BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Understand how ideas, power and markets shape the world
The philosophy, politics and economics major, often called PPE, is built for students who want to understand how society actually works. You will study how political institutions, economic systems and ethical reasoning interact to shape public life, policy decisions and social change. At UB, PPE gives you the tools to analyze complex problems and work toward practical, informed solutions.
Big problems rarely belong to just one discipline. PPE brings together three ways of thinking so you can see the full picture.
This major is a strong fit if you want to:
- understand how political decisions affect economic outcomes and social values
- study fairness, justice and power alongside data and institutions
- prepare for careers in public service, policy, law, nonprofit work or business
- build skills for graduate or professional school
UB’s PPE program is interdisciplinary by design, with courses taught across philosophy, political science, economics and related fields. You will learn alongside students who care about real world impact and want to connect ideas to action.
The PPE major combines core coursework with focused exploration and a senior capstone experience.
Build a shared foundation
You will build a shared foundation in:
- philosophical reasoning and ethics
- empirical political science
- economic thinking and decision making
Courses emphasize models, evidence and normative reasoning, or how values shape choices and outcomes.
Exploring policy, power and change
As you move through the major, you will study how societies organize and change through coursework in areas such as:
- political economy
- public policy and social change
- game theory and decision making
- ethics in economics and politics
You will also complete a thematic domain at the local, national or global level. This allows you to dig deeply into one scale of political and economic organization using courses from multiple departments.
Capstone experience
In your senior year, you will bring everything together in a capstone course that integrates philosophy, politics and economics. This experience emphasizes synthesis, clear communication and applied analysis.
PPE does not train you to memorize answers. It teaches you how to analyze, evaluate and explain complex systems.
By the time you graduate, you will be able to:
- apply models to explain and predict behavior in the social sciences and assess their limits
- evaluate the ethical assumptions behind policy and economic decisions
- combine empirical evidence, theory and normative reasoning in clear arguments
- synthesize ideas from multiple disciplines in writing and presentations
- explain how institutions shape political and economic change
- analyze issues at the local, national or global level
These learning outcomes prepare you for work that requires judgment, communication and strategic thinking.
Many PPE students extend their learning through:
- internships in government, nonprofits or community organizations
- undergraduate research or independent study
- policy-focused student groups and public forums
- study abroad programs connected to global politics and economics
Faculty advisors help students shape experiences that align with their interests and career goals.
Both majors build strong reasoning and communication skills, but they serve different interests.
BA in Philosophy
Think deeply. Write clearly. Explore big ideas.
- Focus: Core philosophical questions, theories and methods
- You’ll study: Ethics, logic, metaphysics, epistemology and philosophy’s history
- Best for students who: Enjoy abstract thinking, careful argument and deep reading
- Skills you’ll build: Critical reasoning, analytical writing and ethical judgment
- Common next steps: Law school, graduate study, teaching, writing and research
- Flexibility: Very flexible and easy to pair with a second major or minor
BA in PPE
Connect ideas to policy, power and social change.
- Focus: How values, institutions and economic systems shape society
- You’ll study: Political philosophy, economics, political science and decision making
- Best for students who: Want to apply ideas to real world problems and policy debates
- Skills you’ll build: Policy analysis, interdisciplinary reasoning and model based thinking
- Common next steps: Law, public policy, government, nonprofits, business or grad school
- Structure: More guided and integrated across multiple disciplines
Students interested in ethics and theory may prefer philosophy, while those drawn to policy and systems often choose PPE.
PPE graduates develop skills that translate across sectors. Some students enter the workforce directly, while others pursue graduate or professional school.
Graduates often go on to:
- law school or public policy programs
- government and public service roles
- nonprofit and advocacy work
- business, consulting and analytics
- international organizations and development work
- graduate study in philosophy, economics or political science
Families value PPE for its flexibility and strong preparation for many paths after graduation.
If you want a major that helps you think across systems, values and evidence, PPE offers a powerful foundation. Explore the curriculum, talk with an advisor and imagine how this interdisciplinary path fits your goals.
Questions about the PPE major or academic planning?
