What to Expect

Students majoring in policy studies are studying the kinds of issues that governments make decisions on each day. These programs often allow you to specialize in a specific area, such as health or economic policy.

Katherine Kelly completed an undergraduate degree in biology before beginning a master's program in public policy. "It is a great program to pursue when you don't know exactly what kind of career you want to pursue," she says. "It is multidisciplinary in nature and gives you much flexibility and many options."

During the first term, she studied governing institutions, microeconomics, management and health policy. In the third term, she took courses in policy analysis, conflict management, public law, macroeconomics and health economics.

Ben Hamilton earned a BA in political studies and history before starting his master's program in public administration. He also worked as an intern in a government department of municipal affairs and housing.

Hamilton had about two hours a day of reading and group meetings. "I [liked] the policy analysis course," he says. "It has stimulating readings."

Kelly's favorite classes were management and conflict management.

"I didn't find the program too difficult," Kelly says. "For some people, economics is a challenge, but it's hard to prepare for that. Many people find that the program is very time-consuming and that there is a lot of work."

How to Prepare

Kelly says having a math background would make the program easier. "But it is definitely not necessary," she says. "I would suggest to get involved with as many extracurricular activities as possible."

When Kelly was in high school, she served as school president and a peer counselor and was involved in sports and other activities. "If you are involved in high school, you are likely to be involved in university and that will help you get into any program," she says.

Hamilton says courses and activities in debating and public speaking would be valuable.