PPA Concentrations

Politics and Public Affairs majors must choose a concentration within the program to complete their degree requirements. These include:

The International Affairs concentration puts you at the center of global decision-making. You’ll dive into big questions shaping our world, such as how countries negotiate conflicts, how the UN and other global organizations respond to challenges, and how corporations, global non-profits, or even celebrities influence international politics.

Through hands-on simulations (including our award-winning Model UN team) and engaging coursework, you won’t just study global challenges like war, human rights, migration, trade, poverty, or national security — you will practice solving them. You’ll learn to analyze evidence, craft diplomatic strategies, and understand how cooperation (and competition) unfolds on the world stage.

Students in the International Affairs concentration grapple with questions such as: Why do states go to war? What prompts states to work together? How do international organizations mediate conflict and facilitate cooperation? How can we prevent or stop human rights violations or international crime? How and why do global orders change over time?

International Affairs is a good option for students seeking careers with international and regional organizations, including as members of the diplomatic, national security, international development, health, or aid communities.

The Policy Analysis concentration provides an insider’s view of how policies are developed, evaluated, and put into practice in the United States and around the world. You’ll study why certain policies move forward; how institutions, political actors, and political cultures shape decisions; and what conditions support effective implementation.

Coursework spans key policy domains such as immigration and asylum, social, health, welfare, housing, economic, or environmental policy. Through case studies and applied research, you’ll build strong analytical and problem-solving skills, learning how to assess policy options, interpret data, and understand the trade-offs that decision-makers face. By the time you graduate, you’ll know how to design and recommend smart, evidence-based solutions that can make a meaningful impact in government and public life.

Students in Policy Analysis explore and discuss questions such as: Who defines what counts as a policy problem? What are potential policy solutions? Which of the available policy solutions are feasible? What are the costs and benefits of a given policy? How can you measure policy outcomes to determine if the policy is effective?

Policy Analysis is a good fit for students seeking careers in non-profits, foundations, think tanks, public administration, and working with elected officials.

The Government and Legal Affairs concentration provides a grounded understanding of how governments work in the United States and beyond. You’ll explore the role of legislatures, executive leaders, courts, and the citizenry, while learning how laws are created, interpreted, and applied across democracies.

Coursework involves understanding the core principles underpinning democratic government and legal authority to better assess what distinguishes democracies from dictatorships. You’ll conduct debates and simulations of political institutions in action to understand the interplay of morality and expedience in political decision-making. Throughout your coursework, you’ll examine how institutional design and political culture shape what governments can do and what the people expect from political leaders.

Students interested in the Government and Legal Affairs concentration debate questions, such as: Why do we need government? What values should be prioritized when forming a government? What do we have to fear or to hope for democratic governance? What is the rule of law? How do democracies differ from each other? How do branches of government interact and limit each other? What tools do the people have to hold leaders accountable? What explains the distribution of public goods and services?

Government and Legal Affairs is a good fit for students interested in running for office, working with elected officials and on political campaigns, in law enforcement, joining the intelligence community, attending law school, or seeking to be ethical and effective leaders in a democratic society.

In addition to courses in your PPA concentration, you may participate in the Grand Strategy Program, which connects big picture thinking with hands-on experiences.

In the Grand Strategy Program, you’ll study world events past and present, travel with faculty on off-campus programs, explore study-abroad options, and take part in internships customized to your interests. Along the way, you’ll work with classmates who bring diverse perspectives to the table, helping you build the kind of teamwork and analytical skills that employers value across all fields.

This program is only available for students completing the PPA major, though components of the program may be open to students outside the major.

The Grand Strategy Program adds an exciting layer of interdisciplinary and experiential learning. Whether you’re imagining a career in government, law, nonprofits, business, journalism, or something entirely different, the Grand Strategy Program strengthens your ability to think broadly, analyze deeply, and tackle complex problems with confidence. It’s designed to prepare you not just for your first job — but for leadership in a complex and rapidly changing world. Learn more.