The University of Maryland's Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) undergraduate major is an interdisciplinary program that integrates methodologies from philosophy, political science, and economics to address complex societal questions. Established in 2019, the program has rapidly grown, attracting over 160 majors within four years.
Program Structure:
Disciplinary Foundations (18 credits): Courses in moral issues, political philosophy, microeconomics, macroeconomics, American politics, and public policy.
Core Sequence (9 credits): Includes Individual and Group Decision-Making, Social Philosophy and Political Economy, and a Senior Capstone Seminar.
Electives (12 credits): A selection of upper-level courses across various departments, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific interests.
This curriculum equips students with analytical tools applicable to careers in law, government, business, and non-profits.
Program Objectives:
Provide interdisciplinary methods from philosophy, political science, and economics.
Encourage application of these methods to diverse, normative questions.
Facilitate original research combining these disciplines.
Develop skills in clear writing, careful reading, and organized argumentation.
Foster a passion for learning across scholarly disciplines.
The PPE major prepares students to tackle pressing global challenges by understanding ethics, institutional dynamics, and economic principles.
Career and Internship Opportunities:
The College of Arts and Humanities offers dedicated career and internship advising for PPE majors, providing:
Job search strategies.
Customized application material development.
Access to the Bright Future 'Unpaid Internship' Scholarship for need-based support.
These resources assist students in translating their interdisciplinary education into practical experiences and career opportunities.
For more information visit the PPE Major page or advising, contact the program director, Dan Moller, at philadv@umd.edu.