Program: Public Policy and Leadership Minor - University of Virginia

Apr 03, 2025

Undergraduate Record 2024-2025

Return to: Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy: Degree Programs

Rooted in the social sciences, the minor focuses on public policy issues and decision-making processes through instruction in economic, political, historical and psychological factors in public policy formulation and application. The minor consists of a core curriculum and specialized courses that emphasize substantive knowledge, analytical rigor, and research skills. It also introduces students to leadership theory and concepts. The Public Policy and Leadership Minor consists of 18 distinct credit hours of coursework with no double counting of courses with a student’s major, second major or second minor.

Current University of Virginia undergraduates, not enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Leadership major, can apply for admission once they have completed or have currently enrolled in the required prerequisites. Complete requirements for admission to the Batten minor are listed in the Undergraduate Record in the Batten School Academic Rules and Regulations section.

Prerequisites

Students must complete and earn a C or higher in two (2) prerequisite courses:

ECON 2010 - Principles of Economics: Microeconomics - Credits: 3

(or equivalent) and either

LPPL 2600 - Foundations of Behavioral Science - Credits: 3

PSYC 2600 - Introduction to Social Psychology - Credits: 3

(or equivalent).

Curricular Requirements (18 Credits)*

To earn a minor in Public Policy and Leadership from the Batten School, a student must complete 18 credits consisting of four core courses and two special topics courses (3 credits each). All courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be taken on a graded (A-B-C-D) basis. Candidates for the minor must earn a minimum grade of C in all core courses:

Three courses on the foundations of public policy and leadership (9 credits) - These courses introduce students to the basic models, concepts, and frameworks of civic leadership and to the theories and substance of public policy.

One course on the economic analysis of public policy (3 credits) - Students learn to analyze the rationales for government interventions in markets, the advantages and disadvantages of different tools of policy action, and the costs and benefits of policy decisions.

LPPA 3640 - Research Methods and Data Analysis in Public Policy - Credits: 3

Two special topics courses (6 credits) - Offers students the opportunity to study in depth specific public policy and leadership topics. The Batten School will offer topics courses on specific policy topics and leadership skills each year of the program. These courses will vary by year, but will include topics such as:

Pending approval by the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Academic Programs, students may take up to 3 credits (one course) offered in other departments or through study abroad toward the special topics requirement. All special topics courses must be 3000-level or higher and must address issues related to public policy and/or leadership.