Public Policy (M.A.P.P.) - Think Tank & Policy Research
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2024 through summer 2025. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Core 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 | 3 |
| PPOG 506 | Introduction to Geopolitics and International Diplomacy | 3 |
| PPOL 501 | Foundations of American Governance: An Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| PPOL 505 | Applied Public Policy Research Methods | 3 |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Think Tank & Policy Research Cognate | ||
| PPOG 600 | Think Tank, Research, Training, and Policy Development | 3 |
| PPOG 600 | Think Tank, Research, Training, and Policy Development | 3 |
| PPOG 600 | Think Tank, Research, Training, and Policy Development | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis or Elective Courses 1,2 | ||
| PPOG 688 | Thesis Proposal | 3 |
| PPOG 689 | Thesis Research 3,4 | 3 |
| PPOG 690 | Thesis Defense | 0 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
- 1
Students may take two elective courses2 instead of PPOG 688, PPOG 689, & PPOG 690
- 2
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
- 3
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
- 4
While PPOG 689 may be taken more than once, only one enrollment in the course will be permitted to count toward degree requirements
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 Resident Format
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| PPOG 500 | Introduction to Research and Writing | 3 |
| PPOL 501 | Foundations of American Governance: An Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| PPOL 505 or PPOG 506 |
Applied Public Policy Research Methods or Introduction to Geopolitics and International Diplomacy |
3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PPOG 502 | Economics and Public Policy | 3 |
| PPOG 600 | Think Tank, Research, Training, and Policy Development | 3 |
| PPOL 505 or PPOG 506 |
Applied Public Policy Research Methods or Introduction to Geopolitics and International Diplomacy |
3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| PPOG 503 or PPOG 504 |
Political Philosophy or Leadership, Statesmanship, and Governance |
3 |
| PPOG 600 | Think Tank, Research, Training, and Policy Development | 3 |
| PPOG 688 | Thesis Proposal | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| PPOG 503 or PPOG 504 |
Political Philosophy or Leadership, Statesmanship, and Governance |
3 |
| PPOG 600 | Think Tank, Research, Training, and Policy Development | 3 |
| PPOG 689 | Thesis Research 1,2,3 | 3 |
| PPOG 690 | Thesis Defense 3,4 | 0 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Students may take two additional elective courses4 instead of PPOG 688, PPOG 689, and 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
While PPOG 689 may be taken more than once, only one enrollment in the course will be permitted to count toward degree requirements.
- 4
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.