Public Policy (M.A.P.P.) - Middle East Affairs
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2025 through summer 2026. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| PPOG 500 | Introduction to Research and Writing | 3 |
| PPOG 502 | Economics and Public Policy | 3 |
| PPOG 503 | Political Philosophy | 3 |
| PPOG 504 | Leadership, Statesmanship, and Governance 1 | 3 |
| PPOG 506 | Introduction to Geopolitics and International Diplomacy 1 | 3 |
| PPOL 501 | Foundations of American Governance: An Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| PPOL 505 | Applied Public Policy Research Methods 1 | 3 |
| Thesis or Elective Courses 2,3,4 | ||
| PPOG 688 | Thesis Proposal | 3 |
| PPOG 689 | Thesis Research 5,6 | 3 |
| PPOG 690 | Thesis Defense | 0 |
| Total Hours | 27 | |
- 1
Students are strongly encouraged to take PPOG 500, PPOG 502, PPOG 503 and PPOL 501 before these courses. The content of these courses will help set a foundation for the remaining Public Policy coursework.
- 2
Students may take two electives3,4 instead of PPOG 688, PPOG 689, & PPOG 690.
- 3
Choose from the following courses: Any 500-600 level course offered by the Helms School of Government. Other 500-600 level courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- 4
Students who have obtained or are pursuing a J.D. through Liberty University may substitute electives with up to six credit hours from the following courses: LAW 501, LAW 502, LAW 531, LAW 532, LAW 581, LAW 585, LAW 601, LAW 605, LAW 610, LAW 645, LAW 721, LAW 725, LAW 741, LAW 743, LAW 745, LAW 755, LAW 760, LAW 761 or LAW 765. Non-Liberty students pursuing a J.D. or have a completed J.D. may be able to use up to 6 hours of Law credit towards this degree pending review and approval by the Liberty University School of Law.
- 5
Any student who is not ready for enrollment in PPOG 690 after completing PPOG 689 may be required, as determined by the student’s thesis chair, to repeat PPOG 689 until deemed ready for enrollment in PPOG 690.
- 6
While PPOG 689 may be taken more than once, only one enrollment in the course will be permitted to count toward degree requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Middle East Affairs Cognate | ||
| PPOG 640 | Middle East Law and Policy | 3 |
| PPOG 641 | U.S. Middle East Foreign Policy | 3 |
| PPOL 650 | International Law, Policy, and Politics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
All applicable prerequisites must be met
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 36 hours
- A maximum of 50% of the program hours may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
- 3.0 GPA
- No more than two grades of C may be applied to the degree (includes grades of C+ & C-)
- No grade of D or below may be applied to the degree (includes grades of D+ & D-)
- Degree must be completed within 5 years
- Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date
Program Offered in Online Format
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| PPOG 500 | Introduction to Research and Writing | 3 |
| PPOG 640 | Middle East Law and Policy | 3 |
| PPOL 501 | Foundations of American Governance: An Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PPOG 502 | Economics and Public Policy | 3 |
| PPOG 503 | Political Philosophy | 3 |
| PPOL 505 | Applied Public Policy Research Methods | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Third Semester | ||
| PPOG 504 | Leadership, Statesmanship, and Governance | 3 |
| PPOG 506 | Introduction to Geopolitics and International Diplomacy | 3 |
| PPOG 641 | U.S. Middle East Foreign Policy | 3 |
| PPOL 650 | International Law, Policy, and Politics | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| PPOG 688 | Thesis Proposal 1 | 3 |
| PPOG 689 | Thesis Research 1,2 | 3 |
| PPOG 690 | Thesis Defense 1,2 | 0 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Students may take two elective courses3,4 instead of PPOG 688, PPOG 689, & PPOG 690.
- 2
Any student who is not ready for enrollment in PPOG 690 after completing PPOG 689 may be required, as determined by the student’s thesis chair, to repeat PPOG 689 until deemed ready for enrollment in PPOG 690.
- 3
Choose from the following courses: Any 500-600 level course offered by the Helms School of Government. Other 500-600 level courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- 4
Students who have obtained or are pursuing a J.D. through Liberty University may substitute electives with up to six credit hours from the following courses: LAW 501, LAW 502, LAW 531, LAW 532, LAW 581, LAW 585, LAW 601, LAW 605, LAW 610, LAW 645, LAW 721, LAW 725, LAW 741, LAW 743, LAW 745, LAW 755, LAW 760, LAW 761 or LAW 765. Non-Liberty students pursuing a J.D. or have a completed J.D. may be able to use up to 6 hours of Law credit towards this degree pending review and approval by the Liberty University School of Law.