Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Students take an equal number of foundational and advanced courses in each discipline. The philosophical component develops close reading, logical reasoning, and argumentation skills. Political science coursework introduces students to both national and international politics, with a focus on the U.S. Constitution, before treating advanced topics. Economic training enables students to evaluate the incentives, tradeoffs, and unintended consequences underlying policy decisions. Along the way, students choose among electives in disciplines like Business, Environmental Studies, and History, before completing an integrative capstone project. Like all Saint Michael’s College students, PPE majors are eligible for independent studies, internships, national and international fellowships and study abroad, as well as on campus clubs like Mock Trial, Model UN, and Green Up.

Graduates emerge prepared for leadership roles in government agencies, think tanks, international organizations, management consulting firms, and financial institutions. The program’s emphasis on both quantitative and qualitative analysis, combined with strong writing and communication skills, makes PPE graduates appealing to employers seeking versatile problem-solvers who can navigate complex institutional environments.