Bachelor's in Public Policy at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Programme overview

The BS in Public Policy prepares students for government, politics and public affairs roles in the public, nonprofit or private sector, teaching analytical methods for evaluating public problems and solutions.

Faculty: Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy | Duration: Major 53 credits (29 core, 24 elective) | Study mode: full-time | Location: New Brunswick, NJ, United States

What you will study

29-credit core (Statistics, Principles of Public Policy, Writing Reasoning and Public Policy, Public Economic Policy, public management, Research Methods, Leadership Seminar, internship or honors thesis) plus 24 credits of electives.

Career pathways

Entry-level jobs in government, politics and public affairs, or graduate study in law, politics, public administration, public affairs and public policy.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bloustein School (BS Public Policy): SAS and SEBS students apply before declaring, with prerequisite Expository Writing at C or better and good standing; transfer direct-admit students need at least 30 credits, prerequisites at C or better and an overall GPA of at least 2.50.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Fall (September) entry: first-year Early Action application due November 1, 2026 and Regular Decision due December 1, 2026 for September 2027 entry; Spring (January) entry for 2027 is open to first-year and transfer applicants to the School of Arts and Sciences, with an application due date of October 1, 2026.

New Brunswick, Fall/September 2027: first-year Early Action November 1, 2026 (decision by January 31, 2027); first-year Regular Decision December 1, 2026 (decision by February 28, 2027); all transfer applicants February 1, 2027; candidate reply date May 1, 2027. Applications after the due dates are considered on a rolling, space-available basis. Applicants must apply by December 1 to be considered for honors and merit-based scholarships.

New Brunswick, Spring/January 2027: all first-year and transfer applications due October 1, 2026; online decision December 1, 2026; candidate reply date December 7, 2026.

Applications are submitted through the Rutgers Application or the Common App. SAT and ACT scores are optional for Rutgers-New Brunswick undergraduate applicants (SAT code 2765, ACT code 2592); Rutgers maintains test-optional and test-blind policies through 2027. Application fee is paid online by credit card or by mailed check; fee waivers are accepted from the National School Lunch Program, military or veteran applicants, College Board, NACAC, ACT and EOF.

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

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