Planning, Public Policy and Management (BA/BS)
What do sustainable city planning, community change, food security, transportation planning, and nonprofit administration have in common? All are rooted in making a difference in our communities, states, and countries. Choose to study in the School of Planning, Public Policy and Management (PPPM) and you’ll discover how governments, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector firms address some of the most important problems facing society—and how you can play a key role in finding innovative solutions.
As a PPPM major you’ll gain a thorough grounding in the principles of civic responsibility, environmental sustainability, and international understanding. Experiential learning, evidence-based decision-making, and interdisciplinary study will be at the core of your PPPM curriculum. You’ll learn from and work with faculty members who are internationally recognized scholars with a wide range of training and research interests. Your courses will focus on concepts and skills and explore how to implement them within communities, organizations, and governments.
Program's Admission Requirements
Please visit the program's website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Knowledge: Describe and navigate core principles and policy guiding nonprofit and public organizations
- Communication Skills: Interface with a wide range of audiences, write clearly, present information orally, prepare cover letters and resume, and engage in teamwork
- Analytical Skills: Perform analysis of communities through methods that include options such as spatial analysis, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and data analysis
- Synthesis: Use critical and creative thinking in leadership situations for ethical and inclusive teamwork
Planning, Public Policy and Management Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses 1 | ||
| PPPM 201 | Introduction to Public Policy | 4 |
| PPPM 205 | Introduction to City Planning | 4 |
| PPPM 280 | Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector | 4 |
| PPPM 315 | Foundations of Applied Analysis | 4 |
| PPPM 415 | Policy and Planning Analysis 2 | 4 |
| PPPM 494 | Practice of Leadership and Change | 4 |
| Methods Course | ||
| Select one of the following: 3 | 4 | |
| Statistics for Public Decision-Making | ||
| Practical Surveys for Public Service | ||
| Qualitative Analysis for Public Decision-Making | ||
| Urban Geographic Information Systems | ||
| Electives | ||
| Upper-Division PPPM courses 45 | 28 | |
| PPPM courses at any level 45 | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
PPPM majors must take core courses for letter grades and pass them with grades of C– or better.
- 2
- 3
PPPM majors must take this course for a letter grade and pass with a C- or better.
- 4
Credit limitations for fulfilling this requirement are:
- 5
Elective courses must be passed with a grade of Pass or C- or better to count towards the major requirements.
Students should expect extensive writing, analysis, and collaborative projects as part of their education in PPPM. For more information, contact an academic advisor in the College of Design.
Additional Requirements
At least 44 credits of coursework applied to the major must be taken at the University of Oregon.
Electives
Students are encouraged to work with a College of Design academic advisor to identify electives in one or more areas of interest which may include the following:
- Arts and Culture
- Community Planning and Policy
- Environment and Development
- Public and Nonprofit Management
Internship
Internships are optional but highly recommended for all PPPM students as a way to explore and clarify their interests and career goals, apply academic learning, develop new skills, and network with professionals. These career-building experiences help prepare students for fellowships, professional positions, or further academic study. Students interested in the PPPM Internship Program should enroll in PPPM 412 Internship and Professional Development and meet with the PPPM Undergraduate Internship Director. More information is on the School website.
Thesis and Honors Program
Students may pursue an undergraduate thesis in PPPM if they are accepted in the honors program, or if they are enrolled in the Clark Honors College. Students may not pursue the thesis option without prior approval; interested students should contact the PPPM Undergraduate Program Director by the end of their sophomore year for more information. Students must have a 3.75 GPA to be considered for the honors program; a thesis is required.
Four-Year Degree Plan
The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.
Bachelor of Arts in Planning, Public Policy and Management
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 | |
| First term of 1st-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| PPPM 205 | Introduction to City Planning | 4 | |
| Core-education course in arts and letters | 4 | ||
| Must Maintain 3.00 GPA for admission into PPPM major | |||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| WR 122Z | Composition II | 4 | |
| Second term of 1st-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| PPPM 280 | Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector | 4 | |
| Cultural literacy course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Third term of 1st-year second-language sequence | 4 | ||
| PPPM 201 | Introduction to Public Policy | 4 | |
| Core-education course in arts and letters | 4 | ||
| Core-education course in science | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| EC 201Z | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 | |
| First term of 2nd-year second-language sequence | Gain experience in paid or volunteer public service | 4 | |
| Cultural Literacy Course | 4 | ||
| Core-education course in science | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Second term of 2nd-year second-language sequence | Gain experience in paid or volunteer public service | 4 | |
| Core-education course in arts and letters | 4 | ||
| PPPM 315 | Foundations of Applied Analysis | 4 | |
| Core-education course in science | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Third term of 2nd-year second-language sequence | Gain experience in paid or volunteer public service | 4 | |
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Core-education course in social science | 4 | ||
| Core-education course in arts and letters | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| PPPM 415 | Policy and Planning Analysis | 4 | |
| Core-education course in social science | 4 | ||
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| PPPM research methods elective course | 4 | ||
| Statistics for Public Decision-Making | |||
| Practical Surveys for Public Service | |||
| Qualitative Analysis for Public Decision-Making | |||
| Urban Geographic Information Systems | |||
| Core-education course in science | 4 | ||
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| PPPM elective courses | 8 | ||
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| PPPM 494 | Practice of Leadership and Change | 4 | |
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Winter | |||
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Spring | |||
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Total Credits | 180 | ||
Bachelor of Science in Planning, Public Policy and Management
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 | |
| Mathematics course | 4 | ||
| PPPM 205 | Introduction to City Planning | 4 | |
| Core-education course in arts and letters | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| WR 122Z | Composition II | 4 | |
| Mathematics course | 4 | ||
| PPPM 280 | Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector | 4 | |
| Cultural literacy course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Mathematics course | 4 | ||
| PPPM 201 | Introduction to Public Policy | 4 | |
| Core-education course in arts and letters | 4 | ||
| Core-education course in science | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| Core-education course in arts and letters | 4 | ||
| EC 201Z | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 | |
| Cultural literacy course | 4 | ||
| Core-education course in science | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| PPPM 315 | Foundations of Applied Analysis | 4 | |
| Elective course | Gain experience in paid or volunteer public service | 4 | |
| Core-education course in social science | 4 | ||
| Core-education course in science | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | Gain experience in paid or volunteer public service | 4 | |
| Core-education course in arts and letters | 4 | ||
| Core-education course in science | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| PPPM 415 | Policy and Planning Analysis | 4 | |
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Core-education course in social science | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Winter | |||
| PPPM research methods elective course | 4 | ||
| Statistics for Public Decision-Making | |||
| Practical Surveys for Public Service | |||
| Qualitative Analysis for Public Decision-Making | |||
| Urban Geographic Information Systems | |||
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Spring | |||
| PPPM elective courses | 8 | ||
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| PPPM 494 | Practice of Leadership and Change | 4 | |
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 4 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Winter | |||
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Spring | |||
| PPPM elective course | 4 | ||
| Elective courses | 8 | ||
| Credits | 12 | ||
| Total Credits | 180 | ||