BA Public Policy Studies at Duke University

Programme overview

A liberal arts major whose coursework builds skills in political and economic analysis, leadership and ethical decision-making, with emphasis on critical reading, analytical thinking and concise writing.

Faculty: Sanford School of Public Policy | Department: Public Policy Studies | Study mode: full-time | Location: Durham, NC, United States

What you will study

Courses cover education and social policy, health and population, environment and energy, international development, global governance and security, civil society, and leadership and ethics. Honors thesis, Duke in DC and Duke in Glasgow study abroad, and minors/certificates available.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Trinity College of Arts & Sciences (applies to the college, not to the major; majors are declared after enrolment). First-year applicants submit the Common Application with high school transcript, secondary school report with counselor recommendation and two teacher recommendations; SAT/ACT scores are optional (test-optional for 2026-2027). Recommended preparation is four years of English and at least three years each of mathematics, natural sciences, world language and social studies. Early Decision due November 2; Regular Decision due January 4.

First-year applicants enter in the fall; the 2026-27 admission cycle applies to the Class of 2031, whose spring-semester Duke Embark option is offered to selected students.

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate starts in August for applicants admitted in both the fall and spring rounds.

2026-27 first-year cycle: Early Decision applications are due November 2 (decisions mid-December); Regular Decision applications are due January 4 (decisions late March/early April). Transfer applications are due March 15 (submit between February 1 and March 15). The nonrefundable application fee is $85 (fee waivers available). First-year applicants apply through the Common Application or the QuestBridge Application; transfer applicants use the Duke Transfer Application or the Coalition application powered by Scoir. Duke is test-optional (SAT/ACT) for first-year and transfer applicants in 2026-27.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate 2026-27 application deadlines: Fall round Thursday, October 8, 2026; Spring round Tuesday, January 12, 2027 (applications through OTCAS). Fall applicants are notified the first week of December 2026 and spring applicants the first week of March 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.duke.edu/apply/

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