Politics, Philosophy & Economics Major - Suffolk University (original) (raw)
The first of its kind in Boston, Suffolk’s politics, philosophy, & economics (PPE) program trains students to evaluate social institutions and policy from a multidisciplinary perspective. Combining the tools, methods, and core ideas of three distinct disciplines, our curriculum helps students develop the qualitative and quantitative skills needed to analyze complex social problems and identify solutions.
As a PPE major, you’ll gain valuable experience writing, researching, and synthesizing information across subject areas while building skills in textual analysis and mathematical modeling. You’ll also have the option to tailor your upper-level courses around your interests. Common themes include law, environmental policy, social science research, and international affairs.
The PPE Club, Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University, and other groups frequently bring experts with diverse viewpoints together to debate and discuss today’s most pressing issues.
PPE is an ideal pre-law program, offering classes on argumentative writing, reading analysis, and how legal systems work. Beyond law school, graduates of our program frequently pursue careers in government, nonprofits, law, and finance.
Students in our PPE program will:
- Evaluate public policy proposals along multiple dimensions
- Write succinctly and directly
- Analyze social problems with qualitative and quantitative tools
- Learn to express an argument in a clear and engaging way for various audiences
- Recognize points of disagreement with others and respond in ways that build consensus
Experience is Everything
You won’t just study your major—you’ll experience it through hands-on learning opportunities.
The Washington Center program offers rare access to political insiders—like a visit with Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern in his congressional office.
Our students can complete internships with government agencies, think tanks, and nonprofit organizations.
PPE students sharpen their analytical and rhetorical skills as members of the Suffolk policy debate, mock trial, and Model UN teams, and can act as judges during Boston Debate League events on campus.
During “Congress to Campus,” former members from opposite sides of the aisle share their experiences and demonstrate bipartisan commitment to democracy and problem-solving. [Shown here: Former U.S. Reps. James Coyne (R-PA) and Peter Kostmayer (D-PA)]
Our Students & Alumni
Beyond the Classroom
The PPE program hosts regular events to better connect themes from the classroom with real-world issues. We host multi-disciplinary discussions of policy debates, invite external speakers, and provide forums for student conversation. Join these events to be part of the PPE community and see unexpected ways to extend what you’ve learned at Suffolk. Some of our recent events include:
PPE policy discussions:
- Student Debt Relief
- Who Bears the Burden of Natural Disasters?
- Ballot Question #1: Raising Taxes on Higher Earners
External speakers:
- Nicholas Vrousalis (Eramus University) on Exploitation
- Louis Antony (UMass Amherst) on Gender and Nature
- Mike Konczal (Roosevelt Institute) on Markets and Freedom
Community discussions:
- The Looming Government Shutdown
- The Russian Invasion of Ukraine
- Legality and Ethics of Mask Requirements
PPE Club
In this active student organization you’ll socialize, network, and explore timely topics from multiple perspectives. Recent events have looked at hot-button political and ethical issues such as congressional in-fighting, misinformation, and debt relief with expert input from economists, political scientists, philosophers, and other leaders in their fields.
Campus Activities
As a PPE student, you can refine your oratory and analytical skills as a member of our competitive debate, mock trial, or model UN teams. You can also immerse yourself in other perspectives by participating in events through our robust global, cultural, and affinity organizations, the Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University, and our Interfaith Center.
Interfaith Scholar
The Interfaith Scholar position allows an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in philosophy, religious studies, or PPE to gain hands-on experience fostering open and inclusive religious dialogue on campus. As an Interfaith Scholar, you’ll work with the Interfaith Center and the Philosophy Department to plan and execute programming such as lecture series, academic forums, and other events that educate our community and help spark meaningful conversations on faith, equity, and diversity.
During your senior year, you’ll apply the diverse set of skills you’ve gained to complete a capstone project on an issue that interests you, such as:
- Climate change policy
- Police and prison reform
- Transportation
- Housing
- Economic inequality
- International corruption
Using your highly-developed analytical skills, you’ll explore your chosen topic through multiple frameworks and craft a thoughtful piece of independent research to share with your peers and professors.
Our faculty will work with you one-on-one to explore your interests and prepare you for a rewarding future. Whether you want to pursue a full-time position, apply to law school, or even pursue a Fulbright Scholarship, we will help you gain the skills and self-knowledge you need to feel confident in your next step.
Interning—including select opportunities as part of a for-credit course—will help you build experience and refine your goals for the future. Recent internship sites for our students include the Massachusetts State House, ActBlue, Boston Public Market, and the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.
We also partner with The Washington Center [PDF] to provide career-building experiences for students to meet with thought leaders and policymakers, take unique classes, and intern at think tanks, nonprofits, and government agencies.
Suffolk’s Center for Career Equity, Development & Success will also help you further explore career options, plan your path, and land your dream internship or job. You’ll find practical help, like how to write an effective résumé or LinkedIn profile, along with valuable connections to leading employers and successful alumni.
Success after Suffolk
Here's a sampling of recent graduates’ current job titles and employers.
Compliance Associate
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Bilingual Project Legal Assistant
Arnold & Porter Kay Scholer, LLP
Consumer Protections Examiner
Massachusetts Division of Banks
Patent Support Assistant
Nixon Peabody, LLP
Business Development Representative
SolBid, Inc.
Program Coordinator
All in Energy
Tax Analyst
Barnes
Legal & Compliance Administrator
Better Earth
Law Clerk
Law Office of Michael P. Joyce
Financial Professional
New York Life Insurance Company
Environmental Specialist
Veolia
Campaign Manager
ActBlue
Continuing Education
As a pre-law program, our students often pursue law degrees after graduation and are accepted into competitive law schools across the country, including Suffolk Law, Georgetown Law, American University Law, and Boston University Law. Recent graduates have also gone on to earn advanced degrees in public policy, environmental studies, and economics at Brandis University, George Mason University, Virginia Tech, and Boston College.
Questions? Get in touch!
Stories from the Politics, Philosophy & Economics Community
After University hosts regional tournament, Suffolk team advances to win JV National Championship
Lauren Muro-Belandria, BA ’23, will spend nine months on a teaching assistant fellowship in Spain
“My parents sent me to school at age two because I was already asking too many questions,” says Helina Dawit Yohannes. In her junior year at Suffolk University, Helina’s curiosity led her to a course-altering moment.
"Whether you’re building a statue or writing a history book, you are framing the subject for what you find valuable to present in telling a historical story.” —Jason Tucker