University of Arizona

What you'll study

The PPE degree blends core courses from three departments to develop critical thinking, quantitative literacy and policy-oriented analysis. You will study foundational topics in each field alongside interdisciplinary seminars and a capstone experience.

• Philosophy: courses typically include logic and critical reasoning, ethics, political philosophy (justice, rights, democratic theory), epistemology and philosophy of law.
• Politics: you'll cover American and comparative government, political theory, public policy, international relations, and research methods and statistics for political science.
• Economics: study microeconomics and macroeconomics, intermediate theory, econometrics, public economics and applied policy analysis.
• Quantitative and research methods: emphasis on econometrics, statistical methods for social sciences, data analysis and applied empirical projects.
• Interdisciplinary seminars and capstone: seminars that integrate all three disciplines and a senior capstone or practicum project which can involve policy briefs, empirical research, or internships.
• Electives and minors: students often take elective courses in public administration, environmental policy, law, business or area studies; many combine PPE with a minor in a complementary field.

Entry requirements

Admission to the University of Arizona follows standard undergraduate procedures. Applicants must hold a high school diploma (or equivalent) and submit a completed application to the university. Strong preparation in mathematics, social studies and writing is recommended.

• Academic preparation: successful applicants typically demonstrate strong grades across a rigorous secondary-school curriculum including mathematics and humanities.
• Standardised testing and documents: follow university guidance on standardised tests if applicable, transcripts and any required supplementary materials.
• English language proficiency: international students must meet the university's English-language requirements through recognized tests or other accepted measures.
• Major declaration: some PPE programmes require completion of introductory courses in economics, political science and philosophy or a minimum GPA before declaring the major; consult departmental advising for exact prerequisites.
• Transfer students: transfer admission considers college coursework and GPA; transfer credit for introductory courses can accelerate progress in the major.

Career prospects

A PPE degree prepares graduates for a wide range of careers that value analytical thinking, clear writing and quantitative skills. Graduates often pursue roles that bridge policy, analysis and communication.

• Public sector and policy: policy analyst, legislative aide, public administration, campaign staff, local and state government roles.
• Law and advocacy: many PPE graduates go on to law school or work for non-profit organisations, think tanks and advocacy groups.
• Business and finance: consulting, market research, economic analysis and roles in financial services that require data literacy and strategic judgement.
• Research and academia: positions as research assistants or progression to graduate study (MA, MPP, PhD) in economics, political science, philosophy or related fields.
• Media and communications: journalism, public relations and roles that demand persuasive, evidence-based communication.

Why study at University of Arizona

The University of Arizona offers access to a broad range of courses across departments with faculty active in research on ethics, public policy, political behaviour and applied economics. Students benefit from interdisciplinary advising, opportunities for undergraduate research, and practicum placements through campus centres and local government connections.

• Interdisciplinary environment: close collaboration between departments gives students flexibility to tailor the programme to policy, law, or quantitative tracks.
• Applied learning: students can pursue internships with state and local agencies, research assistantships with faculty, and community-engaged projects in the Tucson region.
• Preparation for next steps: the curriculum emphasises writing, argumentation and empirical skills valued by employers and graduate programmes.
• Campus resources: career services, research centres and campus-run opportunities support networking, experiential learning and transition to professional roles or further study.