Faculty
Professors: Kurt Beron, Brian J.L.
Berry, Lloyd Jeff Dumas, Euel Elliott, Donald Hicks, Paul Jargowsky, Murray
Leaf, Robert Lowry, James Marquart, Todd Sandler, Richard Scotch, Barry Seldon, Paul Tracy
Associate Professors: Bobby
Alexander, Marie Chevrier, Simon Fass, Bruce Jacobs, Jennifer Holmes, Susan
McElroy, Kevin Siqueira, John Worrall
Assistant Professors: Melinda Kane,
Karen Hayslett-McCall, Sheryl Skaggs
Mission
The Mission of the Master of Science in
Public Policy is to offer students an interdisciplinary graduate education
designed to develop skill sets critical for a career in which a solid
understanding of the public policy process and the analysis and evaluation of
public policies are essential. Students will be prepared for analytical and
administrative positions and responsibilities in a wide array of professional
settings in the public, non-profit, and private sectors. Specific skills
include knowledge of the policy process and related ethical concerns, rigorous
research skills that provide students with an essential grounding in
statistical and data analysis and research design, and effective communication
skills.
Objectives
�
Students
will understand and analyze the principal policy making institutions and the
ways in which they formulate, debate and implement public policies at the
national, sub-national and local levels.: Students
will examine legislative, executive, and non-governmental roles in policy
formation at different levels of government. They will analyze the ways in
which the various institutions interact and set policy priorities. They will
study policy implementation and the interrelated functions of levels of
governments, non-profit and corporate entities in
policy implementation.
�
Students
will learn and apply quantitative skills and economic theories to measure and
evaluate public policies. They will learn when to apply appropriate techniques
to complex policies. They will demonstrate an understanding of techniques to
examine the preferred outcomes of policy alternatives to advise senior
officials. Students will acquire skills in applying statistical measures of
projected policy outcomes. Students will learn economic theories and acquire
skills in applying those theories appropriately to establish policy objectives
and outcomes.
�
Students
will understand the role of and learn appropriate, rigorous ways to design
research to increase knowledge of public policy and citizen welfare. Students
will learn ways to quantitatively and qualitatively design research projects
that address important public policy questions and concerns.
�
Students
will learn and understand the unique role of ethical theories and behavior as
it applies to the public and non-profit sectors. Students will understand the
ethical obligation of elected and appointed governmental officials to the body
politic. Students will understand the functions of internal and public
oversight of the formation and implementation of public policies.
�
Students
will develop expertise in a substantive area of public policy and learn how to
effectively communicate new findings and innovative policies to senior decision
makers and the general public.: Students will study
one of three major public policy disciplines--social policy, health policy or
the business-government relationship. Students will understand the theories and
scientific principles that support these substantive policy areas and the ways
in which those theories are tested. Students will understand how these policy
areas contribute to the well-being of citizens to enhance the quality of life.
Qualified
students are encouraged to consider the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Political
Economy (PPPE). Such students should meet with Program Director of PPPE as soon
as possible to discussion options.
Facilities
Students
have access to the computing facilities in the School of Economic, Political
and Policy Sciences and the University�s Computing Center. The School has two
computing laboratories that have over 50 computers that are network linked and equipped
with major social science software packages, including E-Views, R. Rats,
Admissions
Requirement
The
University�s general admission requirements are discussed here.
The
master�s program in Public Policy seeks applications from students with a
baccalaureate degree from an accredited university of college. A 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), and a
combined verbal and quantitative score of at least 1200 on the Graduate Records
Examination (GRE). Students may also wish to consider submitting their
score from the writing component of the GRE test as additional evidence of
their writing skills. Standardized test scores are only one of the factors
taken into account in determining admission. Students should also submit all
transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a one-page essay outlining
the applicant�s background, education, and professional objectives.
Prerequisites
While
there are no specific course prerequisites, entering students will benefit from
exposure to undergraduate courses in the Economic, Political and Policy
Sciences, college algebra, and research design.
Degree Requirements
Students
seeking a Masters in Public Policy must complete at least 36 semester credit
hours of graduate coursework in the program. The program has three components:
1.
Twenty-one
semester hours of required coursework
2.
Nine
semester hours of prescribed electives
3.
Six
hours of free electives
Students must
maintain at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average to graduate.
I.
Required Core Courses
1.
Policymaking
and Institutions (Six hours)
POEC/PA
5303 Public Policymaking and Institutions
POEC/PA 5308 Ethics, Culture, and Public Responsibility
2.
Methodology
[Statistics, Research Design, and related � nine hours]
POEC/PA
5313 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
POEC 5316 Advanced Regression Analysis
Students
with a concentration in Legal Studies (See prescribed electives) would
substitute POEC 5302 Law and the Policy Process for POEC 5316.
Select
one of the following:
POEC
5310 Research Design I
POEC 6352 Evaluation Research
PSCI
6303� Legal
Research and Writing
3.
Economics
(Three hours)
POEC/PA
5307 Economics for Public Policy
4.
Policy
Workshop or Prescribed Elective (Three hours)
Select
one of the following:
POEC
7V47 Policy Research Workshop in Health Care Policy
POEC 7V62 Policy Research Workshop in Social Policy
Other Workshop course, internship or approved elective
II.
Prescribed Electives
Students complete nine hours in
A.
Criminology
B.
Domestic Social Policy
C.
Health Policy
D.� International Conflict and Security
E.� Legal Studies
F.� Other concentration proposed by the student
and approved by the Director
Students should consult the graduate catalog, and the Program Director, for
additional information regarding those courses that would best satisfy the
�Prescribed Electives� requirement.
Students may select six hours of 5000 level or higher
courses. Students may choose courses that are not selected under �Core Courses�
to fulfill this requirement.