Master of Public Policy and Data Analytics

This course will introduce you to key elements of data analytics, including data preparation, analysis, visualization, and presentation. This course will also provide basic knowledge of public policy. Students will identify where data and analytics can be used to help create informative and compelling analyses that provide valuable evidence in public policy debates.

This class covers the statistical tools students will encounter in the public sector. Students will be introduced to probability, statistical inference, and linear regression. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing data using Excel, which is widely used across both the public and private sectors.

A leader must effectively analyze and explain complex data to stakeholders in clear, understandable language. Learn to analyze and interpret data to tell a clear and compelling “story”, manage the projects and programs, then implement policy. Topics covered will include data management, data visualization, statistical analysis, and machine learning. In addition, new tech-enabled methods of collecting and understanding data will be explored as they relate to policy administration.

Developing and applying new sources of knowledge is crucial to effective leadership and organizational success. This course covers research design, data collection, data analysis, and how to communicate research findings. Qualitative and quantitative research methods, experimental and non-experimental research, survey instrument development and use, case studies, content analysis, and secondary data analysis are covered. Equitable outcomes and the domains of sustainability, climate change, and social responsibility are of increasing importance to public sector leaders, and this course will explore sustainability, environmental awareness, and equitable outcomes in research design and methods and will be addressed.

This course will teach the core principles of policy-making, emphasizing evidence-based strategies informed by robust data analytics and grounded in public law. Students will discuss ethics in the public sector, focusing on legal frameworks and ethical considerations that guide decision-making processes.

This course examines the practical challenges and opportunities involved in implementing and managing public policies. Students will learn how to translate policy goals into effective programs, analyze implementation processes, evaluate program performance, and adapt policies based on data-driven insights. The course emphasizes the use of data analytics to inform decision-making throughout the policy lifecycle, from design and implementation to evaluation and revision. Ethical considerations, data privacy, and community engagement are integral components of the course.

This course will provide students with fundamental principles of and practical experience in presenting data in a visual form for communication and analysis in public policy. Students will learn to become trusted advisers to decision-makers with refined abilities to inform and persuade with data.

This course will help students understand how data can be used to shed light on various policy issues. Students will examine ethical and legal considerations in data usage, privacy, and governance.

Demonstrate applied data science and public policy knowledge and skills gained through the program to a real-world challenge. The capstone project will vary depending on student interest and goals. Students will work with practicing professionals or industry partners in a relevant field to define and develop their capstone project.