology of Racism
SOCI481
Minority Groups (same as ETHN 481)
TEAC 330
Multicultural Education (ETHN 330)
Drug Policy
CRIM 450
CYAF 446
SOCI 309
Drugs and Crime
Addiction and Families
Drugs and Society
2
Economic Policy
AECN 425
Agricultural Marketing in a Multinational Environment
CRPL 480
Economic Development Planning
ECON 321
Introduction to International Economics
ECON 322
Introduction to Development Economics
ECON 323
Economic Development of Latin America
ECON 371
Elements of Public Finance
ECON 381
Introduction to Labor Economics
ECON 389
Current Economic Issues (topic changes each semester)
ECON 423
Economics of the Less Developed Countries
ECON 471
Public Finance
ECON 481
Economics of the Labor Market
GEOG 443
Industrial Location
POLS 426
Topics in American Public Policy (economics focused)
POLS 459
International Political Economy
Education Policy
ALEC 424
Foundations of Career and Technical Education
TEAC 330
Multicultural Education (ETHN 330)
TEAC 331
School and Society
TEAC 431
Studies in the Foundations of Education
TEAC 432
Higher Education in America
TEAC 437
Democracy and Education
EDPS 434
Comparative Education (or TEAC 433)
GERO 410
Educational Gerontology
POLS 426
Topics in American Public Policy (education focus)
SOCI 460
Education and Society
Environmental Policy
AECN 357
Natural Resources and Environmental Law (NREE 357)
AECN 445
Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy Analysis
AECN 456
Environmental Law
AECN 457
Water and Natural Resources Law
AECN 465
Resource & Environmental Economics II (NRES, WATS 465)
AGRO 475
Water Quality Strategy (CRPL, CIVE, FFWL, GEOL, MSYM, POLS, SOC1, NRES, SOIL,
WATS 475)
AGRO 450
Climate and Society (METR, AGRO, GEOG, NRES 450)
ANTH 473
Ecological Anthropology
ANTH 476
Human Rights, Environment and Development
CRPL 470
Environmental Planning and Policy
CRPL 471
Environmental Impact Assessment
ENVR 319
Environmental Engagement and the Community
HIST 346
North American Environmental History (NRES 323)
HIST 469
Global Environment History
NRES 323
Natural Resource Policy
NRES 423
Integrated Resources Management
NRES 484
Water Resources Seminar (GEOG, GEOL, AGRO, WATS 484)
POLS 426
Topics in American Public Policy (environmental focus)
SOCI 446
Environmental Sociology
Family Policy
ETHN 440
FACS 481
CYAF 488
CYAF 495
The Black Family
Family Violence
Child and Family Policy
Special Topics in Family and Cultural Diversity (policy focus)
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POLS 426
PSYCH 430
PSYC 489
SOCI 425
SOCI 444
SOCI 448
Topics in American Public Policy (family policy)
Psychology of Family Violence
Child Behavior and Development Contemporary
Contemporary Family Issues
Social Demography
Family Diversity (same as ETHN 448)
Gender
ANTH 410
CRIM 339
ECON 357
ECON 445
POLS 338
POLS 426
PSYC 421
PSYC 471
SOCW 486
SOCI 490
Women and Men: An Anthropological Perspective (WMNS 410)
Women, Crime and Justice
Women and Work in USA History (HIST, WMNS 375)
Gender, Economics, and Social Provisioning (WMNS 445)
Women and Politics
Topics in American Public Policy (gender focused)
Psychology of Gender (WMNS 421)
Human Sexuality and Society
Women’s Issues and Sexism
Sociology of Women
Gerontology Policy
GERO 410
Educational Gerontology
GERO 435
Issues in Aging
GERO 447
Mental Health and Aging
GERO 450
Legal Aspects of Aging
GERO 451
Long-term Care Administration
GERO 455
Health Aspects of Aging
GERO 467
Programs and Services for the Elderly
GERO 469
Working with Minority Elderly (SOCW 404)
GERO 492
Special Studies in Gerontology (policy focused topic)
Health Policy
COMM 354
GERO 447
GERO 455
HLTH 322
HLTH 326
NUTR 351
NUTR 356
NUTR 401
NUTR 405
POLS 426
PSYC 428
SOCI 453
SOCW 465
Health Communication
Mental Health and Aging
Health Aspects of Aging
Health Education Methods and Materials
Epidemiological Procedures for Community Health
School Health Issues
Nutrition Education in the Community
Health Behavior
Health Promotion Strategies at the Workplace
Topics in American Public Policy (health focuses)
Health Psychology
Sociology of Health and Health Professions
Social Work in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities
Immigration Policy
CEHS 467
International Cultures Experience in the Local Community
CRIM 338
Minorities and Criminal Justice
ETHN 481
Minority Groups (SOCI 481)
PSYC 310
Psychology of Immigration
PSYC 330
Psychology of Diversity
POLS 333
Immigration and Politics
Social Policy
4
CRPL 450
POLS 426
PSYC 310
PSYC 483
PSYC 489
SOCI474
SOCI 480
Social Planning and Policy
Topics in American Public Policy (social policy)
Psychology of Immigration (same as ETHN 310)
Psychology of Social Behavior
Child Behavior and Development
Sociology of Deviance (or CRIM 413)
Social Inequality: Stratification and Life Changes
4. Fourth Level: Internship; fieldwork (3 hours; capstone experience). Students will be placed in a governmental or
non-profit agency relating to their issue area of expertise. The internship occurs after completing or during the last
semester of course work for the U-PPAC. The political science undergraduate advisor as well as the policy
certificate coordinator will help students find an appropriate policy-relevant internship. Academic requirements for
the internship will be set by the U-PPAC coordinator; however, the student can register for internship credit through
political science or their major department.
Internship; fieldwork (3 hours; capstone experience)
POLS 395
Internship in Political Science
Students must meet with the policy analysis coordinator to set up a plan of study. For more information or to
enroll in the certificate program, contact Professor Kevin Smith, Department of Political Science, Oldfather
Hall 511, 472-3221. Email: [email protected]
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