With shopping carts open and course enrollment for the fall on your mind, the Admissions team is sharing helpful tips and classes to consider as you prepare for application to the Batten School.

Most importantly, you should focus on completing program prerequisites, earning a grade of C or higher. These are the only classes you must take prior to enrolling at Batten, so make taking these courses a priority. Prerequisite courses can be taken all the way up until the semester you begin at Batten, so if you plan to apply to one of our programs next year, you have through next summer to complete them. However, it is helpful for the Admissions Committee to see final grades for these classes in your application. If you are a First Year thinking about the BA or PP&L Minor, or a Second Year considering the Accel, your best bet is to take them this fall.

For the major and minor in Public Policy & Leadership, you must take microeconomics (ECON 2010) and social psychology (PSYC 2600 OR LPPL 2600, which is Batten’s section of social psych looked at through a policy lens). Students applying to the major must also take LPPP 2200: Introduction to Public Policy, a course that is offered only in the fall or the spring (no summer option is available). For the Accelerated MPP program, you will need to take microeconomics (ECON 2010) and a calculus-based math course. We like for you to take a college-level math course at UVA to build skills and demonstrate readiness for graduate level quantitative work, so if you intend to bring in the calculus pre-req using AP or transfer credit, you might also consider taking STAT 1100, STAT 1601, or STAT 2120. Finally, students interested in the Social Entrepreneurship Minor should take ENTP 1010: Startup - An Introduction to Entrepreneurship. (Remember, the Social Entrepreneurship Minor accepts all applicants!)

Students can take additional Batten classes before applying; however, this is NOT required for evaluation. Rather, it is a way for you to see if our programs could be a good academic fit as you explore options. It could also free up space further down the road for things like study abroad, double majoring, or picking up a minor (or two!). Keep in mind, if you ultimately stay in the College of Arts and Sciences, you must earn 108 credits of coursework in the College, so if you do take additional Batten classes, be sure to course plan to make sure you can meet all of your requirements.

For those looking for a taste of Batten, courses to consider include LPPL 2100: The Resilient Student: Transition, Thriving, and Leadership or LPPL 3450: Resilient Leadership for Teams and Teammates. Students interested in particular policy areas can explore them through special topics (elective) courses like LPPS 3050: Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship (which counts towards SE Minor requirements); LPPS 3240: Terrorism and Counterterrorism; LPPS 3280: Lessons in Leadership: JFK and the Most Personal Office; or LPPS 3310: Police-Community Relations: Problems and Prospects. Any courses taken at the 3000-level or higher count towards curricular requirements if you end up joining the BA or Minor in Public Policy & Leadership! 

For a complete list of our spring offerings, you can check SIS for the most up-to-date information, but we have listed our spring courses below for reference.  New courses may still be added to SIS, so be sure to check back! And if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at BattenAdmissions@virginia.edu or make an appointment with our undergraduate admissions team, Anne and Courtney!

Open Batten Core and Special Topics Courses (as of March 27)

LPPL 2100: The Resilient Student: Transition, Thriving, and Leadership

LPPL 2600: Foundations of Behavioral Science

LPPP 2200: Introduction to Public Policy

LPPP 2700: Outdoor Leadership: Building a Team

LPPS 3050: Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship

LPPS 3240: Terrorism and Counterterrorism

LPPS 3280: Lessons in Leadership: JFK and the Most Personal Office

LPPS 3310: Police-Community Relations: Problems & Prospects

LPPS 3330: Education & Conflict

LPPS 3340: Innovating for Defense: Defense Innovation & Problem-Solving

LPPS 3470: American Healthcare System: Challenges & Opportunities