The Public Service and Policy Major works well with a wide range of interests. Many students pair it with Political Science, Environmental Studies, Economics, Business, Sociology, Geography, International Studies, Public Health, Communication, and other majors.
Not sure exactly where your career is headed? This major gives you practical skills that apply across sectors and creates a strong foundation for graduate study if that’s part of your future.
Interested in exploring the field without declaring the major? The Minor in Public Policy is another great way to get started.
What You’ll Learn
With the Public Service and Policy Major, you’ll develop skills you can take into government, nonprofits, education, healthcare, philanthropy, advocacy, and many other fields.
Analyze public problems using qualitative and quantitative evidence.
Understand how policies move from ideas to implementation.
Write and communicate clearly for different audiences.
Lead projects and work effectively on teams.
Collaborate across organizations and communities.
Make thoughtful, evidence-informed decisions.
What You Can Do
This major is ideal for students who want to solve public problems, engage meaningfully with communities, and create lasting, positive impact. Graduates of the Public Service and Policy major develop skills in policy systems analysis, communication, ethical decision making, and leadership.
Graduates might pursue jobs including:
- Policy Assistant / Policy Aide
- Legislative Assistant
- Program Assistant /Program Coordinator I
- Outreach & Engagement Coordinator
- Advocacy & Campaign Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Environmental Analyst
- Transportation Manager
- Budget Analyst
- Grant Coordinator
- Campaign Manager
- Equity & Advocacy Coordinator
- Consultant
- Economic Analyst
The program also prepares students for further studies, including graduate school in law, public health, public policy, and social sciences.
The Evans School Advantage
The Evans School has spent more than 60 years preparing leaders to improve communities through public policy and governance. As an undergraduate student, you’ll benefit from:
- Faculty with real-world expertise. Learn from faculty whose teaching is informed by experience in public policy, public service, research, and leadership.
- Interdisciplinary coursework. Explore topics across the University of Washington while building a strong foundation in policy, leadership, research methods, and public service through Evans coursework.
- A Bachelor of Arts with practical value. Combine the breadth of a liberal arts education with the applied learning of a professional school. You’ll strengthen skills in critical thinking, communication, analysis, and problem solving that employers value across sectors.
- Experiential learning. Put your learning into practice through a policy lab, where you’ll work with a professional client to address a real-world challenge.
- A welcoming academic community. Join a close-knit community that encourages collaboration, thoughtful discussion, and learning from different perspectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before declaring the Public Service and Policy Major, explore any of the following first- and second-year courses: Composition or writing, economics, leadership, political science, public policy, regional studies, sociology, statistics, and courses that cover the areas of inquiry. You can learn more by joining an information session.
Current UW students who meet the declaration requirements are welcome to apply. If you’re planning to transfer or apply to UW, connect with us early so we can help you plan your next steps.
Public Service and Policy is a minimum requirement major. All students complete the following to declare the major:
- 45 college credits with a min 2.0 GPA
- 2.00 in PUBPOL 201 Intro to Public Policy & Governance
Intentions to join the major are reviewed quarterly to confirm minimum requirements are met and to ensure the degree can be completed within the University’s satisfactory progress policies. Because of when courses are offered, it is not possible to expedite time to graduation, which typically takes six quarters. Transfer applicants to the UW can declare an intention to join the major and be admitted with the provision they complete PUBPOL 201 with min 2.0 in their first quarter.
Complete the Declare the Major form and upload your transcripts. While the form to declare the major is always available, invitations to join the major are made once per quarter following the third Friday. Students are notified two to three weeks following the third Friday.
- Entry to the major is for the quarter immediately following the quarter the Declare the Major form is submitted.
- Transfer applicants to the UW can declare an intention to join the major and be admitted provisionally to the major assuming they receive an offer from the UW.
Absolutely! The Public Service and Policy Major is designed to complement many fields of study, making it a great option for students with a wide range of interests.
Yes. Many students use this major as a foundation for graduate study in public policy, public administration, law, public health, urban planning, nonprofit management, international affairs, social sciences, and related fields.
The Public Service and Policy Major prepares you to understand how policy is created, implemented, and evaluated while building practical skills you can use throughout your career. You’ll learn how to analyze complex problems, work with data and multiple forms of evidence, communicate with diverse stakeholders, manage projects and resources, and lead with integrity.
Just as importantly, you’ll develop a broad understanding of how public service works across local, state, national, and international settings. Whether you’re interested in government, nonprofits, healthcare, education, philanthropy, or mission-driven organizations, you’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex challenges, develop practical solutions, and create meaningful public impact.