Master of Science in Public Policy

45.0 credits

Degree Requirements

Graduation from the program requires the successful completion of 45 credits of graduate coursework. The degree consists of nine required core courses, nine accompanying Case Study Research co-requisites, and three elective courses. With the approval and support of the Center of Public Policy Director, students can craft an MS in Psychology, a specialized course of study with their three electives, or they can take courses in one of three tracks: Environmental Policy; Science and Technology Policy; or Urban Systems Management.

Required courses			27.0 Credits
BUSN 502	Essentials of Economics			3.0
ECON 616	Public Finance and Cost-Benefit Analysis			3.0
COM 705	Statistical Data Analysis in Communication			3.0
INFO 530	Foundations of Information Systems			3.0
PLCY 503	Theory and Practice of Policy Analysis			3.0
PLCY 504	Methods of Policy Analysis			3.0
PLCY 506	Institutional Dynamics of the Policy Process			3.0
PLCY 507	Nonprofit Organizations			3.0
PLCY 509	Sustainability and Public Policy			3.0
Case Study courses			9.0 Credits
The curriculum reinforces coursework with a series of accompanying 1-credit, online, Case Study Research co-requisites. In the first, students are introduced to case study methodology and practice, and required to choose a specific case that they will work on for the duration of the core curriculum. In each subsequent Case Study Research course, students apply the content of each accompanying core course to further research and writing on their case studies. Thus by the end of the program students have produced a polished, in-depth analysis of a specific case that they can use to demonstrate expertise in a given policy area.
PLCY 501	Introduction to Case Study Research			1.0
PLCY 502	Case Study Research*			1.0
*Can be repeated for credit a maximum of 8 times, for 8.0 credits. .
Elective courses			9.0 Credits
Elective courses are taught under the PLCY 590: Special Topics in Public Policy, or one of the participating departments.