The Department of Public Policy was established in 1985 within the Faculty of Social Sciences of Tel Aviv University.
The department seeks to provide the highest level of training to Public Sector candidates in order to advance public policy in Israel.
The program is recognized by the Civil Service Commission as a preferred academic degree. The program is designed for students interested in acquiring the necessary skills to understand, analyze and research public policy in both a research oriented and occupational setting. Coursework will prepare students for integration into public administration: governmental ministries, local government, governmental companies and other non-profit organizations as well as preparing employees who are seeking to advance to more senior positions.
Since the establishment of the department in 1985 graduates have joined the public sector in a variety of positions (national and local governmental offices) as well as non-profit sector positions. In recent years, the percentage of graduates who have joined the private sector has increased due to the development of greater partnerships between the public and private sectors.
As of 2005, the department has maintained a joint program with the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. As of 2012 the department added a joint program with New York University's Wagner School of Public Policy. These programs include joint workshops and courses.