Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy & Leadership

Catalog Year 2026-2028

Based on VCCS Curriculum for LIBERAL ARTS

Transfer Guidance

Transfer Admission Requirements

• Complete the Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts.

• Meet all or nearly all the program's general education requirements identified under the VCCS column, including foreign language.

• Progress towards or completion of Public Policy & Leadership major prerequisites.

• Have 54-60 transferable credits.

• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 or better at your current institution.

• The Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy & Leadership is a two-year degree program. All students entering the program are expected to complete the program in two years. Completing the coursework above will position you to transfer to UVA Batten's BA in Public Policy & Leadership with junior standing and graduate in two years.

Important Links & Dates

• UVA Office of Undergraduate Admission: https://admission.virginia.edu/transfer/about-transfer

• Frank Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy: https://batten.virginia.edu/transfer-students/ 

• Admission Application: By March 1 at commonapp.org

• Financial Aid: https://sfs.virginia.edu/financial-aid-new-applicants/how-apply-financial-aid-undergraduate-applicants 

• FAFSA & CSS Profile due By March 15

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Take the Batten prerequisites, ECO 202 and PSY 216, as part of your course options towards your Associate degree. 

• Take LPPP 2200: Introduction to Public Policy through UVA, the final Batten prerequisite course, in a summer online session.  

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first Math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org.

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and UVA Batten's Office of Admission (battenadmissions@virginia.edu) within your first year.

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• At UVA Batten, we are committed to solving the world's toughest policy challenges. We know complex issues demand innovative, collaborative, cross-sector relationships and solutions. Our approach to problem-solving and emphasis on ethics reinforces how leadership works, why context matters in decision-making, and which actions lead to tangible results.

• The BA in Public Policy & Leadership is a unique, multidisciplinary program that introduces the many facets of public policy—from the economic and political to the psychological and cultural—and prepares students for robust participation in public life.

• The program focuses on understanding how public policy decisions are made and how to translate that knowledge into action. Students develop a firm grasp of how civic leaders in government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector contribute to collective problem solving in preparation for their future roles as enlightened and ethical leaders in their professional, personal, and civic lives.

• You can find more information on whether Batten is right for you by visiting our website: https://batten.virginia.edu/transfer-students/.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: The completion of an approved VCCS transfer-oriented associate degree (AA, AS, or AAS) are eligible for a waiver of UVA’s Discipline Plus general education requirements.

• Dual Enrollment -- Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The completion of an associate degree concurrent with high school results in 60 credits of coursework towards your degree and most general education courses satisfied. Students apply as and enroll as first year students at UVA for orientation and engagement purposes. Students who complete an associate degree concurrent with high school are not eligible for transfer admission.

• Credit for Prior Learning: Consult the Undergraduate Record for Advanced Examination test score (i.e. AP, IB, Military Experience) needed to earn course credit: http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/content.php?catoid=52&navoid=4102#adva_....

• Catalog Year: UVA Batten honors the general education catalog in effect at the time of the student's first post-high school enrollment into the approved VCCS associate degree. Major requirements will be determined based on the catalog in effect at the time of the student's matriculation to UVA.

Is This College Right For Me?

• Located at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA, this is a full-time, in-person, residential program. Students must be available for classes during the day and some evening classes are required.

• UVA Batten provides the feeling of a smaller school—with plentiful opportunities to develop meaningful connections to faculty, support staff, and fellow students—while offering the benefits of being part of a large university.

• AccessUVA guarantees 100% of demonstrated need for undergraduates, who are admitted on a need-blind basis.

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Did You Know That…

• Completing your associate transfer degree post-high school increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree.

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at University of Virginia.

• The Batten curriculum integrates policy education with leadership based training based on a foundation of social psychology, economics, politics and public policy, with an emphasis on building skills to make a real-world impact.

• The Batten School follows the College of Arts and Sciences general education requirements. Batten will award credit for the Microeconomics prerequisite with an AP score of a 4 or higher. 

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• The BA in Public Policy & Leadership pairs a rigorous liberal arts education with hands-on practical experience and an emphasis on leadership to prepare graduates for a variety of jobs in the government, education, nonprofit and advocacy organizations, the private sector, and consulting. It also allows for easy progression to advanced degree programs in law, business, journalism, and the social sciences.  

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Program Successes & Highlights

• In 2025, 98% of BA graduates had a job or first destination within six months in roles crossing the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including but not limited to: Deloitte, UVA Law School, UN Fellowship, AmeriCorps, US Department of Justice and other federal agencies. Learn more about Batten’s career outcomes here: https://batten.virginia.edu/career-advancement/explore-career-outcomes/.    

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• UVA Batten practices a holistic review of applications which takes into account how a student's background, perspectives, and experiences shape their interest in public policy, leadership, community engagement, and academic growth. UVA Batten's goal is to admit a well-rounded cohort of students with a shared vision to become catalysts for positive, lasting change in their communities and the world-at-large.

• Batten is an upper-divisional school and admits students who are considered junior-status based on a number of completed transferable credits. Students who complete an associate degree concurrent with high school are not eligible for transfer admission. Learn more about transferring to Batten here: https://batten.virginia.edu/transfer-students/ .

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org.

Do More With Your Degree!

• Students have the opportunity to participate in research through UVA Batten's research centers and faculty-led labs. Learn more about our research centers and labs here: https://batten.virginia.edu/research-centers-labs/ .

• UVA Batten has dedicated career services to help students put their knowledge and research into action in the workplace through internship and employment opportunities. Financial support is available for un- or under-paid summer internships. Learn more about our Career Advancement team here: https://batten.virginia.edu/career-advancement/ .

• UVA Batten has an accelerated graduate program which allows UVA students to trim one year of time and expense from the regular two-year Master of Public Policy. Students interested in the MPP should follow curricular requirements to apply for undergraduate transfer to the UVA College of Arts and Sciences (not the Batten School as outlined in this guide). Learn more about our Accelerated MPP program here: https://batten.virginia.edu/programs/graduate-programs/accelerated-master-of-public-policy/ .

Other Than Classes, Are There Other Program Requirements?

• Students are encouraged to study abroad through UVA Batten coursework or an affiliated program, with the possibility of gaining elective credit while exploring the world. Scholarships and financial aid are available.

• Students can participate in many forms of public service through co-curricular and extracurricular community-based projects and programs.

• Every undergraduate student completes a capstone seminar in their final semester to gain valuable experience engaging with real world policy issues.