Revised 1.04.23
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REVERSE. SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
A Course of Study for
PUBLIC POLICY
The Public Policy program consists of an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary course of study that presents an
overview of the development and implementation of important public policies affecting the lives of local, regional,
and state residents. This program is designed to equip students with the skills and tools to successfully engage in civic
debate and to critically evaluate and analyze the development and implementation of substantive public policies,
while providing an opportunity to work with governmental and non-governmental organizations and agencies in a
direct way.
For additional career possibilities, visit the Career Services Center on the main campus to utilize computerized
career information systems and other valuable career resources.
PROGRAMS OFFERED
• Transfer Preparation
• Career Opportunities
DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE
Associate Degree
• Public Policy
Certificate of Achievement
• Public Policy
RELATED PROGRAM
• Political Science
ASSOCIATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
An Associate degree is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum grade point
average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) in degree applicable coursework and a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units,
including:
• Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course
was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
• Completion of one of the following general education patterns: SMC GE, CSU GE, or IGETC;
• Completion of the SMC Global Citizenship graduation requirement.
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
A Certificate of Achievement is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum overall
grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) and a designated minimum number of units, including:
• Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course
was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
• Completion of at least 50% of area of emphasis units at Santa Monica College. Department Chairs have
the discretion to waive the 50% minimum units required at SMC to meet the major or area of emphasis.
All major coursework must be completed with a “C” or better grade.
Revised 1.04.23
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REVERSE. SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
CATALOG RIGHTS
A student may satisfy the requirements of a degree that were in effect at any time of the student’s continuous
enrollment. Continuous enrollment means attendance in at least one semester (Fall or Spring) in each academic
year.
TRANSFER PREPARATION
Many colleges/universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year
college or university should complete the lower-division major requirements and the general education pattern
for the specific transfer institution. SMC has articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU campuses, as well
as several private and out-of-state institutions.
Exact major requirements for UC and CSU campuses can be found online at assist.org.
A listing of private, nonprofit California colleges and universities can be found online at aiccu.edu. For articulation
agreements between SMC and some of these institutions see smc.edu/articulation.
PUBLIC POLICY, ASSOCIATE DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate coherent and
comprehensive analyses of the public policies affecting the lives of local, regional, and state citizens and will be
equipped with the skills and resources necessary for participation in civic life including critical evaluation and
analysis of policy options, policy development and effective implementation strategies.
AREA OF EMPHASIS: (19 units)
Required Core Courses: (7 units)
POL SC 1
American and California Politics
3
or
POL SC 3
Introduction to Politics: Justice, Power and Agency
3
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POL SC 31
Introduction to Public Policy
3
POL SC 95
Experiential Learning
1
Critical Thinking and Communication:
AREA A: English Language and Critical Thinking (3 units)
BUS 32
Business Communications
3
ENGL 1
Reading and Composition 1
3
ENGL 2
Critical Analysis and Intermediate Composition
3
ENGL 31
Advanced Composition
3
HIST 47
The Practice of History
3
PHILOS 7
Logic and Critical Thinking
3
AREA B: Oral Communication/Media Literacy: (3 units)
COM ST 11
Elements of Public Speaking
3
COM ST 37
Intercultural Communication
3
JOURN 1
The News
3
MEDIA 1
Survey of Mass Media Communications
3
MEDIA 2
Reading Media: Acquiring Media Literacy Skills
3
MEDIA 10
Media, Gender, and Race
3
WGS 30
Women, Gender, and Sexuality in Popular Culture (formerly WOM ST 30)
3
Revised 1.04.23
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REVERSE. SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
SPECIALIZATION AREAS: Students are required to take 2 courses WITHIN one of the following five (5) tracks:
(6 units)
Arts and Cultural Affairs Track:
AHIS 3
Global Art History Since 1860
3
AHIS 11
Art Appreciation: Introduction to Global Visual Culture
3
AHIS 72
American Art History
3
DANCE 2
Dance in American Culture
3
DANCE 5
Dance History
3
DANCE 9
Dance Productions
3
MUSIC 30
Music History I
3
MUSIC 33
Jazz in American Culture
3
MUSIC 36
History of Rock Music
3
MUSIC 37
Music in American Culture
3
TH ART 2
Introduction to the Theatre
3
TH ART 5
History of World Theatre
3
Educational Track:
ECE 11
Child, Family and Community
3
ECE 19
Teaching in a Diverse Society
3
ECE 45
Introduction to Children with Special Needs
3
ECE 64
Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children
3
EDUC 12
Introduction to Elementary Classroom Teaching and Field Experiences
3
LING 1
Introduction to Linguistics
3
PSYCH 11
Child Growth and Development
3
Environmental Track:
BIOL 9
Environmental Biology
3
ENVRN 7
Introduction to Environmental Studies (same as ENVRN 7)
3
ENVRN 20
Environmental Ethics (same as PHILOS 20)
3
ENVRN 22
Environmental Politics and Policies (same as PL SC 22)
3
ENVRN 40
Environmental Psychology (same as PSYCH 40)
3
GEOG 7
Introduction to Environmental Studies (same as ENVRN 7)
3
GEOG 14
Geography of California
3
PHILOS 20
Environmental Ethics (same as ENVRN 20)
3
POL SC 22
Environmental Politics and Policies (same as ENVRN 22)
3
PSYCH 40
Environmental Psychology (same as ENVRN 40)
3
Public Health Track:
ECE 64
Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children
3
HEALTH 10
Fundamentals of Healthful Living
3
HEALTH 60
Multicultural Health and Healing Practices (same as NURSNG 60)
3
HEALTH 70
Integrative Health
3
NRSNG 60
Multicultural Health and Healing Practices (same as HEALTH 60)
3
NUTR 1
Introduction to Nutrition Science
3
NUTR 7
Food and Culture in America
3
PSYCH 8
Community Psychology
3
PSYCH 13
Social Psychology
3
Revised 1.04.23
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON REVERSE. SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Urban/Socioeconomic Track
AD JUS 1
Introduction to Administration of Justice
3
ECON 1
Principles of Microeconomics
3
ECON 2
Principles of Macroeconomics
3
ECON 6
Contemporary Economic Problems
3
GEOG 8
Introduction to Urban Studies (same as GEOG 8)
3
HIST 10
Ethnicity and American Culture
3
POL SC 21
Race, Ethnicity, and the Politics of Difference
3
POL SC 24
Introduction to Law
3
PSYCH 8
Community Psychology
3
PSYCH 13
Social Psychology
3
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SOCIOL 1
Introduction to Sociology
3
or
SOCIOL 1s
Introduction to Sociology - Service Learning
3
-----
SOCIOL 2
Social Problems
3
or
SOCIOL 2s
Social Problems - Service Learning
3
-----
SOCIOL 30
African Americans in Contemporary Society
3
SOCIOL 31
Latinas/os in Contemporary Society
3
SOCIOL 32
Asian Americans in Contemporary Society
3
SOCIOL 34
Racial and Ethics Relations in American Society
3
URBAN 8
Introduction to Urban Studies (same as GEOG 8)
3
