Global Poverty and Practice

About the Program

Minor

The Global Poverty & Practice (GPP) minor is an interdisciplinary program designed to introduce students to the frameworks, methods, and practical skills necessary to engage with global poverty and inequality in effective ways. The "Practice Experience" is a central component of the minor in which students intern or volunteer with organizations engaged in poverty action (e.g., non-governmental organizations, community organizations, government agencies, and other poverty or development programs). In conjunction with the coursework, this real-world experience, which can take place domestically or internationally, allows students to connect theories and practices of poverty action. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to undertake the minor.

Applying for the Minor

Students wishing to pursue the Global Poverty and Practice minor must submit a Minor Declaration of Intent Form online. There are no pre-requisites required to declare the minor.  The deadlines to declare are generally in early October and early March. For more information, please see the Global Poverty and Practice minor website.

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Minor Requirements

Students who have a strong interest in an area of study outside their major often decide to complete a minor program. These programs have set requirements.

General Guidelines

1. All minors must be declared before the first day of classes in your Expected Graduation Term (EGT). For summer graduates, minors must be declared prior to the first day of Summer Session A. 

2. All upper-division courses must be taken for a letter grade. 

3. A minimum of three of the upper-division courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements must be completed at UC Berkeley.

4. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required in the upper-division courses to fulfill the minor requirements.

5. Courses used to fulfill the minor requirements may be applied toward the Seven-Course Breadth requirement, for Letters & Science students.

6. No more than one upper division course may be used to simultaneously fulfill requirements for a student's major and minor programs.

7. All minor requirements must be completed prior to the last day of finals during the semester in which the student plans to graduate. If students cannot finish all courses required for the minor by that time, they should see a College of Letters & Science adviser.

8. All minor requirements must be completed within the unit ceiling. (For further information regarding the unit ceiling, please see the College Requirements tab.)

Requirements

The minor is organized around three core and two elective course requirements, in addition to the practice experience that is comprised of a field experience and a reflection course. The requirements must be completed in the following sequence:

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To view the approved elective courses by semester, please see the Global Poverty and Practice Minor website. The elective courses may taken at any time during the above sequence, but will most benefit students if taken prior to the Practice Experience.

Practice Experience

An individualized practice experience is the signature element of the minor, providing an opportunity for students to connect the theories and practices of poverty action. Students partner with domestic or international non-governmental or community organizations, government agencies, or other poverty or development programs, on various dimensions of poverty action – from community health and sustainable technologies to education and environmental justice. The minimum time expected for the practice experience is 240 hours over the course of at least 6 weeks.  This can take place in the summer or during the academic year. Students in the minor have completed practice experiences in over 70 different countries.

Plan of Study

Sample Plans of Study

Below are three possible academic plans for completing the GPP Minor, but there are many other potential timelines for completing the minor.  Students are encouraged to speak with a GPP adviser to discuss a plan that best works for you.

Advising

GPP staff advisors and peer advisors are available to meet with students to discuss any questions they have regarding the GPP Minor.

The GPP peer advisors are undergraduate students who have completed a majority of the requirements for the GPP Minor, including the Practice Experience. They are a great resource for seeking information about what the minor entails, selecting a practice experience, course planning, and much more.

The department encourages prospective students to meet with a GPP advisor before applying to declare the minor. Students declared in the minor should check in regularly with the advisors for guidance on ensuring regular progress towards completing the minor.

Schedule an appointment with a GPP Minor advisor here.

Students may also email gppminor@berkeley.edu with any questions about the program.

Academic Opportunities

Practice Experience Fellowship Funding

Students who have declared the GPP minor are eligible to apply for a Global Poverty and Practice Fellowship which provides financial support for students’ US and international practice experiences. Further details can be found on the program's website.

Mentorship Program

The GPP Minor Mentorship Program matches students in the minor with alumni working in different fields.  Mentees receive guidance about post-graduation career paths and ways to engage with poverty and inequality after graduating from the program.

Courses

Global Poverty and Practice

Please visit the GPP Minor website for an up to date listing of GPP courses.