Policy Studies

Welcome to the Lafayette Policy Studies program

As global challenges grow increasingly complex, the need for innovative solutions and interdisciplinary thinking becomes ever more critical. The Policy Studies program at Lafayette College empowers students to shatter disciplinary boundaries and confront these challenges head-on. This program explodes the confines of traditional “public” policy, plunging into the dynamic interplay between the public and private sectors. Recognizing that policy, as a principle of action, infiltrates every facet of society, the program cultivates a profound understanding of value creation and how the interdependence between sectors fuels or impedes prosperity.

Lafayette’s program offers a unique approach to tackling “wicked problems”—complex challenges without clear solutions—by going beyond traditional public policy and emphasizing real-world application. Its core strength lies in its multidisciplinary approach, mirroring machine learning by transferring solutions across domains. Students are equipped to forge a better future through active engagement.

Hands-on experiences are central. Immersive projects, like collaborating with the Moldovan government on its transition to a market-based system and developing a digital twin of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, provide invaluable experience. By fostering critical thinking and a problem-solving mindset, the program prepares graduates for diverse careers. Students learn to adapt and apply knowledge across fields, collaborating with AI to solve intricate problems. Graduates emerge equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of today’s world and to construct innovative solutions for human flourishing.