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Discover, Learn, and Lead for a Better Tomorrow

Discover how to become a powerful voice for issues every society faces by understanding how strategic decisions shape systems, communities, and livelihoods, learning what the first steps to contributing to these transformative efforts are.

If you are drawn to topics that transcend borders and contexts— issues that resonate universally irrespective of location and context– the UCLA Public Leadership Impact Program is designed to empower you intellectually through issue-driven problem-solving and self-awareness exercises aimed at enhancing both academic and professional interests and aspirations.

What is PLIP?

The Public Leadership Impact Program (PLIP) is a six-week summer program held during session 6A (June 23–August 1). Designed for first- and second-year undergraduate students, it provides a foundational framework for developing analytical, communication, and persuasion skills, fostering an understanding of how policy advocacy supports issue-driven efforts.

This program provides a structured yet flexible introduction to public affairs and policy analysis. It is ideal for those seeking academic enrichment, exploration of professional interests, and opportunities to reflect on how societal issues intersect with personal aspirations.

Impactful leadership focused on achieving positive societal change can take many forms, and PLIP embraces a nuanced approach to leadership development. Leadership is not something that can be fully taught or perfected in six weeks; rather, it is a lifelong journey. PLIP is here to guide your first steps, grounded in the following principles:

  1. Leadership is personal and unique. True leadership stems from understanding your strengths, values, and aspirations. By reflecting on what matters most to you, you’ll discover where you can create meaningful impact.
  2. Leadership is multifaceted. Today’s challenges demand innovative solutions informed by diverse perspectives and knowledge. PLIP fosters an interconnected approach by encouraging you to draw on insights from your major, academic studies, and lived experiences to tackle complex issues.
  3. Leadership requires a strong and varied toolkit. Effective leaders rely on a blend of skills, such as policy analysis, critical thinking, and self-awareness. Through engagement with UCLA educators, guest speakers, and peers, PLIP introduces a variety of tools and perspectives to help you challenge yourself and consider how to refine your path moving forward.

By combining academic exploration, skill-building, and self-reflection, PLIP encourages you to contemplate and approach leadership with a new perspective, offering insights to help you engage with societal issues in a thoughtful and meaningful way.

Key Program
Features

As part of the program, all PLIP students will be required to enroll in the following UCLA courses:

(1) Public Affairs 113. Policy Analysis: Approaches to Addressing Social Problems (4 units).

  • Public Affairs 113 will train students in logic of public policy analysis, introduce them to general skills required to do policy analysis, and prepare them in persuasive presentation of their work.

(2) Public Affairs 87. Introduction to the Professional Workplace (2 units).

  • Public Affairs 87 helps prepares students to succeed in a professional environment by enhancing essential competencies that will help students confidently navigate workplace challenges and position themselves for success in their professional journeys.

Through these courses, students will hone critical thinking, build a solid foundation in policy analysis and advocacy, and deepen personal and professional awareness.

These courses are complementary to one another by integrating technical and soft skills. This combination prepares students not only to analyze and propose policy solutions but also to effectively communicate and implement those solutions in professional settings.

PLIP students will have the opportunity to participate in a series of co-curricular activities that will take place throughout the six-week duration of the program. The co-curricular sessions will be supplementary learning experiences that will provide students with a foundation in public affairs by integrating broad topic exposure, sharpen students’ overall intellectual acuity, and provide practical context for what is being learned.

Examples of activities include:

  • Learning Labs – Engage in hands-on learning activities and exercises that apply theory and build critical thinking skills in a collaborative environment.
  • Skills for Success – Become more familiar with career pathways in sectors like government, non-profit, education, and more. Students will receive foundational insight into industry structures, trends, and other opportunities.
  • Industry Insight– Glimpse into real-world roles and organizations as guest speakers share insights about their day-to-day responsibilities, organizational culture, and career trajectories, helping students develop a clearer understanding of what working in these fields entails.
  • Research Demystified– Discover the diverse types of research driving innovation and decision-making across industries. From market trends to policy analysis and beyond, this workshop breaks down research concepts, explores real-world examples, and helps you uncover your interests and potential starting points.

Important: Please note that the dates, times, and topics of all co-curricular activities are subject to change. These changes may occur due to unforeseen circumstances, scheduling conflicts, or other factors beyond our control. We strongly recommend that participants regularly check for updates to ensure they are aware of any modifications.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in interactive group sessions with fellow PLIP cohort members, fostering the exchange of academic experiences and the potential for building lifelong personal and professional connections. Weekly small-group discussions will further enrich peer learning by reinforcing course knowledge in a collaborative and supportive environment.

As the culminating piece, all students will participate in a conference-style gathering where they will present course projects in a panel-discussion format. How it will work is presenters will be grouped based on shared research themes or interests, and a moderator will lead a panel discussion that unpacks a common theme. This format will allow participants to share their knowledge and ideas while engaging in a collaborative conversation about public affairs issues and solutions.

Benefits of participating in a panel-style discussion is that it enhances public speaking, articulation of ideas, and the ability to engage with diverse audiences.

This all-day event will take place on the last day of the program, August 1.

Program Outcomes

What is the value in expanding one’s academic repertoire to include issue-driven learning situated within a public affairs and policy framework?

  • Academically, students will acquire practical, broadly applicable knowledge that they can benefit from, regardless of their major. Since Public Affairs innately takes on an interdisciplinary focus, knowledge of its basic concepts and principles can enrich a student’s understanding of their own discipline, or even help them gain clarity on whether it aligns and therefore can be integrated into one’s current academic plan.
  • Professionally, students can gain an introductory understanding of potential career pathways that aligns with their values and is centered around making a tangible impact through roles that reflect a commitment to addressing real-world issues and driving positive change.
  • Personally, students will broaden their understanding of various types of issues shaping society and deepen their intellectual engagement with the world around them, all the while expanding and exploring their knowledge of the public affairs frameworks through which these issues are discussed, analyzed, and addressed.

In addition to this, other benefits to enrolling in PLIP include:

  1. Policy Analysis as a Versatile Skill
    Policy analysis is a technical skill that goes beyond traditional policymaking. It equips students with critical thinking, data interpretation, and decision-making skills, enabling them to understand societal structures, advocate for change, and contribute meaningfully to both personal and professional spheres.
  2. Comprehensive Public Affairs Curriculum
    The program offers an accelerated six-week study of public affairs, covering topics, theories, challenges, and tools in the field. Students will gain foundational knowledge while developing essential professional skills such as effective communication, strategic thinking, and career readiness.
  3. Integration of Theory and Practice
    Through co-curricular engagement, participants can apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, refine problem-solving abilities, and explore career paths. These experiences foster intellectual growth, self-awareness, and actionable goal setting.
  4. Small Cohort Collaboration
    Belonging to a small cohort group provides opportunities to develop communication and collaboration skills, engage in meaningful academic and professional interactions, and enhance learning through shared knowledge and experiences.

Who Should Apply

There are no restrictions on who may apply, provided students meet the eligibility requirements (see Program Eligibility). However, PLIP is particularly suited for students who align with the following criteria:

  • Rising Sophomores and Juniors:
    Helpful for students in their early years of college who are still exploring academic and professional interests.
  • Curious Learners:
    Perfect for students who are unsure of their specific interests but eager to expand their horizons and engage with a diverse set of topics.
  • Bridging Academic Fields:
    Best suited for students interested in learning how policy, types of organizations, and communities intersect.
  • Exploratory Mindset:
    Ideal for students who are intrigued by the concept of public affairs and policy but seek to deepen their understanding of what it entails in theory and practice.

Application Deadline

Registration for the UCLA Public Leadership Impact Program will open February 15th, 2025. The deadlines to submit a complete application are June 13, 2025 for domestic students and April 25, 2025 for international students.

Fees and Payments Info

The program fee includes access to the co-curricular activities and the unit fees for the UCLA coursework offered as part of the program (i.e., 6 units for Public Affairs 87 and 113) and thus varies by UC student status. In addition to the program fee, students are assessed other campus and administrative fees during the summer. This is a summary of fees that commonly apply to the selected student type.

Housing is not included in the program fee.

Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California. Visit the fees, payment, and financial aid section for important disclaimer, as well as more details on fees, payment instructions, and information on delinquency, refunds, and financial aid. Visiting students who are first-time Summer Sessions students will be required to pay a $50 document fee.

*Applicants who apply after May 1 will have two weeks to submit payment from the date they are admitted.

Program Fee
$2,816.00
Ackerman Student Union Fee
$16.20
Ackerman/Kerckhoff Seismic Fee
$37.67
Wooden Center Fee
$7.80
SPARC Fee
$27.00
Undergraduate Student Association Fee
$55.45
PLEDGE Fee
$22.84
IEI Fee
$61.00
Document Fee (incoming UCLA students only)
$50.00
Total Estimated Fees:
$3,093.96
* Fees only apply for certain student types

General Inquiries

The Summer Public Leadership Impact Program (PLIP) is a six-week long academic experience designed for individuals interested in integrating knowledge of public affairs and the policy field into their academic studies.

The program provides participants not only the opportunity to study at UCLA and earn UC credit alongside UCLA undergraduate students, but also real-world knowledge to prepare them to take on the many leadership challenges facing the world today.

In addition to two UCLA courses, students will have access to various academic opportunities to support their success at UCLA and help them take their first step toward leadership-oriented roles.

PLIP is a fully immersive six-week college experience that lasts the duration of a regular summer session term at UCLA. All students must enroll in Public Affairs 87 and 113. All PLIP participants will attend these courses alongside both matriculated and visiting students for a fully authentic UCLA experience.

In addition to academic courses, PLIP students will have exclusive access to co-curricular components designed to enhance intellectual rigor, discover issue-driven learning, and begin to consider professional pathways.

PLIP is intended for high-achieving students who have completed at least one year of an undergraduate degree program. We invite students from all around the world to apply as long as they are ready to commit to the program’s schedule which is considered full-time.

 

Enrollment in PLIP does not have any bearing on future admission to UCLA or any other University of California campus. With that being said, participating in a program such as PLIP will prepare students for success in their future graduate-level careers at any leading college or university around the world, and may strengthen their applications.

PLIP
Application

Once you have accessed the PLIP application, available starting in February 2025, you will be prompted to upload your supporting documentation. Please note the required file formats for each upload, as not all file types are accepted by our registration system.

You can contact plip@summer.ucla.edu to see if your application has been received. Once you have completed the application, the finish point will inform the candidate that their application has been received and specify which email an admission decision will be sent to. Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the application is filled out correctly and proper documents are being uploaded. The Summer Sessions Office will not contact students about errors on their application.

Admissions will vary depending on when candidates apply. You can expect an admission decision within 1-2 weeks after applying.

The Decision Deadline is when students must decide if they wish to enroll in the program. The Decision Deadline for international students who require a visa to attend in person is April 15 and for domestic students it is May 1.

Standardized test scores are not a part of the PLIP admissions requirements, with the exception of proof of English Proficiency if you are an international student whose coursework is not primarily taught in English (see International Students under Application Information).

 

Complete enrollment instructions will be shared in the acceptance email.

Grades
and Transcripts

Students outside the UC system should verify their institution’s credit-granting process. Transfer of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution.

Students who apply to a University of California (UC) school should provide information on their participation in UCLA Summer Sessions during application.

Yes, all courses taken by PLIP participants will generate an official UCLA transcript, and each course taken will be listed individually. Please note that beyond the transcript, participation in PLIP does not result in the conferral of a degree or official credential of any kind from UCLA.

UCLA is on the quarter system and awards quarter units. To convert quarter units into semester units, multiply the quarter units by .66*. For example,

  • 4 quarter units from UCLA transfers as approximately 2.67 semester units
  • 5 quarter units from UCLA transfers as approximately 3.33 semester units

*This is an estimate and conversion may differ between schools. Be sure to verify with your home institution.

Students can order a transcript online through MyUCLA under the “Classes” tab and then “Grades and Transcripts” or by submitting a Transcript Request Form to the Registrar’s Office.

If you have trouble logging in to your MyUCLA account, please contact the UCLA IT Support Center for MyUCLA assistance at 310-267-4357 or help@it.ucla.edu.

Campus Life

Yes, PLIP students will have access to many of UCLA’s campus amenities, including recreation facilities, libraries, study areas, computer labs, and the Undergraduate Writing Center, among others.

While a BruinCard is highly recommended, it is not required.

A UCLA BruinCard is a student identification card used to confirm status and eligibility for services. Below are select features of the BruinCard:

  • Official University ID
  • Debit Card
  • Library Card
  • Gym Pass
  • Meal Card
  • Access Card for Residence Hall
  • Laundry Card

The BruinCard process can be started online by submitting a photo or completing the process in person at 123 Kerkhoff Hall. Please reach out to the BruinCard Center for more information.

Academics

The Study List on MyUCLA records all classes in which a student is enrolled for a term.

There is a Class Planner feature on the Study List that helps students plan classes for a term. Students are responsible for avoiding class conflicts or multiple same-day final examinations.

Students cannot receive credit for classes not shown on the Study List as this is the official enrollment tool. Please note the grading basis for each class as listed on the study list. The study list should be checked after all enrollment transactions.

Students will be responsible for preparing for all required materials for their enrolled courses. Check the class textbook information of each enrolled course; if not listed, please contact your instructor or the department.

Students are encouraged to plan for classroom materials such as notebooks, pens, etc. that they would use for any other class.

Laptops and mobile devices are not required for students to participate in PLIP, but they are very strongly encouraged. Students who are on campus may have access to UCLA computer labs and other computing resources at multiple locations across campus.

All PLIP students are required to take two courses. Enrollment in Public Affairs 113 and Public Affairs 87 is required of all participants.

Important: To qualify for F-1 student visas, all international students must enroll in a minimum of 6 units in order to meet the I-20 eligibility requirements.

Yes, every course will require homework and/or study time outside of class.

No. PLIP courses are regular ten-week courses compressed into six weeks, so missing any portion of the course will put you at a great disadvantage. It is crucial to attend all of the course meetings and all co-curricular programming.

Please let your instructor (or teaching assistant/TA, where applicable) know that you are having difficulty with the material and they will be able to help you. Every instructor and TA is required to have at least one office hour every week. Utilize office hours to get the questions you have answered.

If you need to drop the course, be sure to follow all deadlines and procedures for doing so.

Important: The deadlines to drop a course and the refund deadlines may not be the same.

Feel free to reach out to us at plip@summer.ucla.edu if you need assistance.

Let the instructor know well in advance and they will determine if other arrangements can be made. Please note that the instructor is not required to schedule an alternate exam time to accommodate your needs*.

A course may not be dropped or removed from your record if you take the final exam.

*In compliance with Section 92640 of the California Education Code, the University must accommodate requests for alternate examination dates for any test or examination at a time when that activity would not violate a student’s religious creed. This requirement does not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship which could not reasonably be avoided.

Health and
Safety

Students must maintain sufficient health, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance while traveling to and from the program, as well as throughout participation in the program. By registering in the program, you have certified that you have sufficient insurance coverage.

In the event that students are ambulatory and need minor medical attention during the program’s activities on campus, they will seek medical attention at the UCLA  Student Health & Wellness Center within normal university business hours. Treatment at the Ashe Center may result in additional fees for such services.

In other cases that require medical care or involve a medical emergency, paramedics may be called. UCLA and the Regents of the University of California shall not assume responsibility for any of the student’s medical expenses. UCLA will make reasonable efforts to inform parents/guardians of those instances of which it is aware that medical attention was required.

Residential Housing (optional)

The dorm rooms include a bed, desk, closet, and trash bin. Bedding basics (sheets, blanket, and pillow) will also be provided.

Students that sign up for housing will have choices as to how many meals they wish to purchase as part of their housing contract. UCLA has several on-campus dining options for students of all dietary needs.

Outside of special events, no meals are provided for students who are living off-campus.

Roommates are assigned by the UCLA Office of Housing. Please direct any questions about roommate assignments during summer to the Housing office.

The safety of students is our top priority. Safety precautions include 24-hour front desk service, surveillance cameras, key access only, and the presence of the university police force (UCPD).

PLIP students are expected to adhere to the participant agreement and Campus Regulations.

UCLA Housing provides trained RA staff who live on each floor of a given residence hall.