Policy and Community Development Bachelor's Degree

Building a Better Tomorrow

A degree in policy and community development prepares smart leaders to empower and support healthy communities and smart policies

In the past few years, we've learned to live with a global pandemic and a divisive political environment. We've seen income disparities grow wider and have witnessed social uprisings. All have a profound effect on the financial, physical, and social wellbeing of our communities. How do we leverage this moment to recommit to racial, economic, and environmental justice? How do we make communities work better and be healthier places to live, work, and play? What policies help us get there?

Concentrations

Law

Develop expertise in the foundations of law. Review civil rights and liberties. Learn about the legal process. Critically evaluate laws, policies, and programs and their impact on society, social justice, and environmental justice. The law concentration prepares you for law school and a career in law or legal aid. You can get pre-law advising in this and any other concentration if you're planning to apply to law school.

Not interested in law school, you’ll gain a solid foundation for your advanced studies in public policy, as well as be prepared for professional careers in political organizations, criminal justice, social justice, or public service. Choose from 11 different courses to customize your law concentration.

Environment

Develop expertise in the foundations of environmental policy. The environment concentration prepares you for a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy, Sustainable Communities, and other similar programs, as well as professional careers in environmental justice, environmental non-profits, corporate sustainability, and environmental policy.

You’ll study the laws, regulations, and policy apparatus that organizations and governments use to manage environmental issues. You’ll explore how environmental policy balances the protection, conservation, and sustainability of natural resources with affordable energy and economic growth while understanding how human activities impact the environment. Choose from 19 different courses to customize your environment concentration.

Health

Learn to apply skills in policy and community development to health. Develop foundational knowledge in public health. Focus on improving people’s physical and mental well-being in a specific geographic region. Examine social determinants of health (including health inequalities) and their policy implications. Take a population-health-environment approach to addressing community health needs. Build a course of study that focuses on improving health care, one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. and the global economy.

The health concentration prepares you for careers in community health or for a Master’s degree in Public Health. Choose from 14 different courses to customize your health concentration.

A Masters Degree in Your Plans?

Earn an Accelerated MS degree in sustainable communities, environmental and energy policy or industrial heritage and archaeology. You can do it in just one additional year at Michigan Tech with your BS in policy and community development.

4+
faculty-led study away programs
90%

of undergraduates involved in research

Tomorrow Needs Policy and Community Development Experts

The expertise of policy and community development professionals is crucial for promoting social equity and reducing disparities. These professionals can navigate diverse stakeholder perspectives and interests, mediate conflicts, promote collaboration, and build consensus. Experts analyze complex data and conduct thorough needs assessments leading to evidence-based policies and programs that uplift marginalized groups, bridge the socioeconomic gap, and create opportunities for growth.

Be Career Ready

Career Opportunities for Policy and Community Development Majors

Growth is strong in several careers policy and community development degree holders gravitate to. Community health educator jobs will grow 12%, fundraiser jobs will grow 11%, and social and community service manager jobs will grow 12%. Career opportunities include, but are not limited to:

Attorney
Budget Analyst
Case Manager
City Planner/Developer
Community Health Workers
Consultant
Data Analyst
Fundraiser
Health Education Specialist
Housing Administrator
Land Use Specialist
Law Enforcement
Lobbyist
Non-Profit Administrator
Policy Analyst
Public Relations
Real Estate
Regional Planner
Social and Community Service Manager
Social Worker
Transportation Logistics
Urban Design/Downtown Development
Urban and Regional Planner
Zoning Administrator

Companies Hiring Policy and Community Development Majors

These are just some of the organizations hiring policy and community development majors:

Advocacy organizations
Consulting companies
Corporate social responsibility/outreach departments
County, state, federal government
Diversity/Equity/Inclusion offices
Economic development agencies
Environmental agencies
Historic preservation agencies
Housing authorities and real estate firms
Law firms and consulting firms
Non-Profit organizations
Parks and recreation departments
Planning and development agencies
Public health agencies
Public/Private partnerships
Public utilities
Regulatory agencies
Transportation commissions
Think tanks

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying policy and community development at Michigan's flagship technological university

Preview image for Michigan Tech Policy and Community Development Major video

"You do policy research, which is researching how governments make decisions, why governments make decisions. And so it's a lot easier to both make effective policy and hold ineffective policy accountable if there’s actual hard data to back up why it is or isn’t effective."Eric Boyer-Cole '22, BS Policy and Community Development

Study Policy and Community Development at a Technological University

Learn how to apply technology to solve challenges and issues in public policy and sustainable community development. Gain skills to work successfully in diverse teams. Build knowledge and research foundations required to succeed in graduate school, research, or the job market. With faculty that also serve as your research advisors and mentors, you’ll conduct research that makes a real difference in communities.

Get personalized attention: With a student:faculty ratio of 4:1, our smaller department ensures your academic advisors and professors know you and understand your interests and needs. You can receive the guidance you need in a timely fashion. They can better help pair you with research, internship, and job opportunities that meet your needs and provide valuable experience.
Customize your social science education: Tailor your degree to fit your pathway. At Michigan Tech, our programs span anthropology, policy and community development, social science, and sustainability science and society. That interdisciplinary approach gives you exposure to different areas of the social sciences. Choose from 6 different minors in the department (American Studies, Global Community Development Partnerships, Global Studies, Law and Society, and Public History, Social and Behavioral Studies), or add any one of 80+ minors across the university.
Study Abroad: Take part in one of our faculty-led study away/abroad programs. Study sustainability in Costa Rica or the Western USA via Amtrak.
Jumpstart Your Career: You'll complete at least one capstone co-op, internship, or research project to deepen your learning and build your resume. Position yourself for many impactful jobs with a certificate in public policy. Get a master's in just one additional year in environmental and energy policy and boost your earnings potential and employment options.
Student enrichment: Expand yourself beyond the classroom with foreign languages, sustainability demonstration house, and undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Majors in Social Sciences

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem.
Just declare the General Sciences and Arts major, give yourself time, and decide when you arrive on campus.
To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Undergraduate Minors

Enhance your knowledge beyond your field of study. Explore a passion outside your major. Students from all majors can add a minor in the Social Sciences. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

American Studies
Global Community Development Partnerships
Global Studies
Historical Studies
Law and Society
Social and Behavioral Studies

Opportunities

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your policy and community development skills at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to empower and support healthy communities and smart policies.

"What you’re going to be doing in the workforce is helping people enact change. You already have experience doing that before you graduate."Anna Kavanaugh, Policy and Community Development