Public Policy Studies
Catalyze change in society
Our minor in public policy studies will prepare you to make a difference at local, national, and global levels.
Join a community of conscientious, analytical students driven by a desire to understand the different ways policy is developed and implemented. You'll use your compassion, insight, and intellect to improve lives and address pressing societal challenges.
What will you learn as a public policy minor?
You'll think critically about questions that concern the daily lives of Americans. You’ll understand the impacts of governmental actions and the tools available to address societal struggles. Courses cover a range of topics, including:
- Principles of microeconomics
- American public policy
- Public economics
- Political economy of education
- Health systems
- Food policy and culture
Through investigation into these topics, you’ll learn to apply your skills to everyday situations.
Our students combine public policy with a variety of majors and head out into the world prepared to affect public good.
Our Faculty
Masato Aoki
Associate Professor
Zinnia Mukherjee
Associate Professor
Niloufer Sohrabji
Professor and Program Director for Economics and Director of General Education
Spotlight on Public Policy Students and Alums
Building a Family History at Simmons
Nearly a century ago, Anna T. Kenney attended Simmons College, majoring in Secretarial Studies. Now, Kenney’s great-granddaughter, Annie Doherty ’26, has followed in her great-grandmother's footsteps to Simmons.
Flourishing in the Community at Simmons and Completing Meaningful Internships
Bella Yee ’24 is a Public Relations and Marketing Communications major, with minors in Business and Public Policy. She is the Communications Director for the Student Government Association and Co-President of the Communications Liaison. Yee also interned for the Massachusetts legislature, most recently for the Office of Representative Adrianne Ramos.
Meet Your Orientation Leader: Lucy Lawrence '23
Meet economics major, Lucy Lawrence! Read why Lucy chose to attend Simmons and the one lesser-known item she recommends first-years have in their dorms.