Approaches to Integrating Policy into Engineering Education

Policy education has been deemed an important component in engineering and technology education. Several approaches can be taken to ensure that engineering students receive some education in policy. These approaches may range from a brief introduction to a comprehensive program integrating engineering and public policy; the goal of all these curricular interventions being to introduce the concept of public policy and promote an understanding of how policy and engineering are interrelated. This paper outlines various methods that may be employed to integrate policy into engineering and technology curricula. This paper takes a case study approach, describing some of the options and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of the various options. These case studies include modules, courses, a certificate program and a study abroad experience.