Undergraduate Programs

ABOUT | MAJORS & MINORS | CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS | STUDENT PROJECTS | APPLICATION CYCLES

Thank you for your interest in the undergraduate programs at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

The Bloustein School educates a select pool of students, preparing them for both public and private sector careers, teaching and research professions and service at all levels of government.

The Bloustein School provides students a unique opportunity to pursue their passion for public service and research and offers bachelor degrees in five major fields. The school also offers eight minor programs. With an undergraduate population of approximately 900 students, the Bloustein School is small enough to offer students individual academic support and the focus of a professional school, but large enough for students to enjoy all the benefits, resources, and opportunities of a leading public research university.

View Majors & Minors

Undergraduate students that are declared in a Bloustein School major fall into one of the two following categories:

Joint Degree Students

A Rutgers-New Brunswick student who has declared one of the Bloustein School majors while remaining in their primary unit (SAS or SEBS)
The student is required to complete the core curriculum of their primary unit AND the Bloustein School major requirements.

Direct Admit Students

A student that is admitted directly to the Bloustein School either by transferring from an outside school or completing a school-to-school transfer from another Rutgers school.
The Bloustein School is the student’s primary unit, so the student is required to complete the Bloustein School General Education Requirements, the major program requirements, and adhere to the school’s academic policies and procedures.
The Bloustein School does not require completion of a second major or minor, except Planning and Public Policy.

Advising

Students should seek advising from the Office of Academic and Student Services. The staff provides information about the school’s programs, admissions and degree requirements, scheduling, course registration and more. Each student is assigned an advisor when admitted to the Bloustein School. The advisors are listed in the right-hand sidebar. Please contact your advisor or write to undergrad@ejb.rutgers.edu to schedule an appointment.

When requesting an advising appointment, please include your first name, last name and RUID# as well as your academic concerns so we can better assist you.

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Contact

Student & Academic Services

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm

General Questions: undergrad@ejb.rutgers.edu

Prospective Students/Admissions (Joint Degree and Direct Admit) Questions: ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu

EJB Transfer Applicant Questions: ejbtransfer@ejb.rutgers.edu

Senior Questions: seniors@ejb.rutgers.edu

Bloustein Honors Research Program (BHRP) Questions: honors@ejb.rutgers.edu

For declared students with specific questions, contact your assigned EJB advisor.

Majors and Minors

The Bloustein School welcomes current Rutgers-New Brunswick students as well as prospective students to consider our major and minor programs of study. We offer five undergraduate majors and 9 minors.

Students should declare a minor with their matriculating school. They need not apply for minor status with the Bloustein School. Only courses with a grade of “C” or better can be counted toward the minor program of study.

Health Administration

Major and Minor

The major in Health Administration (501, 501D), which leads to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, provides students with the skills, competencies, and relationships to become highly-effective supervisors and managers. Graduates of this program will have secured competencies in general management, a strong and effective set of communication skills, an understanding of the importance of ethical business conduct, as well as participation in an intense professional internship.

Planning & Public Policy

Major and Minor

The Planning and Public Policy major (762, 762D) provides students with a foundation in areas such as city dynamics, environmental aspects of cities, community health, urban poverty, public policy, housing issues, social concerns, fiscal matters, and land use planning. Students are prepared for entry-level professional management and planning positions focused on overseeing and improving public programs, such as transportation, housing, planning, the environment, finance, economic development, and urban renewal. These career paths can be found in business, government, education, banking, and nonprofit settings. This program also prepares students for graduate education in public administration, public policy, and urban planning.

Public Health

Major and Minor

Our major in Public Health (832, 832D) offers a dynamic learning environment that prepares public health students to tackle society’s most pressing contemporary health-related issues. Our focus is on a highly transferable skill set applicable to many career pathways that directly or indirectly impact population health. Our minor is well-matched to majors in environmental policy, institutions & behavior; exercise science; food science; health administration; biological sciences; kinesiology & health; nursing; nutrition; psychology; social work; as well as clinical health tracks such as pre-medicine/dental.

Public Policy

Major and Minor

The public policy major and minor (833, 833D) prepare students for careers in the public, non-profit, or private sectors, or for graduate studies in the fields of public policy, law, politics, public administration, criminal justice, labor and employment relations, sociology, and women and gender studies.

Urban Planning & Design

Major and Minor

Urban Planning and Design (971, 971D) combines these two processes to provide students with a sharper focus on city design, community development, GIS and graphic communication, as well as planning practice.

Public Administration & Management

Minor Only

This minor is well-matched to majors in public policy; criminal justice; economics; human resource management; labor studies & employment relations; political science; social work; as well as the pre-law track.

Urban Studies

Minor Only

This minor is well-matched to majors in sociology; economics; labor studies & employment relations; political science; social justice; geography; psychology; ethnic studies; public health; urban planning and design; as well as the pre-law track.

Medical Ethics & Health Policy

Minor Only

The minor in Medical Ethics and Health Policy enables undergraduate students to explore the conceptual foundations of medical ethics as well as develop an appreciation of how they inform contemporary health policy in an era of major scientific innovation, technological advances, and resource constraint.

Disability Studies

Minor Only

The Disability Studies minor examines the meaning, nature, and consequences of disability, as a social, cultural, and political construct. It provides students the opportunity to challenge normative ableist paradigms that reinforce rigid ideas about the body and personhood for people with disabilities.

This minor is well-matched to majors in public health, public policy, urban planning and design, planning and public policy, kinesiology and health, labor and employment relations, visual and performing arts, health administration, sociology, psychology, and more.

Restrictions of major and minor combinations:

Planning and Public Policy majors may not declare the Urban Studies (975), Public Policy (833), and Urban Planning and Design (971) minors. Also, PPP majors may not double major in Public Policy or Urban Planning and Design.
Public Policy majors may not declare the Planning and Public Policy major or minor programs.
Urban Planning and Design majors may not declare the Planning and Public Policy major or minor or the Urban Studies minor.
Bloustein School direct-admit students are permitted to double major or major/minor across programs except as noted above.
Students in SAS are allowed to declare a Bloustein School major/minor combination except as noted above.
Students in SEBS are allowed to declare the Public Health major with a Bloustein School minor.
Students in a Rutgers-New Brunswick professional school need permission from their dean’s office to declare more than one Bloustein School program.

Have questions? Please contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu. If you would like to schedule a virtual pre-advising appointment, please complete the Pre-Advising Request Form found here.

The Bloustein School allows students to double major or major/minor across programs. Students in SAS are allowed to declare a Bloustein School major/minor combination. SEBS and any other professional school need permission from their dean’s office.

Please note the elective requirements will not overlap.

Approved electives for each minor program can be found in Degree Navigator.

Undergraduate Certificates

Planning and Public Policy Certificates

These Planning and Public Policy certificate programs offered through Bloustein Undergraduate Programs are open to all Rutgers-New Brunswick students. Certificates are awarded only with or subsequent to the awarding of a bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate students are restricted to courses at the 300 and 400 levels. Post-baccalaureate students may select courses from any level.

Community Development Certificate (24 credits)

Core Courses (6 cr)

10:762:307 Community Development (3)
10:762:310 U.S. Housing Policy (3)

Required Electives (18 cr)

10:762:210 Principles of Public Policy (3)
10:762:317 Urban Municipal Management (3)
10:762:353 Local Economic Development (3)
10:762:413 Urban Revitalization (3)
10:762:420 GIS for Health and Planning (3)
10:762:440 Principles of Real Estate (3)
10:762:473 Transportation Policy (3)

Other courses may be substituted with permission of the Program Director

Community Stability Certificate (18 credits)

The Community Sustainability Certificate provides students with an integrated approach to energy, environment and climate change, transportation, and urban redevelopment and international/global sustainability issues.

Core Courses (6 cr)

10:762:201 Introduction to Urban Planning and Design (3)
10:762:202 Designing Healthy Cities (3)

Students must complete one course in at least four of the five areas of sustainability listed below. Courses may be selected from various majors, but each course must be pre-approved by the Program Director in order to fulfill the areas of sustainability listed below. Seek advising to discuss pre-approved electives.

Required Electives (12 cr)

Energy
Environment and Climate Change
Transportation
Urban Redevelopment
International and Global

Historic Preservation Certificate (15 credits)

Students must apply to declare this certificate. Students must have an Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Core Courses (9 cr)

10:082:430 Seminar in Global Cultural Heritage (3)
10:762:448 Historic Preservation (3)
Internship in Historic Preservation OR Research in Historic Preservation (see application for details) (3)

Required Electives (6 cr)

View Application and Requirements for the Historic Preservation Certificate

Urban Planning Certificate (24 credits)

The Urban Planning Certificate provides students with a concentration in core courses related to general planning, such as community growth and decline, geographic information systems, planning thought, planning law, planning support systems, smart growth, state and regional planning, sustainable development and urban revitalization.

Core Courses (6 cr)

10:762:201 Introduction to Urban Planning and Design (3)
10:762:316 Introduction to Site Planning and City Design (3) – Prerequisites 10:762:201, 10:971:314, and 10:971:315

Required Electives (18 cr)

10:762:202 Designing Healthy Cities (3)
10:762:307 Community Development (3)
10:762:310 US Housing Policy (3)
10:762:314 Graphic Communication for Planning (3)
10:971:315 Fundamentals of Urban Planning and Design (3)
10:762:317 Urban Municipal Management (3)
10:762:352 Cybercities (3)
10:762:413 Urban Revitalization (3)
10:762:420 GIS for Health and Planning (3)
10:762:448 Historic Preservation (3)
10:762:472 Transportation Planning (3)
10:762:474 Tourism Planning (3)

Other courses may be substituted with permission of the Program Director

Public Health Certificates

These Public Health certificate programs offered through Bloustein School Undergraduate Programs are open to all Rutgers-New Brunswick students. Certificates are awarded only with or subsequent to the awarding of a bachelor’s degree.

Students must declare their intention to pursue a certificate program with the Bloustein School prior to their last semester of study in order to qualify to receive a certificate. These programs do not qualify as a minor. Completed certificate programs are awarded upon graduation and appear on student transcripts. Only courses with a grade of “C” or better can be counted toward a certificate program.

Cancer Surveillance and Epidemiology Certificate (18 credits)

The CS&E certificate provides a foundation in the key issues, analytics and information systems used in cancer surveillance, cancer research and related fields. It may be of particular interest to students considering careers in cancer epidemiology, the management of cancer data in a health administration setting, or as data oncology specialists in private or government settings. The concepts explored in this certificate are also highly transferable to a broader range of surveillance and research efforts in public health and health administration.

The certificate program is open to students in any major and is awarded only with or subsequent to earning a bachelor’s degree. Only courses with grade of C or better may be applied toward the certificate program.

Core (12 cr)

10:832:254 Health and Cancer Terminology (or equivalent) (3)
10:832:335 Epidemiology (3) (10:832:201 + stats) or 10:501:335 Population Health (3) (10:501:203)
10:832:405 Cancer and Society (3) (Prerequisite: Epidemiology 10:832:335 or Population Health 10:832:335
10:832:406 Cancer Surveillance (3) (Prerequisite: Epidemiology 10:832:335 or Population Health 10:832:335)

Required Electives (at least 6 cr)

The remaining 6 credits required for the certificate can be selected from elective courses listed below.

At least one of the following in health systems administration: (3 cr.)

10:501:203 Introduction to Health Administration (3)
10:501:395 Data Management in Healthcare (3) (stats prerequisite, open to HA major minor only)
10:832:334 Public Health Management (3)
10:832:260/10:501:260 Health Care systems (3)

At least one of the following in health information/informatics (3 cr.)

10:501:410 Information Systems for Health Care (3) (Prerequisites: 501:203 and 501:333)
10:832:336 Information Systems for Public Health (3)
04:547:474 Special Topics: Health Informatics for Information Professionals (3)

Global Health and Health Policy Certificate (18 credits)

The Global Health and Health Policy Certificate provides students an organized opportunity to concentrate coursework in public health and cognate disciplines on the broader intersection of health policy and global health.

Core (6 cr)

10:832:240 Global Health Perspectives (3)
10:832:440 Global Health (3)

Required Electives (at least 12 cr)

10:652:399 Special Topics: Ethical Issues in Global Health and Development (3)
10:652:462 Human Rights and Health (3) (also under 10:832:462)
10:762:230 Global Poverty (3)
10:762:419 Immigration Policy (3)
10:832:235 Urban Health (3)
10:832:335 Epidemiology* (3)
10:832:338 Health and Public Policy (3)
10:832:404 Emerging Infectious Diseases** (3)
10:832:405 Cancer and Society (3)
10:832:414 Culture and Health (3)
10:832:415 Women and Health (3)
01:420:224 French for Healthcare (3)
01:506:226 Contemporary Challenges in International Health (3)
01:508:328 History of Health and Healing in Africa (3)
01:920:335 Health and Inequality*** (3)
01:940:205 Spanish for the Health Professions (3)
01:988:407 Women’s Global Health Movements (3)
01:988:412 Global Food Politics: Health Consequences (3)
01:988:413 The Global Pharmaceutical Economy & Health (3)

*Pre-requisites: (1) 10:775:205 Basic Statistical Methods or equivalent or 01:640:115 (111 and 112) Pre-Calculus, and (2) 10:832:201 Principles of Public Health or approval of the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education.

**Pre-requisite: 10:832:335 Epidemiology

***Pre-requisite: Any of the following: (1) 01:920:311, (2) 01:920:312, (3) 01:920:313, or (4) 01:920:314

****Will accept up to 6 credits from an approved public health study abroad/glocal experience with approval from the Public Health Program Leader.

Health Disparities Certificate (18 credits)

The Health Disparities certificate provides students with a conceptual understanding of health disparities in the United States and abroad with the focus on race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and gender; and further offers an understanding of which groups are at higher risk of developing poor health outcomes. The certificate program is open to students in any major and is awarded only with or subsequent to earning a bachelor’s degree. Only courses with grade of C or better may be applied toward the certificate program.

Core (12 cr)

10:832:212 Introduction to Health Disparities (3)
10:832:240 Global Health Perspectives (3)
10:832:413 Advanced Topics in Health Disparities or 01:920:335* Health & Inequality (3)
10:832:414 Culture and Health (3)

Required Electives (at least 6 cr)

10:832:252 Health and Social Justice (3)
10:832:253 LGBTQ Public Health (3)
10:832:302 Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy (3)
10:832:332 Public Health Economics (3)
10:832:338 Health and Public Policy (3)
10:832:340 Aging and Public Policy (3) or 762:340 Aging and Public Policy (3)
10:832:341 Public Health and Aging (3)
10:832:350 Drugs, Culture, and Society (3)
10:832:415 Women and Health (3)
10:832:416 Mental Health and Society (3)
10:832:440 Global Public Health (3)
10:832:462 Human Rights and Health (3)
10:762:230 Global Poverty (3)
10:762:231 Poverty in the United States (3)
10:762:331 US Social Policy (3)
10:762:419 Immigration Policy (3)
01:920:115 The Color of Health: How Does Inequality Get Under the Skin (3)
01:014:347 Health Issues in the African American Community (3)

*If you have not completed the prerequisite, please contact the instructor to request permission to enter the course after declaring the certificate. A special permission number will be issued by the Undergraduate Program Coordinator of the Sociology Dept.

Health Policy Certificate (18 credits)

The Health Policy Certificate provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to the intersection of public health and public policy. Core courses in policy, health, ethics, and economics promote a comprehensive understanding of health policy and its relevance in the contemporary United States. The certificate program is open to students in any major and is awarded only with or subsequent to earning a bachelor’s degree. Only courses with grade of C or better may be applied toward the certificate program.

Core (9 cr)

Select one of the following economics courses:

10:501:332 Health Care Economics (3) or
10:832:332 Public Health Economics (3) or
01:220:433 Health Economics (3)

AND

10:833:210 Principles of Public Policy (3)
- Cross-listed as 10:762:210 and 10:843:210
10:832:338 Health and Public Policy (3)
- Cross-listed as 10:833:338

Required Electives (9 cr)

Select one elective from each of the following:

Law and Ethics of Health Policy (3 cr):

10:501:356 Health Care Ethics and Law (3)
10:652:201 Foundations of Medical Ethics and Policy (3)
- Cross-listed as 01:730:248
10:652:301 Foundations of Medical Ethics and Policy (3)
- Cross-listed as 01:730:348
10:832:356 Public Health Law and Ethics (3)

Domains of Health Policy (3 cr):

10:501:260 Health Care Systems (3)
- Cross-listed as 10:832:260
10:762:331 U.S. Social Policy (3)
- Cross-listed as 10:833:331 and 10:975:331
10:832:201 Principles of Public Health (3)
01:790:305 Public Policy Formation (3)

Applications of Health Policy (3 cr):

10:652:462 Health and Human Rights (3)
- Cross-listed as 10:832:462
10:762:340 Aging and Public Policy (3)
- Cross-listed as 10:832:340 and 10:833:340
10:832:252 Health and Social Justice (3)
10:832:302 Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy (3)
- Cross-listed as 10:833:302
10:832:351 Addictions Policy (3)
- Cross-listed as 10:833:351
01:920:210 Sociology of Medicine and Health Care (3)
01:920:335 Health and Inequality (3)
01:988:408 Gender, Economic Inequality and Health Care (3)

Public Health Education and Advocacy Certificate (18 credits)

The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy Undergraduate Programs in conjunction with Rutgers University Health Services – Health Outreach Promotion and Education offers a certificate program in Public Health Education and Advocacy. The PHE&A certificate helps students prepare for the national Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination by covering the requisite material in a series of related courses. The certificate program is open to students in any major and is awarded only with or subsequent to earning a bachelor’s degree. Only courses with grade of C or better may be applied toward the certificate program.

Students interested in taking the CHES exam, should plan to enroll in 10:832:484 Special Topics: CHES Prep and Practice (3). The exam’s registration fee is not included in the course fee.

For information on the CHES exam, visit https://www.nchec.org/ches.

Core (12 cr)

10:832:241 Principles of Health Education (3)
10:832:345 Health Program Development (3)
10:832:346 Health Program Evaluation (3)
10:832:352 Community Health Promotion (3) – Prerequisite 10:832:241

Required Electives (at least 6 cr)

10:832:242 Principles of Health and Wellness (3)
10:832:262 Peer Education Advocacy (3)
10:832:301 Sexual Health Advocacy (3) – Prerequisite: permission of instructor; course not open to seniors
10:832:350 Drugs, Culture and Society (3)
10:832:351 Addictions Policy (3)
10:832:353 Science of Prevention (3) – Prerequisite 10:832:350
10:832:484 Special Topics: CHES Prep and Practice (3)

Public Health Preparedness Certificate (18 credits)

The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy Undergraduate Programs in conjunction with the Rutgers School of Public Health offers a Public Health Preparedness (PHP) Certificate. Students are introduced to the biological, chemical and radiological agents that have the potential to cause widespread harm to public health; as well as emergency management concepts. The PHP certificate program is open to all majors and is only awarded with, or subsequent to, earning a bachelor’s degree. Only courses with a grade of C or better may be applied toward the certificate program.

Core (15 cr)

10:832:201 Principles of Public Health (3)
10:832:320 Protecting Public Health and the Environment (3)
10:832:321 Environmental and Occupational Health (3)
10:832:401 Public Health Preparedness I* (3)
10:832:402 Public Health Preparedness II (3)

Required Electives (at least 3 cr)

10:832:334 Public Health Management (3)
10:832:335 Epidemiology (3)
10:832:356 Public Health Law and Ethics (3)
10:832:404 Emerging Infectious Diseases (3) – Prerequisite 10:832:335

*A basic biology course is strongly recommended for this course.

Certificate Program Declaration Form

Student Projects

Under the direction of faculty and research staff, students at the Bloustein School analyze real-world issues for real clients and develop real solutions. From planning studios to policy practicums to applied field experiences, students use a range of analytic, design, or research techniques to gain practical experience. They consider socioeconomic, demographic, environmental, political, and other conditions as well as stakeholder engagement as they research and assess projects, and are encouraged to use “best practices” in order to develop solutions that are equitable and efficient.

Camden Waterfront – Schneck

Camden Waterfront – Rosales

Agrarian Urbanism – Ladd

Waterfront Concept Plan – Sasson

Waterfront Concept Plan – Madrazo

Germantown Avenue Conceptual Site Plan Redevelopment

Camden Waterfront – Gupta

Liberty Harbor North – Atre

View All Student Projects

Application Cycles

Students in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS), the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), and Rutgers-New Brunswick professional schools who wish to declare a Bloustein School major must complete the Application for Declaration of Undergraduate Major. The applications are reviewed on a cyclical basis prior to the peak times in each semester (add/drop period, pre-registration, and end of term) and summer session. Dates are subject to change with certain updates to the Academic Calendar.

Once you apply, you will be notified of the admission decision via email on the notification date. During the fall and spring, this will assist newly admitted students in pre-registering for the next term as a major.

Students admitted during summer may have the opportunity to change fall course registrations to majors-only courses after declaration. However, certain courses may be closed and special permission numbers may not be available.

The 3-day application periods will accommodate students who miss the deadline for the main cycles.

Note: If a student misses the 3-day application period, they can apply for the next main cycle. Although the application form is accessible at all times, the decisions will only be provided on the notification date of each cycle.

Fall 2024/Winter 2025 Application Cycles

Application Cycle	Dates to Apply	Notification Date
Summer Cycle III	August 5-August 24	August 28
Add/Drop Period	August 29-September 12	Rolling Basis
Pre-Registration	September 18 – October 30	November 5
End of Term	November 12 – December 3	December 10
Winter Session	December 17 – January 6	January 10

3-Day Application Cycles

Application Cycle	Dates to Apply	Notification Date
Add/Drop Period	September 13-September 15	September 17
Pre-Registration	November 6 – November 8	November 11
End of Term	December 11 – December 13	December 16
Winter Session	January 11 – January 13	January 16

Note: Fall 2024 begins September 3

Questions? Please contact ugadmissions@ejb.rutgers.edu.