Public Policy or Political Science? How to Choose the Right Major for YOU

Written by: Assistant Professor Kaitlyn Sims, Degree Director for the Public Policy BA

Many undergraduate students find themselves deciding between a degree in Public Policy and a degree in Political Science. At first glance, these programs sound similar. Both explore how societies make decisions, how governments function, and how people work to shape the world around them.

But the two majors offer different skill sets, approaches to problem solving, and pathways into future careers. Here’s a breakdown of what each degree focuses on, what kinds of thinkers students become, and what kind of careers they build.

Whether you imagine yourself crafting legislation, improving communities, analyzing data or shaping change at the local, national, or global level, both degree programs can set you up for success in your future career. Understanding the difference between Public Policy and Political Science will help you choose the best academic path to achieve your goals in life and in your college experience.

In A Nutshell

What Is Public Policy?
The Public Policy BA (PPOL) focuses on how to effect change in the world. Students explore how to create, evaluate, and implement solutions to real-world problems. Even more, students will learn how to identify urgent challenges, analyze data, evaluate policy options, and understand economic and ethical tradeoffs. Core coursework often includes topics such as policymaking, economics, ethics, and data analysis. The DU PPOL degree also builds in hands-on skills courses, where students partner with local leaders to improve Denver.

What Is Political Science?
Political Science centers on how politics and government systems are structured, with a strong emphasis on political theory, political thought, and the philosophical foundations of governance. Students investigate comparative politics, law and society, political ideologies, and how political institutions shape civic life. Political Science majors develop exceptional writing, analytical reasoning, and theoretical thinking skills.

What’s the difference between Public Policy and Political Science?
Both major degree programs give students the skills for successful careers in law, government, research, education, political strategy, and public service. Choosing between Public Policy and Political Science often comes down to how each major shapes your approach to understanding and improving society.

Public Policy develops applied problem solvers who learn to analyze data, evaluate program impact, weigh economic and ethical tradeoffs, and craft actionable solutions.

Political Science, by contrast, builds strong theoretical thinkers who study how governments operate, how political systems compare across countries, and how ideas and institutions influence political behavior.

Public Policy vs. Political Science: Career Paths Compared
Both majors lead to competitive careers in government, nonprofits, advocacy, legislative offices, law, and graduate programs, but the roles students pursue often reflect their training.

Public Policy prepares students to work across a wide spectrum of governance, including state and local government, international organizations, and community-based initiatives, while Political Science focuses more on political systems, civic behavior, and the structure of institutions that shape public life.

Political Science graduates tend to gravitate toward writing-intensive analysis, political advising, and legal pathways. Public Policy graduates frequently move into roles involving quantitative evaluation, economic and cost-benefit analysis, program design, and policy implementation.

DU It ALL AT DU

At the University of Denver, students can explore these fields through the Public Policy (PPOL) major in the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs or the Political Science major in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

DU students can complete a major plus at least one minor or a second major, making it easy to customize an academic path that aligns with their interests.

Strong combinations with Public Policy at DU include:

At DU, students can tailor their degrees to match their interests and build a powerful, interdisciplinary foundation for their future.

Why Public Policy at Korbel?
Studying Public Policy at Korbel gives students a nationally recognized, hands-on education that prepares them to create real change. DU combines academic rigor with the personal attention of a small school.

Faculty invests deeply in each student, ensuring students gain applied experience, internships, and opportunities that larger institutions often can’t match.

With a curriculum grounded in economics, ethics, data analysis, and real-world policymaking, plus strong connections across Denver’s policy landscape, Korbel equips students with the practical skills and experiences needed to launch a meaningful career in public service, advocacy, or community leadership.

Key Takeaways

• Public Policy focuses on identifying real-world problems and developing analytical, ethical, and data-driven solutions.
• Political Science focuses on theory, philosophy, and the structure of political systems.
• Both majors prepare students for impactful careers across government, nonprofits, advocacy, the private sector, and graduate or law school.
• Many students choose to study both to gain a powerful mix of theoretical and applied skills.

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