The undergraduate program in planning, public policy and management (PPPM) provides an interdisciplinary liberal arts education that prepares students for work in the fields of planning, policy and public and nonprofit management. Our program is commited to applying the knowledge and tools of the social and natural sciences to achieving societal visions and goals. Our concerns are issues of the day and the emerging problems of tomorrow in our community, nationally and globally. Our approach is action oriented, interdisciplinary and focuses on solving real-world problems.
The faculty has expertise in a wide range of disciplines from economics and political science to biology. Admission to the program is limited to create an environment that offers close student-faculty collaboration. Through courses and other learning opportunities, such as internships and field programs, we strive to create an exciting and challenging educational climate. We seek to involve students fully in the life of the department—to engage each student in the process of individual inquiry and problem solving which is, ultimately, the richest source of learning.
A Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in PPPM provides a broad liberal arts education as well as a sound basis for graduate study in fields such as urban planning, public policy and management, business, law, journalism, public health and social welfare. In addition, graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in public service, nonprofit and private firms that address issues allied to planning, and public policy and management.
The PPPM major is open to upper-division students. Students should apply for admission for the term in which they achieve upper-division standing (90-105 credits). All students must complete the application form that outlines proposed coursework. This form will map out the student’s plan for orderly completion of the PPPM major. Students are encouraged to review their proposed course of study with the PPPM Internship and Undergraduate Advising GTF in 121B Hendricks Hall. Students must complete at least 30 credits (about half) of the course work for the major after admission.
The department strongly encourages applications from individuals regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or ability. We recognize that affirmative action and equal opportunity begin with the development of professionals who represent a diversity of ideas and cultures. The department encourages applicants who have demonstrated scholarly ability and who have some experience, either paid or volunteer, in public service. We also welcome older students with life experience and students wishing to participate in leadership opportunities in the university community. Preference in admission is given to applicants who have completed a majority of the university’s general-education group requirements and have a grade point average of 3.00 or higher.
Students interested in the PPPM major may declare themselves pre-PPPM majors. Advising for pre-PPPM majors and for other students interested in the program is provided by the department by the Internship and Undergraduate Advising GTF in 121B Hendricks Hall (346-3604), or email: pppmadv@uoregon.edu . Students should meet with the Internship and Undergraduate Advising GTF prior to declaring a pre-PPPM major.
The following course is a pre-requisite to a required PPPM core course (PPPM 330) and should be taken prior to applying for the major:
EC 201 Introduction to Economic Analysis: Microeconomics
In addition, because a broad liberal-arts background is important for studying in PPPM, the following courses are strongly recommended as background to the major.
EC 202 Introduction to Economic Analysis: Macroeconomics
PS 201 United States Politics
PS 203 Intro to State and Local Government
SOC 207 Social Inequality
SOC 304 Community, Environment, and Society
Math 111 College Algebra
CIS 110 Information Technology
GEOG 141 The Natural Environment
Sample 2-Year Program (for the pre-major schedule)
This two-year sample program outlines a suggested schedule for pre-PPPM majors. This incorporates strongly recommended background courses for PPPM; as of the time of this writing, it allows for completion of university writing, the group-satisfying and multicultural general education requirements, and a portion of the B.A. language or the B.S. math requirements. (Check university advising materials for updates to these requirements.)
Freshman year, fall term 14-16 credits
WR 121-College Composition I 4
GEOG 141-The Natural Environment^ 4
Arts and Letters group-satisfying course 3-4
Multicultural requirement course 3-4
Freshman year, winter term 14-16 credits
PS 201-United States Politics# 4
SOC 207-Social Inequality# 4
Arts and Letters group-satisfying course 3-4
Multicultural requirement course 3-4
Freshman year, spring term 16 credits
WR 122 or 123-College Comp II or III 4
PS 203-Intro to State and Local Government# 4
CIS 110-Information Technology 4
MATH 111-College Algebra 4
Sophomore year, fall term 15-16 credits
PSY 201-Mind and Brain^ 4
PPPM 201-Intro to PPPM 4
EC 201-Intro to Econ Analysis: Micro# 4
Arts and Letters group-satisfying course 3-4
Sophomore year, winter term 16 credits
PSY 202-Mind and Society^ 4
EC 202-Intro to Econ Analysis: Macro# 4
B.A. language or B.S. math req. 4
Elective** 4
Sophomore year, spring term 16 credits
SOC 304-Community, Environment & Society 4
PPPM 280-Intro to the Nonprofit Sector* 4
B.A. language or B.S. math req. 4
Elective** 4
^Satisfies Gen Ed Science group requirement.
#Satisfies Gen Ed Social Science group requirement.
*Meets Gen Ed Social Science group requirements; note only 1 course may be used for both major and group requirements.
**Consider courses in scientific, technical or journalistic writing, additional courses in math, computer science, economics, political science or sociology.
The department accepts applications for admission to the major during fall, winter, and spring terms. Admission to the major is effective in the term following that in which the application is accepted. To be considered for admission, students must submit the following materials:
Completed application form;
Transcripts of all colleges and universities (unofficial transcripts are ok);
A brief resume of educational, employment history, and volunteer history;
A personal statement describing career goals and how the major in PPPM will help achieve those goals. The statement should be limited to 1-2 typed double-spaced pages.
The university requires a total of 180 credits for an undergraduate degree; the PPPM major requires a minimum of 60 credits to satisfy major requirements. These include:
28 credits of required core courses: Core courses are considered central to the major. Together, these courses expose students to the broad field of planning, public policy and management, and they provide the foundation for more advanced work in a focal area.
32 elective credits (elective courses, internship, thesis): Developing sufficient background to work in the fields of planning, public policy and public and nonprofit management requires solid academic preparation, individualized inquiry and experiential learning. The elective requirements for the major provide for flexibility and balance in achieving these learning goals.
Pending approval, the PPPM Major is changing! Requirements are becoming more flexible, with increasing options for you to complete the major. How you satisfy the 28 core credit requirement depends on when you are admitted to the major; the elective credit requirements are the same for all majors (with one exception noted below).
See the section discussing required core courses below that applies to you, depending on whether you were admitted to (or plan to be admitted to) the major before or after Spring 2010.
--> PPPM Core Course Requirements -- if your first term in the major is Spring 2010 or before you may satisfy your core course requirements as follows (28 credits total)
Overview Courses -- take 3 of the following
PPPM 201 Introduction to PPPM (4 credits/ fall term). Overview of problems addressed and approaches to these problems in the fields of planning, public policy and public management.
PPPM 280 Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector (4 credits/ spring term). Introduction to the challenges faced by nonprofit organizations: structure, governance, resource development and planning.
PPPM 325 Community Leadership and Change (4 credits/ fall term). Explores issues of sustainable change at the community level by examining topics such as transportation, environment, housing issues.
PPPM 326 Regional Leadership and Change (4 credits/ winter term, not offered 2009-10). Examines economic, sociocultural, and political forces that affect regions, including institutions and leadership roles.
PPPM 327 Global Leadership and Change (4 credits/ spring term). Explores issues of leadership in global social economics, and ecological sustainability, including population, technology and diversity.
PPPM 407 Introduction to Urban Planning (4 credits/ winter term, offered in 2010-11).
Skills Courses -- take PPPM 413, and either PPPM 414 or PPPM 434
PPPM 413 Quantitative Methods (4 credits/ fall term). The course is designed to prepare students to use data analysis techniques to answer policy and management questions.
PPPM 414 Introduction to Research Design (4 credits/not offered 2009-10). An overview of the framing and design of research projects.
PPPM 434 Urban GIS (4 credits/winter term). Introduces students to basic application of GIS in areas of environmental, demographic, sustainability and transportation-related research.
Capstone Courses -- take both
PPPM 330 Policy and Planning Analysis (4 credits/ winter term). Examines the approaches and methods for analyzing public policy and plans, including case studies and examples.
PPPM 494 Practice of Leadership and Change (4 credits/ spring term). Examines the principles of leadership and change through discussions, guest lectures, and personal reflection.
PPPM majors must take core courses “graded” and receive a C- or better .
--> PPPM Core Course Requirements -- if your first term in the major is Summer 2010 or after -- the following core courses are required (28 credits)
Overview Courses
PPPM 201 Introduction to PPPM (4 credits/ fall term).Overview of problems addressed and approaches to these problems in the fields of planning, public policy and public management.
PPPM 280 Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector (4 credits/ spring term). Introduction to the challenges faced by nonprofit organizations: structure, governance, resource development and planning.
PPPM 407 Introduction to Urban Planning (4 credits/ winter term, offered in 2010-11).
Skills Courses
PPPM 413 Quantitative Methods (4 credits/ fall term). The course is designed to prepare students to use data analysis techniques to answer policy and management questions.
PPPM 434 Urban GIS (4 credits/winter term). Introduces students to basic application of GIS in areas of environmental, demographic, sustainability and transportation-related research.
Capstone Courses
PPPM 330 Policy and Planning Analysis (4 credits/ winter term). Examines the approaches and methods for analyzing public policy and plans, including case studies and examples.
PPPM 494 Practice of Leadership and Change (4 credits/ spring term). Examines the principles of leadership and change through discussions, guest lectures, and personal reflection.
PPPM majors must take core courses “graded” and receive a C- or better.
--> Elective Credit Requirements -- these quidelines apply to all majors regardless of when the date you enter the major (with one exception noted below): You may satisfy this 32 credit requirement with any combination of the following
up to 32 PPPM elective course credits (maximum of 4 credits below the 300-level)
1 credit Internship Preparation (PPPM 412)
4 to 12 credits Internship (PPPM 404; prerequisite PPPM 412)
up to 8 credits Honor's Thesis option (PPPM 403; minimum GPA requirement and department approval required)
For students entering the major prior to Summer 2010 only: up to 8 credits of related elective courses in other departments (requires PPPM advisor approval).
Focal Areas for PPPM Elective Courses: All PPPM students are encouraged to take 3 or more elective courses focussed on a substantive policy area or set of skills in planning and public policy in order to develop a personalized area of expertise. Among the department’s strengths are:
land use and the built environment
environmental planning and policy
social and health policy
community development
nonprofit management and philanthropy
In addition, students can work with the Internship and Undergraduate Advising GTF to develop a focal area customized to their particular interests.
Internship: Internships are highly recommended for all PPPM students. Internships offer students real-world opportunities to explore and clarify their focal areas and career goals, apply academic learning, develop new skills, and network with professionals. This career-building experience prepares students for fellowships, professional positions and further academic study.
Students may complete internships with local, regional, national, or international organizations on a part-time or full-time basis. Although internships are not a requirement, students may register for 4 to 12 elective credits of PPPM 404 Internship (1 credit = 30 hours of internship during a 10-week term). PPPM 412 Internship Development is a one-credit course that focuses on strategies and tools for planning a successful internship and is a pre-requisite for PPPM 404 Internship. Students interested in developing an internship should enroll in PPPM 412 and meet with the Internship & Undergraduate Advising GTF (121B Hendricks Hall; email interns@uoregon.edu).
Students also have the opportunity to work on applied research projects through the Community Planning Workshop (PPPM 419) using up to 10 credits towards their elective credit requirement. In this workshop, students form small research teams to apply research and development techniques that lead to the identification of tangible solutions to real community problems. Admission is by application only; a limited number of undergraduate students with strong backgrounds are admitted.
Honors Program: The Honors Program in PPPM offers qualified students a challenging academic experience, opportunities for independent work, and interaction with faculty members. The program's bachelor's degree with honors revolves around a thesis project carried out under the direction of a faculty member. The student must have an overall GPA of 3.75 in order to choose the Honors Program.
Thesis: The thesis is a two-term self-directed research project culminating in a final paper. Students may pursue an undergraduate thesis in PPPM if they are accepted in the PPPM Honors Program, or if they are enrolled in the Robert D. Clark Honor’s College. Students that wish to pursue the thesis option, will need to: (1) identify a faculty member willing to supervise their thesis work, and (2) obtain permission from the Undergraduate Director to register for thesis classes. Students typically work with a faculty member with whom they have taken courses related to their thesis topic. Students may not pursue the thesis option without prior approval and should plan their course preparation prior to the thesis carefully with a faculty advisor. The thesis is ideal for students with strong analytical skills wishing to explore a specific topic in detail. It is particularly recommended for students who are considering going on to graduate-level education. Students should complete the skills courses PPPM 413 (Quantitative Methods) and PPPM 434 (Urban GIS) prior to beginning their thesis. The thesis course sequence is:
The Michael Hibbard award is given to the graduating student who demonstrates exceptional academic ability. All students are eligible for consideration.
Last Updated November 5, 2009
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