University of Pittsburgh campus

Arts & Humanities

BA Public Policy at University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh, United States

Programme overview

Students will learn how leaders at various levels of government assess and address contemporary challenges; how public policy processes work; and how to analyze policy issues from a range of ideological, demographic, and socioeconomic perspectives.

Faculty: School of Public & International Affairs  |  Duration: 42 credits  |  Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Total Major Credits (excluding the ECON and STAT pre-requisites) : 42 credits *At least 120 credits are required for graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

You may also download the complete Bachelor's Degree Handbook for additional information about the admissions process, registering for courses, advising, and more.

Domestic applicants: USD 21,594 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident undergraduate tuition for the School of Public and International Affairs, Pittsburgh campus, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees, housing and other expenses are listed separately and excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 43,328 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) undergraduate tuition for the School of Public and International Affairs, Pittsburgh campus, full-time two terms (fall and spring); Pitt charges non-PA residents the out-of-state rate. Tuition only; mandatory fees, housing a Source

First-year entry for Fall 2027 is open; the University operates on rolling admission with no set application deadline. Fall term begins August 23 and spring term begins January 10 for the admitted first-year cycle shown.

Transfer students may apply for fall, spring and summer terms (Swanson School of Engineering also lists Fall, Spring and Summer entry; Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Education and Pharmacy are Fall only).

First-year applicants apply with the University of Pittsburgh Application or the Common Application (neither is preferred); the application fee is $55. There is no set deadline (rolling admission). The STARS self-reported academic record is required for first-year applicants except international students.

The SAT/ACT is optional: the test-optional policy runs through fall 2028 for first-year and transfer applicants, including international and homeschool applicants. Proof of English proficiency is required from international students.

International first-year applicants for fall who complete their application before February 1 are automatically reviewed for international student scholarships; international undergraduate applicants must apply by April 1 for fall and summer entry and by October 1 for spring entry.

Transfer applications are on rolling admission in the Dietrich School, Business, General Studies and Public Health (recommended complete by July 30 for fall and December 1 for spring; international deadlines May 1 fall, October 1 spring, February 15 summer). Swanson Engineering: Fall July 30, Spring December 1, Summer April 1 (international May 1, October 1, February 15). Nursing: Fall April 1, Spring November 1 (international Fall April 1, Spring October 1). Computing and Information: Fall early March 1, final May 1 international and June 15 domestic, Spring October 1, Summer February 1. Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and Education programmes: Fall only, March 1 priority deadline. Pharmacy applies through PharmCAS.

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