Public Policy and Law, BS
Overview
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Law
The Public Policy and Law, BS is accepting applications for admissions effective Spring 2027.
Students in Public Policy and Law become expert in the economics of public policy in general and in its application to specific areas of interest. This concentration will expose students to the legal and institutional structures in which policies are developed, the analysis of the economic impacts of policies, and special circumstances of public policy and law pertaining to the environment, consumers, the agricultural sector, international relations, and other.
Degree Requirements
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Law
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Minimum hours required in the College of ACES: 35 hours, 20 of which must be in the Department of ACE.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Department Foundation | ||
| ACE 123 | Introduction to ACE | 2 |
| or ACES 200 | ACES Transfer Orientation | |
| ACE 100 | Introduction to Applied Microeconomics | 3 or 4 |
| or ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | |
| ECON 103 | Macroeconomic Principles | 3 |
| ACE 161 | Computer Concepts & Applications | 3 |
| or CS 105 | Intro Computing: Non-Tech | |
| ACCY 201 | Accounting and Accountancy I | 3 |
| ACE 262 | Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics I | 3 |
| Communication Option: | 3 or 6 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment | ||
| Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II | ||
| ACE 341 | Careers and Professionalism | 1 or 2 |
| ACE 300 | Intermediate Applied Microeconomics | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Coursework | ||
| Calculus Option - Select one of the following: | 4 or 5 | |
| Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus for Business I | ||
| ACE International Course or Study Abroad Experience Option - Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Experiential Learning (Study Abroad/Other Campus Study Abroad) | ||
| Environment and Development | ||
| Climate Change Economics and Policy | ||
| Global Agribusiness Management | ||
| International Business Immersion | ||
| Agriculture in Intl Dev | ||
| Policy Requirements: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Public Policy and Law | ||
| International Trade in Food and Agriculture | ||
| Agricultural and Food Policies | ||
| Law Requirements: | 9 | |
| Intro to Legal Principles | ||
| Food Law | ||
| Environmental Law | ||
| Public Policy and Law Electives | 12 | |
| Choose 12 hours of electives. You may partially fulfill these hours by completing one or more optional tracks, or by selecting courses as standalone electives. | ||
| Data Analytics Track: | 11-13 | |
| Applied Statistical Methods & Data Analytics 2 | ||
| Spreadsheet Models and Applications | ||
| Business and Industry Data Analysis | ||
| Environmental Valuation | ||
| Resource Economics Track (pick 3): | 9 or 10 | |
| Environmental Economics & Policy | ||
| Economics of Food and Environmental Justice | ||
| Natural Resource Economics | ||
| Energy Economics and Policy | ||
| Global Track (pick 3, can overlap with the ACE International Course or Study Abroad Experience Requirement): | 9-12 | |
| Economic Systems in Africa | ||
| Environment and Development | ||
| Climate Change Economics and Policy | ||
| Agriculture in Intl Dev | ||
| Additional Elective Options: | ||
| Experiencing Agritourism | ||
| Ag Policy & Leadership | ||
| Farm, Food & Environmental Policy | ||
| Principles of Public Policy | ||
| Food Marketing and Behavior | ||
| Tax Policy and Finan Planning | ||
| Agricultural Law | ||
| Corporate Food Marketing | ||
| Introduction to Law | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Sample Sequence
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Law
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
First Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 100 - Introduction to Applied Microeconomics or ECON 102 - Microeconomic Principles | 3 |
| ACE 123 - Introduction to ACE or ACES 200 - ACES Transfer Orientation | 2 |
| Composition I or Communication Option | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 161 - Computer Concepts & Applications or CS 105 - Intro Computing: Non-Tech | 3 |
| ECON 103 - Macroeconomic Principles | 3 |
| Calculus Option | 4 |
| Communication Option or Composition I | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 14 |
Second Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACCY 201 - Accounting and Accountancy I | 3 |
| ACE 203 - Introduction to Public Policy and Law | 3 |
| ACE 262 - Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics I | 3 |
| ACE 341 - Careers and Professionalism | 1 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Public Policy and Law Elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Third Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 455 - International Trade in Food and Agriculture | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Public Policy and Law Elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 300 - Intermediate Applied Microeconomics | 3 |
| ACE 303 - Intro to Legal Principles | 3 |
| ACE 456 - Agricultural and Food Policies | 3 |
| ACE International Course or Study Abroad Experience Option | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Fourth Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 406 - Environmental Law | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Public Policy and Law Elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 306 - Food Law | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Public Policy and Law Elective | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Total Hours
Total hours for all requirements: 120
Learning Outcomes
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Law
- Understand the legal framework for government institutions, regulatory systems, and the policy development process.
- Interpret and apply legal and economic principles and theories to understand interconnected problems and develop solutions that balance competing needs and points of view.
- Use appropriate analytical tools to evaluate policy design, implementation, and impact.
- Apply context appropriate skills to effectively communicate and collaborate throughout the policy development, implementation, and evaluative process with diverse and multi-disciplinary groups.
Contact Information
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Law
Agricultural Consumer Economics
Agricultural Consumer Economics Website
326 Mumford Hall
1301 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-1810
ace-aces@illinois.edu
College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences
Office of Academic Programs
128 Mumford Hall
1301 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-3380
aces-academics@illinois.edu
Advising
ACE Advising website
217-333-1810
ace-aces@illinois.edu
Admissions
ACES Undergraduate Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
217-333-3380
visitACES@illinois.edu