Curriculum

Required Courses

NexPoint Tower Scholars are required to enroll in the 15 credit-hour minor in Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA).

  • Principles of Public Policy (PLSC 3320) OR International Political Economy (PLSC 3389)

    • Offered through political science and is open to all students

    • Subject to course offering, ideally taken fall of second year or spring of first year

  • Gateway to Global Policymaking (PPIA 2380)
    Study the interaction of policy problems, policy tools, and organizational structures at the local, national, and international levels

    • Normally taken spring semester of second year

  • Junior Year Policy Seminar I: Theoretical Public Policy (PPIA 3301)
    Students develop critical skills in policy analysis, writing and presentation

    • Normally taken fall semester of third year

  • Junior Year Policy Seminar II: Public Policy in Professional Practice (PPIA 3302)
    Students are tasked with a real-world policy problem, work on solving that problem, and finally present a final report to a nonacademic client.

  • Directed Research Practicum (PPIA 4306)
    Students are placed with a Dallas-based client to complete research and gain experience through a practicum, building on the client experience gained in the junior-year policy seminar.

Organizations that students have been placed with include:

  • AT&T

  • City of Dallas

  • Department of Family & Protective Services

  • Emergent Risk International

  • George W. Bush Institute

  • North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO)

  • NexPoint

  • Hunt Mexico

  • Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

  • Texas 2036

  • Texas Central Partners

  • Town of Addison

  • Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Examples of policy projects include:

  • Evaluating the success of a current policy initiative and determining policy recommendations moving forward.

  • Evaluating the implementation of a new initiative – What are the local/state challenges and policies that come into play? How do you educate the community? Who is (or needs to be) involved in the process?

  • Evaluating a national/local policy and its implications for the company/organization.

  • Determining the feasibility of a private-public partnership for a new initiative and identifying relevant actors at the local, state, and federal levels.

Pre-requisites

Students must also plan to take before their third year at 51²è¹Ý the required economics co-requisite course:

  • One Economics Pre-requisite (or Co-requisite)

    • ECO 1311 or ECO 1312; or,

    • AP Macroeconomics: 4 or better; or,

    • AP Microeconomics: 4 or better. 

To apply, go HERE.

If you have any questions, please contact us at towerscholars@smu.edu.