BA Public Policy at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

The core curriculum in public policy includes courses on policy innovation and analysis, politics of public policy, applied philosophy, applied economics, research design, and statistics. Our experiential education courses develop students’ teamwork, leadership, and communication skills as they produce actionable, client-centered research. UNC Public Policy offers multiple courses on global and domestic policy issues, including education, immigration, the environment, health and human rights, poverty, and national security. The mission of UNC Public Policy is to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to improve the lives of others.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Public Policy | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Required courses include PLCY 210 Policy Innovation and Analysis; PLCY 220 The Politics of Public Policy; PLCY 340 Justice in Public Policy; ECON 410 Intermediate Microeconomics; PLCY 460 Quantitative Analysis for Public Policy; PLCY 581 Research Design for Public Policy.

Career pathways

PSA is an organic voice of the undergraduate population and works with the department to maximize the short- and long-term potential of the Public Policy Department to help students achieve their academic and career goals.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level admission applies (not programme-specific): apply through UNC-Chapel Hill Undergraduate Admissions; international applicants submit an English proficiency score (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge C1/C2) unless they qualify for the waiver, and transcripts translated into English.

Domestic applicants: USD 7,230 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 in-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (NC resident rate, $3,615 per semester on the University Source

International applicants: USD 47,472 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 out-of-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (non-resident rate, $23,736 per semester on the Univ Source

First-year applicants apply for fall enrollment (fall 2027 entry); transfer applicants apply through the Common Application with decisions by April 30.

First-year Early Action (non-binding): application deadline October 15, decision by December 20 for North Carolina residents and by February 15 for all other applicants. Regular Decision: application deadline January 15, decision by March 31. Enrollment confirmation deadline for both is May 1. Apply through the Common Application. The non-refundable application fee is $85, with a fee waiver available. SAT or ACT scores are optional with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale; students below 2.8 must submit an ACT of 17 or higher or an SAT of 930 or higher.

Transfer applicants: application and fee or waiver due February 15; supporting materials and residency due March 15; decisions by April 30; enrollment confirmation by May 15. Apply through the Common Application; the non-refundable application fee is $85.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.unc.edu/

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