Public Policy Analysis Certificate

Learn how to analyze and evaluate public policies, develop communication skills to assist in the policymaking process, and gain practical hands-on experience. Regardless of your major or desired career path, employers will appreciate the analytical and evaluative skills that students develop through the Public Policy Analysis Certificate (PPAC).

YOUR MAJOR + PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS = A MARKETABLE COMBINATION

Overview and Requirements

In this interdisciplinary program, students from all majors gain skills related to the policy process and the methodology for analyzing policy problems and programs. These requirements are outlined in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Students complete 18 credit hours:

• Level I: Two courses to gain knowledge on the theories, processes, models, and methods of policy analysis.
• Level II: One course dealing with the interpersonal, interagency, and inter-group communication process that occurs in policymaking.
• Level III: Two courses (from the course list under Third Level) in a substantive policy area (outlined in the next section) to gain specialized knowledge of the topic.
• Level IV: Internship experience taken for academic credit where the student can get hands on experience with policy in the real world working for a non-profit or government agency.

Areas of Policy Specialization

Students work with the Public Policy Analysis Coordinator to create a specialized plan of study based on their interest. Choose from 14 policy areas for level three coursework or work with the Public Policy Analysis Coordinator to identify coursework related to another area of policy.

• Community (Urban and Rural) Policy
• Environmental Policy
• Comparative/International Policy
• Family Policy
• Criminal Justice Policy
• Gender Policy
• Culture/Ethnic Policy
• Gerontology Policy
• Drug Policy
• Health Policy
• Economic Policy
• Immigration Policy
• Education Policy
• Social Policy