Students select a minor field according to their research interests. Students have the option of taking either: a second major field in SPEA, an external minor field, an internal minor field, or a self-designed or individualized minor approved by the Indiana University Graduate School.

• External minor field:  For an external minor field, a three to five course sequence is negotiated between the student and the Progress Review Committee, following the requirements of the department or school offering the minor.  Among the external minor fields chosen by students in the program are Economics, Finance, Political Science, Sociology, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, Statistics, and Geography.
• Internal minor field:  For an internal minor field, students may choose any one of the four major fields (public management, public finance, public policy analysis, and environmental policy) or one of the four minor fields (environmental studies, nonprofit management, regional economic development, urban affairs) offered by SPEA. A four-course sequence (12 credit hours) is negotiated between the student and the Progress Review Committee. Students choosing a third major field for their minor field must take the required courses in that field.
• Self-designed minor field.  Students have the option of a self-designed minor field to provide opportunities for specialized training without requiring the creation and approval of a defined minor field. A four-course sequence (12 credit hours) is negotiated between the student and the Progress Review Committee. Students may combine courses from SPEA and other academic units for their self-designed minor. The University Graduate School must approve a student's proposal for a self-designed minor field (see the University Graduate School Bulletin at http://bulletins.iu.edu/iu/gradschool/2017-2018/requirements/phd/major-minor.shtml).

Courses taken as part of any minor field cannot count toward a major field.