BA Public Policy at University of Kentucky

Programme overview

Public policy is an interdisciplinary program that applies tools from economics, political science, finance, and management to help students solve problems that matter to people and communities. Students in public policy hone their skills in internships, research, and leadership roles at UK and leave prepared to tackle society’s most pressing issues with integrity.

Faculty: Martin School of Public Policy and Administration | Duration: 120 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall, Spring, Summer | Location: Lexington, KY, United States

What you will study

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy program prepares students to analyze and influence the policies that shape communities, governments, and economies. Students develop a deep understanding of policy design, implementation, and evaluation through coursework in economics, political science, ethics, and data analysis.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University/college-level requirements (not programme-specific): official high school transcript with pre-college curriculum; ACT or SAT optional (test-optional admission). Applies to admission to Martin School of Public Policy and Administration. Programme-specific requirements: Students apply and enter this program as “Pre-Public Policy” majors. Students are fully admitted to the program when they complete the pre-major requirements with a 2.75 GPA. View specifics in the Academic Catalog. Accelerated 3+3 Program with J. David Rosenberg College of Law In the spring semester of their first year, Public Policy students who plan to pursue law school may apply for the Martin School’s accelerated 3+3 program with the J. David Rosenberg College of Law. Students must have Pre-Public Policy as a primary major, a GPA of at least 3.65, and be on track to complete all major requirements by the end of the third year. Students who complete the program will be eligible to apply to the J. David Rosenberg College of Law during their junior year. If accepted, students take the first year law courses during their senior year.

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.

First-year entry term: Fall 2027 (applications open August 1). Transfer entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer.

UK is test-optional for admission and scholarships through the 2028-29 academic year; most freshman applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

First-year applicants for Fall 2027: Early Action deadline December 1 (recommended for Lewis Honors College and competitive and academic scholarships); Regular Decision deadline February 15. Application fee is $50 for domestic and $60 for international applicants. Apply with the UK application or the Common App.

Transfer applicants: application deadlines are August 1 for Fall (scholarship deadline June 15), November 15 for Spring and April 15 for Summer. The application fee is $50, waived for applications fully submitted on listed Transfer Tuesday dates.

Graduate applicants apply online through The Graduate School application system; deadlines and supplemental materials are set by each programme page. Minimum undergraduate GPA 2.75, minimum graduate GPA 3.0, and 2.5 for graduate certificate applicants (programmes may require more).

Apply through the official page: https://academics.uky.edu/apply

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