Skip to main content

School of Public Policy

Solutions for the Region,
Solutions for the World

Four students
Discover Our Undergraduate Programs
The UCR School of Public Policy houses the first public policy undergraduate major in the entire UC system!
BA in Public Policy
Minor in Public Policy
Three female students
Finish your BA and MPP in five years!
The UCR School of Public Policy is the only UC with a five-year BA and MPP program.
Learn more
Three students walking
Time to Make Your iMPPact
Fall 2026 applications for our Master of Public Policy program open September 1st, 2025!
Learn more
Apply now

Undergraduate Programs

Our undergraduate programs are unique, interdisciplinary, and tailored to produce successful post-graduate employment.

We will provide you with a set of research, analytical, and management skills that are transferable across sectors and across issue areas. Our programs prepare you for a career not only in public employment (e.g., federal, state, and local government agencies) but also in for-profit firms' policy advocacy departments and non-profit organizations. Discover more career options here!

UCR is the first public policy school with an undergraduate public policy major in the entire University of California system.

 

You can study Environmental Policy, Health Policy, Poverty and Income Policy, Water Policy, Income and Wealth Inequality, Crime, Justice, and Drug Policy, Migration and Citizenship, Discrimination and Identity, Housing and Homelessness, Urban and Community Development, Agricultural Policy, Energy Policy, Democracy, Corruption, and Voting, International Policy, Geographic Sciences and Policy

Explore Our Programs

BA in Public Policy
More Information
Interdisciplinary South Building
Minor in Public Policy
More Information
BA/MPP Program
More Information

Why Choose the UCR School of Public Policy?

Public policy student Pia Prashanth tells us why admitted students should submit their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) for the UCR undergraduate public policy program.

Use MyUCR to submit your Statement of Intent to Register:

MyUCR Portal

Set up your MyUCR account: Check your inbox for an email containing your username and instructions for creating a password. This email was sent to the address provided in your UC Application. If you did not receive an email, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.

Testimonial from student Bella Engles: “The B.A. in Public Policy program has been an excellent stepping stone for law school. It has made me more aware of the structures of society and how they are upheld by policy. I have learned so much, from how to analyze human behavior and weigh the costs vs. benefits of policies, to how to determine whether or not a policy would be efficient. The UCR School of Public Policy has strengthened my analytical skills as well as my creative ones.”
Testimonial by student Dori Pham: “I chose to pursue a B.A. in Public Policy because I am deeply passionate about creating positive change and addressing the pressing issues facing my community. My goal is to return to Vietnam to be a politician, where I can actively work to develop policies that support economic growth, education, and social equity. I chose UCR because it is the only school in the UC system offering a B.A. in Public Policy, giving me a unique, hands-on foundation to pursue this path.”
Testimonial by student Sunaina Das: “My time as an undergraduate student at the UCR School of Public Policy has been nothing short of transformative. The B.A in Public Policy program has not only empowered my civic engagement and political agency, but has also introduced me to the world of public health and health policy. My internship opportunities and collaborations on research projects have allowed me to turn my passion for health equity into tangible, real-world impact.”
Testimonial by student Sanjana Bollaprogada: “The B.A in Public Policy program has provided me with invaluable opportunities to participate in research and lead my own public health initiative on campus. As I pursue my goal of becoming a physician, the program has given me the tools to understand the social factors shaping healthcare in the U.S. I am grateful for the foundation it has provided, as it bridges my passion for medicine with a broader perspective on the social determinants of health.”

Want More Information?

Drop In Hours

Join our recruiter during our Application & Admissions Drop In Hours for a chance to ask questions about our programs, deadlines, funding, research, and more.

Hosted on a weekly basis on Monday and Wednesday, 12:00-1:00 PM. These sessions are online only.

Join virtually via Zoom

Contact Information

For more information, please contact the Admissions and Recruitment Specialist:

BA/MPP Info Sessions

Interested in our BA/MPP Program? Fill out this form to register for an information session!

BA/MPP Info Sessions will re-open in winter of 2025, stay tuned!

Let us help you with your search