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Civic Leadership and Policy Studies
Where Passion Meets Policy: Preparing Tomorrow's Civic Leaders
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community and beyond? The Civic Leadership and Policy Studies (CLPS) program empowers you to turn that passion into real-world impact. Through our innovative curriculum, you'll develop the skills to analyze policies, engage in constructive dialogue, lead diverse groups, and drive social change. With hands-on learning experiences like internships and capstone projects with real clients, you'll put your skills into practice while building a powerful network.
Follow the degree as is or customize your path with concentrations in environmental policy and nonprofit leadership. Our honors degree option offers advanced coursework, and our accelerated master's options enable you to earn both degrees in just five years. With a CLPS degree, you'll be ready to launch a meaningful career in law, government, nonprofits, research, advocacy, or civic-minded private enterprise.
AREAS OF STUDY
- Policy Analysis
- Policy Research and Data Analysis
- State and Local Administration
- Nonprofit Administration
- Community Engagement
- Leadership
- Climate Change and Environmental Policy
- Community and Nonprofit Leadership
Graduate Options
Public Policy (MPP)
Public Administration (MPA)
Nonprofit Management
Law school (JD)
Urban Planning
Environmental Sustainability
Organizational Leadership
Business Administration (MBA)
Career Options
City Administration
Policy/Budget Analysis
Program Evaluation
Nonprofit Management
Law
Advocacy
Elected Official / Politician
Legislative Staff
Corporate Government Relations
What’s special about this program?
We believe every student can become an extraordinary leader, so we provide hands-on education and tangible skills and experiences that focus on applying your education in practical settings.
We’re building a new generation of inspired, educated, and empowered public servants, ready to make change happen - and restore the promise of democracy. Through our distinctive focus on civil discourse, our students learn and practice the principles of respectful dialogue, deliberative democracy, and inclusive community engagement.
For students who wish to deepen their expertise and enhance their career prospects in public service, policy analysis, or civic leadership, the Biden School offers accelerated pathways to graduate study.
Sample curriculum
FALL
UNIV101 (1CR)
|
First Year Seminar |
ENGL110 (3CR) |
First Year Writing |
UAPP110 (3CR) |
How to Change the World |
LEAD100 (3CR) |
Leadership, Integrity and Change |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Math Requirement |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Related Work - Media, Cultural, Social Justice or Sustainability |
Credits: 16
SPRING
UAPP220 (3CR) |
Citizens, Civility and Change |
LEAD101 (3CR) |
Global Contexts for Leadership |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Economics or Statistics Requirement |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
University Breadth/Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Related Work - Media, Cultural, Social Justice or Sustainability |
Credits: 15
FALL
UAPP225 or proficiency exam (3CR)
|
Crafting Public Policy |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Economics or Statistics Requirement |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Related Work - Media, Cultural, Social Justice or Sustainability |
SAMP123 (3CR)
|
University Breadth/Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
University Breadth/Elective |
Credits: 15
SPRING
UAPP325 (3CR) |
Public Policy Analysis |
LEAD300 (3CR) |
Leadership, Creativity and Innovation |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Data Analysis Requirement |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Related Work - Media, Cultural, Social Justice or Sustainability |
SAMP123 (3CR)
|
University Breadth/Elective |
Credits: 15
FALL
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Major Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Professional Communication Requirement |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
University Breadth/Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
University Breadth/Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
University Breadth/Elective |
Credits: 15
SPRING
UAPP300 (3CR) |
Field Experience |
UAPP330 (3CR) |
Public and Nonprofit Administration |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
University Breadth/Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
University Breadth/Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
University Breadth/Elective |
Credits: 15
FALL
LEAD400 (3CR) |
Leadership for the Common Good |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Major Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
University Breadth/Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
University Breadth/Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
University Breadth/Elective |
Credits: 15
SPRING
UAPP440 (3CR) |
Capstone |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Free Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Free Elective |
SAMP123 (3CR) |
Free Elective |
SAMP123 (2CR) |
Free Elective |
Credits: 14
Go Global at UD
This major is eligible for the following program:
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