This program seeks to provide the analystic skills needed by professionals from many academic backgrounds who are required to do or understand policy analysis and program planning in the public and not-for-profit sector. Even managers who do not do research themselves must understand the work of others if they are to make informed decisions based on the information provided in research reports. Take four of the following courses.

Courses

POLS 500 Research Methods (3 credits) – This course focuses on various approaches to analyzing political phenomena with the goal of developing students’ ability to think analytically and to distinguish between empirical and normative analysis. The course then introduces techniques of empirical research including research design, measurement, data gathering, and data analysis.

POLS 501 Political and Public Policy Analysis (3 credits) – This course focuses on the use of empirical theory and techniques used to make policy choices. Topics to be discussed include hypothesis testing, public choice, and policy evaluation. Students will be required to complete an original research project.

POLS 532 Public Policy (3 credits) – A discussion of the initiation, formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation of American public policy. Various policy areas such as agriculture, education, environment, and welfare will be analyzed.

POLS 502 Seminar: Problems in State and Local Government (3 credits) – Directed in-depth inquiry into the contemporary structural and policy problems of state and local governments. Decision making at the sub-national levels of government is examined in the context of changing federal programs.

POLS 508 Legislative and Executive Processes (3 credits) – Description, analysis, and evaluation of the structures, processes, procedures, and positions of the legislative and executive offices in government.