Tulane University featured its coordinate major in social policy and practice (SPP) this week, a 30-hour program that includes three required courses and seven electives that can be paired with sociology, economics and political science majors.
“How can the social sciences help inform policy, and how do existing policies help explain social trends?” assistant professor of Sociology and director of the coordinate major Stephen Ostertag said.
“The idea is really to make that connection between using social sciences and policy stronger.”
The program has approximately 20 students and in last month graduated its first six students. The program focuses on the theories and methods used in development of social policy and in the welfare field. The program is multidisciplinary, so it allows areas that may focus on criminology, immigration and issues relating to poverty and inequality.
“Every SPP major is passionate about something. It’s cool to be in classes with peers who care about what they’re learning because it sets the tone for the classroom environment,” senior Allie Blum said.
Blum also said the individualized nature of the major was appealing and allowed her to shape the program to her future. She plans to attend graduate school and plans to pursue multiple career options.
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