U-PPS-AB - Public Policy (AB)

Internship Program

The public policy studies internship program provides students with an opportunity to develop a basic understanding of one or more policy areas, to apply that understanding in an internship, and to return to the classroom to build on that knowledge and experience.

Prior to beginning the internship, students must take all of the following courses: Public Policy Studies 155D, 301 or 302, and Statistical Science 199L (Global Health 210 can substitute for Public Policy Studies 302). All of these courses are listed as prerequisites for Public Policy Studies 120. The internship application process takes place during the fall and spring semesters prior to the internship under the guidance, assistance, and approval of the Public Policy Studies Internship Office. Students whose internships are not preapproved by the internship office run the risk of not receiving credit for their internships. Upon completion of the internship, students are required to submit an analytical memo and a self-evaluation form.

Public policy studies majors are strongly encouraged to take advanced follow-up coursework that builds upon the knowledge gained from their internship experiences.

Departmental Graduation with Distinction

For departmental Graduation with Distinction, students are required to complete an honors seminar or independent study project and produce an honors research project. To be awarded Graduation with Distinction in public policy, a student must receive no less than an A- on the research paper as determined by the honors program director and to have at least a 3.40 average in the following subset of public policy studies courses: Public Policy Studies 155D, 301, 302D, 303D (or 304 if the student takes Economics 201D instead of 303D). If a student is judged to have done a clearly superior research project, as evidenced by a grade of A or A+ as determined by the honors program director, and if the 3.40 or higher average in the above subset of courses is attained, Highest Distinction in Public Policy is awarded. The proposed program of research must be approved in advance by the director of undergraduate studies. More details on the honors program are provided in the Handbook for Public Policy Majors, available from the office of the director of undergraduate studies.

Website: sanford.duke.edu/academics/undergraduate-program/programs/ba-public-policy