The historic Dallas Hall on the SMU campus is the home of Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

Undergraduate programs

Public policy

B.A.

Overview

The B.A. in public policy is an interdisciplinary program in economics and political science designed to provide students with the analytical skills and historical context to understand and address contemporary policy issues. The major in public policy is useful as preparation for work in government and business and as preparation for postgraduate study in law, public policy and the social sciences.

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

11:1

undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio

90+

undergraduate majors at Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

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Tuition and financial aid

2 out of 3 first-year students are awarded grants and/or scholarships with an average total of $38,598.

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for undergraduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

ECO 4331

International Trade

Examines international trade in goods and services among countries and develops a framework for analyzing trade policy issues

PLSC 3330

Law, Politics and the Supreme Court

An introduction to the uniquely political and legal role played by the Supreme Court in elaborating the scope of governmental power and defining individual rights and liberties

PLSC 4382

The Politics of Military Force

Examines the use of U.S. military force as a political instrument and its effectiveness as a tool of American foreign policy since the end of World War II

Outside the classroom

Student success

Students study with nationally visible faculty, have the opportunity to become involved in significant research projects, and may be eligible for summer or term internships in Washington, D.C.

Faculty

The faculty, offering strong preparation for living and working in a rapidly globalizing world, are dedicated to undergraduate teaching as well as highly distinguished in research.

Facilities

The historic Dallas Hall on the SMU campus is the home of Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

Dallas Hall

A 57,687-square-foot facility utilized by Dedman College as both academic and office space.

Carr Collins, Jr. Hall is home of the Department of Political Science and the John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies.

Carr Collins, Jr. Hall

The hall supports undergraduate and faculty research and organizes numerous conferences, lectures and symposia on American politics, international politics and political economy.

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Frequently asked questions

The public policy B.A. addresses political ideas, institutions and processes in such regional settings as Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States, and in such problem settings as international relations, economic and social policies, and constitutional and public law.

As of 2023, the median annual salary for those who hold a degree in public policy was $55,000. According to Indeed, degree programs in public policy can prepare you for a wide range of careers and industries, including healthcare, business development, and finance.

The bachelor’s in public policy is useful as preparation for work in government and business, and as preparation for postgraduate study in law, public policy and the social sciences. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many individuals with a degree in public policy go on to work as public administrators, social workers, and human services and community organizers.

Political science studies look at the interactions between countries and their respective politics. Public policy focuses on the analytical skills and historical context to understand and address contemporary policy issues.

Yes, many students with a bachelor’s in public policy go on to attend law school, as the B.A. curriculum focuses on problem solving in such settings as economic and social policies and constitutional and public law.

Absolutely. The John G. Tower Center for Public Policy and International Relations provides undergraduates with unique opportunities to meet and interact with experts in international relations and comparative politics.

Over the past 25 years, the Tower Center has awarded undergraduate students with over 120 awards of internship funding and research fellowships in support of their mission to promote the study of public policy and international affairs and to prepare future leaders to make a positive global impact.

The public policy major is an interdisciplinary program in economics and political science, requiring 39 hours of coursework that includes core classes in statistics, macroeconomics and microeconomics. At least 15 hours of electives can include courses in quantitative methods, political economy, law and social policy, and international politics and policy.