University of North Carolina Department of Public Policy

Still looking for a PLCY elective for next semester? Consider PLCY 590: Debt, Wealth, & Public Policy. Enroll in the course through ConnectCarolina during open enrollment, beginning today!

Course Description: Why do some families build wealth while others stay trapped in debt? And, what role does policy play? This course explores how public policies in areas like higher education finance, consumer credit, and homeownership shape who gets ahead and who falls behind in the United States. Students will learn to analyze real policy systems, evaluate evidence on what works (and what doesn't), and understand why the wealth gap and not just income inequality is central to questions of economic mobility and financial security. This course is open to all students who want to think critically about how policy shapes economic opportunity in America.

Join us on Friday, April 24th to celebrate the community driven public policy projects and internships completed during the 2026-academic year. This is a poster event, so drop in anytime between 10:30 am to 12:00 pm for discussion and snacks.

In keeping with Carolina’s IDEAs in Action Curriculum, UNC Public Policy’s experiential education programs offer students structured, active learning opportunities that invite them to explain the connections between academic studies and outside-the-classroom experiences, apply knowledge in complex situations, and use these experiences to raise or answer questions in academic settings.

To learn more about all our offerings in the experiential learning program, please visit our website (Linked in bio).

Congrats on all of your hard work this year, TarHeels!

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UNC Public Policy seniors put their skills to work through the Public Policy Capstone course— partnering with communities, tackling real policy challenges, and making a difference beyond the classroom.

Read the full story on our website to see how students from the Fall 2025 Capstone course are creating meaningful change using their skills aquired in the classroom.