The McKenna School Public Policy program is primarily designed to develop an understanding of the economic and political institutions, principles, and processes involved in public policy decision-making. The Environmental Affairs major provides additional technical and scientific knowledge and modifies the political science curriculum to better prepare students for participation in environmental affairs.

• Students are led to examine issues critically while developing a substantive knowledge of market economics and democratic-constitutional government as the context for American public policy.  Economic analysis and knowledge of political organization and politics comprise much of the intellectual framework for public policy decision-making.  The curriculum combines courses in economics and political science to help foster the development of such skills and knowledge.
• Unique Benedictine influence takes learning to a higher level. (Visit and see for yourself!)

• A nationally renowned Center for Economic and Policy Education which features a political thought and public policy speaker series, seminar, and biennial conference which directly support the political science and public policy majors’ curriculums: Civitas Forum, the Culture and Policy Conference, the Duquesne Club Lecture, the Government and Political Education Series, and the Alex G. McKenna Economic Education Series.
• George Washington Fellowships
• Students may join Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society and Omicron Delta Epsilon, the economics Greek club.
• Nationally competitive Mock Trial Team
• 3-3 program with DuquesneLawSchool
• Practical work experience through internships that we help you secure via an outstanding career services office and a strong network of McKennaSchoolalumni

• Great law and graduate school placements! Recent graduates have gone onto CarnegieMellonUniversity’s Heinz School, IndianaUniversity’s KellySchool, the Universityof Pittsburgh’s GSPIA, Georgetown Law School, VirginiaTech
• Prepares you for a full life, personally and professionally, by nurturing your spirit as well as your intellect