School of Public Policy

About the school

Among the ten UC campuses, only UC Riverside has a public policy school. It is dedicated to training the next generation of public policy leaders who will make a difference in the world. Furthermore,the school believes that the best way to solve global problems is to start at home, so it focuses primarily on providing excellent research practices along with the experienced and world-renowned faculty. Again, the students are exposed to various policy issues, ranging from poverty, inequality to climate changes and public health for better understanding in real life. Public policy prepares students for government, politics, and law careers while serving in public agencies, non-profit organisations, and private sector firms.

Location of the school

The University of California, Riverside, School of Public Policy, has seven faculty research areas and four research and initiative centres. Here are few more details about the campus location below;

Life at the School of Public Policy

The University of California, Riverside, School of Public Policy offers various campus housing options, such as Dundee, Glen, and many more, to its graduate students. Four spacious residence halls are available for incoming students, while seven campus apartments are available for other students. The accommodation offers a safe, secure, and student-centric environment. The school provides dedicated services for off-campus housing for the students of UCR.

These services can assist students in selecting from a diverse range of accommodation options. Summer housing is available for students enrolled in summer programmes. Living on campus also has various benefits, including access to in-hall tutoring and study groups, computer labs, and resident associations. Tutors and study group leaders are upper-division students who can help you with lower-division courses. Computer labs are available for all residents, and each resident receives a print quota for the year. Resident associations are student-run organisations that offer leadership opportunities and fun activities.

The university provides fancy dining and takeout options from various on-campus dining establishments and customised meal plans or special meal plans for students. The school menu offers vegetarian and vegan meals daily and gourmet meals on special holidays.

Additional benefits of studying at the School of Public Policy

Students studying at the UCR also enjoy several benefits apart from their regular studies. Students can participate in different programmes to enhance their sense of social responsibility. The UCR School of Policy’s research centres are working to solve some of the most pressing challenges the Inland Empire faces, such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and many more.

Partnering with many other policy agencies and community organisations, the centres are making a real difference in the lives of residents. Besides this, many research centres, such as the Centre for Geospatial Sciences, Centre for Social Innovation, Centre for Crime and Justice Study and many more, are located within the Riverside school of Public Policy. The Dean's Brand Ambassador Programme at the UCR School of Public Policy allows high-achieving students to develop their leadership skills, gain real-world experience, and make a difference in their community.

Admissions criteria

The following documents must be submitted when applying to The School of Public Policy. Additional documents might also be needed, depending on the programme chosen and the admissions process.

Admission requirements at the School of Public Policy include the following:

A non-refundable fee, which varies from $120-$180 A bachelor’s degree, or its equivalent, from an accredited institution. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 Transcripts with final or most recent grades for all colleges attended GRE (Please note:Although current scores are preferred, some graduate programs will accept scores taken within the last five years. The school code is 4839) GMAT test scores are also required for specific courses. Three letters of recommendation A statement of purpose and personal history statement is also required Information regarding Relevant Experience

English Language Proficiency Test Scores are required as follows: TOEFL test score, with a minimum 550 score for the TOEFL paper-delivered test and a minimum 80 score for the TOEFL iBT. IELTS score - at least 7 required

Job placements

The UCR School of Policy has prioritised the success of the students by providing career assistance during their course of study and after graduation. Some of these resources offered are Peer Academic Advisor Programme and Ambassador Programme. Few more career programmes are listed below: Internship Programme: Undergraduate and graduate students at the UCR School of Public Policy do an internship as part of their studies. The selected programme matches high-achieving students with local government agencies and commercial companies for real-life experience. Career Services: The School of Public Policy prepares its students for their future careers by providing required guidance and resources. Many companies, such as Senator Richard D. Roth, Immigrant Defenders Law Centre, and others, have selected their students.