Master of Science in Public Policy
http://www.utdallas.edu/epps/public-policy-and-political-economy/degrees.html
Faculty
Professors: Sheila Amin de Gutiérrez de Piñeres, Kurt Beron, Brian J.L. Berry, Marie I. Chevrier, Lloyd J. Dumas, Euel W. Elliott, Donald A. Hicks, Paul A. Jargowsky, Murray J. Leaf, Richard K. Scotch
Associate
Professors: Bobby C. Alexander, Simon M. Fass, Jennifer S. Holmes, Susan McElroy,
Sheryl L. Skaggs
Mission
The Mission of the Master of Science in Public Policy is to
offer students an interdisciplinary graduate education designed to develop
skills for careers 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 as well as advanced study for careers in research. 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, SPSS, and Stata. A computerized geographic
information system, the Lexis Nexis database and Westlaw
are also available for student use. The University’s Computing Center
provides personal computers and UNIX Workstations. .Many important data and
reference materials are also available online via the library and the school’s
memberships in numerous organizations.
Admissions
Requirement
The
master’s program in Public Policy seeks applications from students with a
baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or college. Although
applications will be reviewed holistically, in general, entering students have
earned a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), and a combined
verbal and quantitative score of 1100 or greater on the Graduate Records
Examination (GRE). 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 economics,
political sciences, sociology, college algebra, statistics, public policy, and
research design.
Grading Policy
In
order to qualify for graduation, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade
point average in their degree program’s core courses plus an aggregate grade
point average of 3.0 for all graduate courses taken in the student’s degree
program at U.T. Dallas.
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
6313 (PA 6313 and PSCI 6313) Public Policymaking and Institutions POEC 7318 (PA
7318) Ethics, Culture and Public Responsibility
2. Methodology [Statistics, Research Design, and related – nine
hours]
Methods Core (Algebra-based or Calculus based)
Algebra-based series
EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods
EPPS 6316 Applied Regression
Calculus based series
EPPS 7313 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
EPPS 7316 Regression and Multivariate Analysis
Students
with a concentration in Legal Studies (See prescribed electives) would
substitute POEC/PSCI 6343 Law and The Policy Process for EPPS 6316/7316.
Select one
of the following:
EPPS 6310 Research Design I
EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic,
Political and Policy Sciences
PSCI 5307 Legal Reasoning and Writing [Students with a
concentration in Legal Studies only]
3.
Economics (Three hours)
POEC 7317
Economics for Public Policy
4. Policy Workshop or Prescribed Elective approved by the MPP Program
Director. (Three hours)
Select
one of the following:
POEC 6V47 (PA 6V47) Policy Research Workshop in Health Care
Policy
POEC 6V62 Policy Research Workshop in Social Policy
POEC 6V76 Policy Research Workshop in Development Studies
Other Workshop course, internship or approved elective.
II.
Prescribed Electives
Students complete nine hours in ONE
area of concentration. All courses must be approved by the Program
Director.
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.
III. Free
Electives
Students may select six hours of 6000 level or higher
courses. Students may choose courses that are not selected under "Core Courses"
to fulfill this requirement and may choose courses outside the School of
Economic, Political and Policy Sciences.