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Social Policy

The U.S. faces many social problems—such as poverty, inequality, hunger, homelessness, access to education, childcare, senior, youth and migrant services—that challenge existing knowledge, policies and institutions.  Addressing these challenges requires both the theoretical insights of multiple disciplines and the practical wisdom that derives from engagement in solving actual problems. The primary goal of the Social Policy concentration is to develop a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers that engage in place-based multi-method research that contributes to our understanding and resolution to these problems. 

Through internships, coursework and research, students in this concentration have designed Latino outreach programs, homeless youth programs, community diversity policies, home weatherization programs for the poor, and numerous other community programs and policies that are making a difference in people's lives.   

Minimum 16 credit hours of the following courses:

  • ANTH 571 - Cash, Class and Culture [3 credits]
  • AREC 554 - Rural Development Economics and Policy [3 credits]
  • ECON 535 - The Public Economy [4 credits]
  • ECON 565 - Transportation Economics [4 credits]
  • PS 579 - Topics in Public Policy and Administration [4 credits]
  • SOC 526 - Social Inequality [4 credits]
  • SOC 532 - Sociology of Aging [4 credits]
  • SOC 537 - Race and Ethnic Relations [4 credits]
  • SOC 539 - Welfare and Social Services [4 credits]
  • SOC 548 - Law and Society [4 credits]
  • SOC 550 - Sociology of Education [4 credits]
  • SOC 575 - Rural-Urban Sociology [4 credits]

Additional courses dealing with domestic policy issues andprocesses:

  • PS 514 - Interest Groups [4 credits]
  • PS 515 - Politics and Media [4 credits]
  • PS 516 - Public Opinion and Politics [4 credits]
  • PS 518 - Electoral Politics [4 credits]

Other pertinent courses at OSU may be selected subject toapproval of the MPP Committee. Decisions about the elective courseof study will be based on matching the student's needs andpreparation with the MPP program.