Programs
Policy Analysis
(15 credit hours) The Policy Analysis concentration combines an understanding of the policy process with the skills to create and consume accurate and actionable research and information designed to address public policy problems.
Concentration requirements emphasize the acquisition of quantitative and analytic skills that may be used to inform public policy decisions. The Policy Analysis field electives aim to provide students with additional skills used for policy analysis, and/or to provide students with the contextual knowledge needed to analyze policies in a substantive area. The electives change frequently, and often include topics courses as well as courses in a wide variety of policy areas: health, economic development, education, social policy transportation, energy, etc. In general, this substantive knowledge component requires more than one course in the same area. Consequently, it is important that the plan include early consultation with a concentration advisor.
Students may also acquire this substantive knowledge by combining the Policy Analysis concentration with other concentrations. For example, dual concentrations in Policy Analysis and Sustainable Development would prepare one to do work in sustainability with a more analytical approach. As in all concentrations, students may not use MPA Core courses to fulfill concentration requirements.
The following three courses are required (9 credit hours)
| SPEA-P 507 | Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-P 541 | Benefit Cost Analysis | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-P 562 | Public Program Evaluation | (3 cr.) |
Electives: (6 credit hours) In consultation with a concentration advisor, select two courses from the list below:
| AADM-Y 500 | Cultural Districts and Local Arts Policy | (3 cr.) |
| AADM-Y 559 | Public Policy and Arts | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-D 573 | Development Economics | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-D 577 | International Economic Strategies and Trade Policy | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-D 583 | Conflict and Development | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-D 669 | Economic Development, Globalization, and Entrepreneurship | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-E 574 | Energy Systems in Transition | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-F 526 | Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-F 542 | Governmental Financial Accounting and Reporting | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-F 609 | Seminar in Public Revenue Theory and Administration | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-F 610 | Government Budget and Program Analysis | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-F 667 | Seminar in Public Capital and Debt Theory | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-H 524 | Health Industry Regulation | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-H 525 | Health Economics for Policy and Management | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-H 526 | Healthcare Finance | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-H 549 | Health Policy | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-I 515 | Data Science for Public and Environmental Affairs | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-L 568 | Management of Local Government Services | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-L 622 | Local Economic Development | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-M 547 | Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-N 521 | The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-N 523 | Civil Society and Public Policy | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-N 557 | Proposal Development and Grant Management | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-P 539 | Management Science for Public Affairs | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-R 535 | International Environmental Policy | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-R 564 | Environmental and Natural Resource Policy Design and Implementation | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-R 625 | Environmental Economics and Policy | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-R 626 | Energy Policy Seminar | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-R 643 | Natural Resource Management and Policy | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-R 645 | Environmental Law | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-R 674 | Energy, Economics and Policy | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-V 550 | Poverty and Social Welfare Policy | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-V 559 | Principles and Practices of Social Entrepreneurship | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-V 640 | Law, Public Management, and Public Policy | (3 cr.) |
| SPEA-X 511/E 501 | Human Behavior and Energy Consumption | (3 cr.) |