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Policy Studies

Do you want your career to have impact?
Are you interested in achieving a more sustainable society?
Do you want to study with people who share your passion?

Discover how to make change happen with a degree in Policy Studies! With a focus on sustainability, our degree program equips you with the knowledge, insights, and skills to make a difference in your communities and beyond.

Graduates from the Policy Studies program will contribute to society’s well-being, able to promote community goals like increasing urban agriculture and protecting urban ecosystems. Policy Studies skills can also be used in the private sector, where there is a growing demand for people capable of developing a corporate sustainability strategy or starting a green business.

Sustainability initiatives that have gained in popularity and importance include:

  • Urban Agriculture
  • Bike Lanes & Light Rail
  • Affordable Housing & Net-Zero Buildings
  • Alternative Energy
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Green Entrepreneurship & Clean Technology

Sustainability policy can make these innovations a reality and you can be part of these changes with a degree in Policy Studies.

The major and minor in Policy Studies are both interdisciplinary and applied. During the degree, you will work with sustainability policy practitioners on current community-based projects. At the same time, you will learn about policy from the perspective of economics, environmental studies, philosophy, political science, and psychology, developing the critical and ethical thinking skills necessary to successfully engage with key sustainability issues.

For KPU students who are already declared in a different program, the Policy Studies minor enables you to discover and build on your passion for sustainability and sustainability policy.  Whether you are in political science, geography, philosophy, sustainable agriculture, urban ecosystems, or another KPU program, you can add the Policy Studies minor to your credential.  Please speak with your academic advisor about this option.

In this section

Student Profile

Successful students in Policy Studies are looking for a field of study that allows them to engage with challenging sustainability problems, such as those related to climate change, environmental degradation and urbanization. Our students share a desire to apply their theoretical learning to practical problem-solving as well as a passion to bring about positive change.

Career Opportunities

Policy Studies graduates will begin rewarding careers as policy analysts, sustainability researchers, sustainability program coordinators or consultants with all levels of government, as well as not-for-profit organizations and the private sector.

Graduates of this interdisciplinary degree will also be ready to succeed in further studies at graduate school or law school.

Last Updated: 14-Jun-2016

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