Academics / Concentrations

Policy Research and Analysis

Use data to drive policy forward.

Gain the quantitative, economic, political, and organizational skills to analyze and contribute to policy in the public and private sectors.

This concentration is only available for students enrolled in the Master of Public Administration program.

Areas of Focus

  • Quantitative methods and applied economics
  • Homeland security and crisis response
  • Impact evaluation and program monitoring
  • Social policy and inequity
  • Environmental, energy, and health policy
  • Global public policy and process

Major Courses and Plans of Study

With the policy research and analysis concentration, you will choose from a range of core courses tailored to you interests as well as taking a set of required degree courses.  A set of required degree courses are outlined in the MPA plan of study for this concentration.

Internship Experiences

You’ll use the skills you gain to address real policy issues. Prior to graduation, you’ll also complete a 300-hour internship at an approved site.

Previous Internship Sites

  • Hill + Knowlton Strategies
  • European Union Chamber of Commerce China
  • China International Capital Corporation
  • Weigao Group
  • Government Accountability Office
  • Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Career Paths

Draw on research and analysis to understand and influence policy-making in private and governmental organizations.

Potential Workplaces

  • National, state, and local governments
  • Government agencies like the Government Accountability Office and U.S. Mint
  • Leading consulting firms like Booz Allen Hamilton
Student interns at Google as part of her masters program
students sitting around conference table
Faculty Experts

Work with faculty whose academic backgrounds, fieldwork, and research make them experts in policy research and analysis. 

Weber headshot

Jeremy Weber
Professor

Weber’s research delves into the governance of oil and gas extraction, economic sustainability, and agricultural policy.

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Sera Linardi

Sera Linardi
Associate Professor, Director of the Center for Analytical Approaches to Social Innovation (CAASI) 

Linardi collaborates with social service providers and technology firms through field and laboratory experiments to understand their organizational challenges and how to solve them.

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Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones
PhD Program Director, Associate Professor

As an Applied Microeconomist, Jones' research focuses in the fields of public economics, labor economics, and political economy. Recently focusing on the economics of gender and race, he studies how diversity impacts certain economic, political, and policy outcomes.

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