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If you grew up watching TV shows like The Wire, West Wing, House of Cards, or even Parks and Recreation, you may have felt their energy and possibility and wondered how to be a part of solving deep-rooted societal problems in education, health, environmental, or social policy. Some assume that the only path to this space is through public office. If entering politics is not for you, however, you can become an expert in public policy, and translate that into a career.

Many policy professionals enter the field because of a deep interest in a particular content area: for instance, if you develop an early passion to battle climate change, you may decide to pursue a career in environmental policy. Others begin with a more general interest in public service, or develop policy interests through coursework in political science or public administration. Here are five tips for entering the world of public policy.

1. Look for an undergraduate and/or graduate program in public administration, policy, economics, or law. Choose a program with a relationships to the policy world via internships, job placements, practicums, and faculty with both high academic credentials and practitioner experience.
2. Go after internships in the policy field, in government, think tanks, or nonprofit organizations.
3. Volunteer for a nonprofit working to solve social problems or serve on the board of a local government agency.
4. Research careers titles such as “legislative aide,” “policy analyst,” “lobbyist,” “budget analyst,” or “market analyst.”
5. Hone up your statistical abilities with coursework on data analysis and program evaluation.

The School of Public Affairs (SPA) at American University offers multiple options for pursuing a career in public policy, including undergraduate coursework and certificates and a highly-ranked Masters in Public Policy (MPP) program. Our location in Washington, D.C. means that our students have access to professors immersed in the world of national and international policy, as well as internships and placements at all levels of government, thinktanks, and nonprofit organizations. Please choose a path below to learn more.

BA: Political Science
BA: Interdisciplinary Studies
BS: Data Sciences
Certificate in Politics, Policy, and Law
MPP: Masters of Public Policy
MA: Political Science