Public Policy
"UCCS offers something
for everyone regardless of major and future career goals. It gives students
the opportun-
ity to learn about, and to take part in, the shaping of California's
public policy."
UCCS students enroll in academic and internship classes while working 24-40 hours per week in internship placements in the State's capitol.
Contact the UCCS Academic Program Office with any questions, or for more information.
Apply Now!
Program Information
Program Basics
2007-2008 Academic Programs
Academic Overview Presentation
Roll Up Your Sleeves and Take Your Seat at the Center of California Politics
Develop a systematic understanding of public policy and political processes in California. Class readings and discussions focus on California's public policy challenges in the face of growth, inequality, and globalization.
Work as an intern doing meaningful policy work in a lawmaker's office, state department, or for another Capitol community player.
Learn about state policy and politics in small group discussions with state newsmakers.
Choose a policy topic and write a policy analysis.
About the academic programs...
Students with all interests are encouraged to apply for ANY UC program term. While the academic focus shifts from term to term, the program is designed to benefit students with any policy interests during every term. Students have the opportunity to tailor their internships and policy papers towards their individual personal academic and career goals regardless of the academic focus in a given term
For more detailed information click here or link here to the syllabi.
Spring Quarter 2008
*****Deadline to apply extended to March 7, 2008!
Academic emphasis:
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC FINIANCE & ECONOMY IN A GLOBAL AGE
Faculty: Gary Dymski, UCCS Director and UCR Professor of Economics; Martin Helmke, Former Staff, Department of Finance and Senate staffer; Jock O’Connell, California trade consultant; John Griffing, Director of Public Service, UCCS, former Budget Director; Art Amos, Instructor, UCCS
This course presents a framework for understanding the dynamics of the California economy. It then analyses the Golden State’s budgetary needs and its capacity to generate revenues to support these governmental services. This course is likely to coincide with the occurrence of a major funding crisis for California’s budget, and will feature interactions with state and national experts. As above, there is a focus on policy analysis; students are asked to understand what policy analysis and to master the writing of one.
Summer 2008
*****Undergraduate application deadline March 7, 2008
*****Graduate/Medical student deadline March 15, 2008
Academic emphases:
PUBLIC POLICY, HEALTH POLICY and PUBLIC AFFAIRS JOURNALISM
PUBLIC POLICY
Course: SACRAMENTO SEMINAR
Students will develop a systematic understanding of public policy and political processes in California. Class readings & discussions focus on California’s public policy challenges in the face of growth, inequality and globalization. Each student will write a policy analysis paper on the issue of his/her choice, guided by instructors Gary Dymski and Art Amos. Designed for students with all public-policy interests!
HEALTH POLICY
Course: CURRENT TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA HEALTH POLICY
This class is intended to give students a foundation in the key elements of California’s health care financing and delivery system, an understanding of the role of key stakeholders in providing services and in shaping health care policy, and the political and financial challenges encountered in reforming the delivery of health care services to all Californians, including those without health insurance. In addition to its health policy component, this course also features public policy analysis sessions that help students acquire a systematic understanding of policy analysis, and also assist them in developing their own policy analyses of California-related policy issues.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS JOURNALISM
Click here for information on the Public Affairs Journalism program.
Sample Internship Placements
Placements are tailored to student's interest, skills and background. See more placements.
Office of Governor Schwarzenegger: Constituent Affairs, Appointments, Communications, Press, Office of the First Lady, Advance Team.
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Senators and Assembly Members: Khuel, Romero, Torlakson, Simitian, Morrow, Cox, Migden, Ortiz, Alpert, Dunn, Kuehl, Bermudez, Strickland, Runner, Coto.
Assembly Committees: Education, Governmental Organization, Judiciary, Public Safety, Joint Legislative Audit.
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State Offices: Dept. of Education, Dept. of Corrections & Rehabilitation, Public Defender's Office, CA Commission on the Status of Women, Dept. of Food and Agriculture, Air Resources Board, California Commission on the Status of Women.
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Local Government, Non-Profit Groups, and Special Interest Groups : Planning and Conservation League, Campaigns, CA Democrats, Common Cause, Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, California Medical Association Foundation, Planned Parenthood Legislative Office