Carnegie Mellon University

Minor in Politics and Public Policy

Rooted in the discipline of political science, the minor in Politics and Public Policy investigates US public policy issues and other matters of domestic politics while providing students hands-on and practical learning experiences.  Students pursuing the Politics and Public Policy minor must participate in the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) for one semester during their undergraduate experience.

From embassies to nongovernmental organizations, think tanks to advocacy organizations, government agencies to congressional offices, and consulting firms to media outlets, Washington, DC, is the center for many political, international relations, and public policy activities. Students in the program come into direct contact with political, business, and community leaders and learn about the most pressing policy issues of the day.

The CMU/WSP, sponsored by the university's Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology (CMIST), is a semester-long program in which students live, intern, and take CMU classes in Washington, DC.  Undergraduates from any course of study at the university may participate in the program. Students earn 48 units for the Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program, interning about twenty-four hours per week in any sector or field of interest within Washington, DC, while taking classes taught by Carnegie Mellon faculty. 

Through this experiential learning program, CMU/WSP participants develop professional and networking skills, explore how coursework connects to the real world, learn to give and receive constructive feedback in the workplace and classroom, and intentionally reflect on their learning and growth.  CMU/WSP students are connected with Washington, DC- based alumni to share career advice and tips about life in DC. CMIST also sponsors events and policy-oriented opportunities in Washington for students participating in the program to further enrich their experience and enhance their understanding of how Washington functions as a hub of international and policy decision making.

A maximum of two courses may double count between the minor in Politics and Public Policy and another major or minor.

Curriculum (66 units)

Internship (24 units) 
84-360 CMU/WSP: Internship Seminar 24

Seminar on Public Policy Research, Writing, and Implementation (12 units)

Full semester course. Options vary by semester. Students enroll in one course from the following list:

84-336 Implementing Public Policy: From Good Idea to Reality (spring) 12
84-339 Seminar in Public Policy Research (fall) 12
Seminars on American Politics, Governance, Institutions, and Law (12 units)

Students enroll in one course in each mini during the semester they are in Washington, DC, for a total of 2 seminars and 12 units. Additional courses coming soon.

84-332 Contemporary US Constitutional Law Issues (fall) 6
84-338 Analysis of US Presidential Powers (fall) 6
Foundational Course (9 units)

Students select one course (9 units) from the following list of courses offered at Carnegie Mellon University’s Pittsburgh or Qatar campus.  Students may take this course before or after participating in the CMU/WSP.

84-104 Decision Processes in American Political Institutions 9
84-226 International Relations 9
84-275 Comparative Politics 9
Data Science / Economics Requirement (9 units)

Students must complete one course (9 units) from the following list of courses offered Carnegie Mellon University’s Pittsburgh or Qatar campus.  Students may take this course before or after participating in the CMU/WSP.  

84-110 Foundations of Political Economy 9
84-267 Data Science for Political Science 9
36-202 Methods for Statistics and Data Science 9
73-102 Principles of Microeconomics 9
73-103 Principles of Macroeconomics 9
73-104 Principles of Microeconomics Accelerated 9