Public Policy Analysis

Overview of Public Policy Analysis College and University Programs

Public policy analysis programs are offered under Business or Public Policy departments at many accredited colleges and universities.  Assessing healthcare, preventing and responding to poverty, environmental protection, public education and healthcare programs are areas the programs focus on.

Degrees in Public Policy Analysis

You can get one of several college online or offline degrees, diplomas or certificates in public policy analysis.  For example, you can get a Diploma in Public Policy, Certified in Applied Economics and Public Policy, a Bachelor degree of Science in Public Policy and Administration, Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, Bachelor of Science in Public Policy, Master degree of Arts in Public Policy, Master of Science in Public Policy or a Doctorate degree of Science in Public Policy.  Diploma and certificate programs are focused and generally do not require you to complete several electives.  For this reason, you can complete these college and university undergraduate and graduate programs in as little as two years, some in only six months.

Curriculum for Public Policy Analysis Postsecondary Programs

A good thing about public policy analysis college and university degree, certificate and diploma programs is that you will generally take courses that you can use across disciplines.  Of course, the specific curriculum you will be required to complete to graduate depends on the accredited college or university you attend.  However, generally you will take courses such as:

• Research
• Policy finding
• Public policy
• Public administration
• Social policy
• Business and public policy
• Environmental policy
• International relations and policy
• Judgment and decision making
• Science and technology
• Communications
• Introduction to psychology
• Sociology
• Finance
• Accounting
• Math
• Law and ethics
• Qualitative research methods
• Quantitative research methods
• Policy analysis
• Statistics

Benefits and Skills You Get With Public Policy Analysis Degrees

After you get public policy analysis degrees from accredited postsecondary schools, you gain several skills and benefits like:

• Critical thinking skills
• Advanced reasoning and negotiation skills
• Ability to positively influence public decisions and regulations
• Advanced professional training
• In-depth research skills
• Knowledge and skills to help family and community members move forward in society
• Understand how gender, ethnicity and age impact public policy

Working in Public Policy Analysis

Researchers, historians, teachers, public administrators, city council members, government leaders, social workers and community leaders all work with public policies.  These are some of the types of roles and jobs you can fill after you complete your public policy analysis degree, certificate or diploma.  Some of these jobs pay more than $92,000 a year according to the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The Bureau expects jobs in the industry to grow by eight percent from 2008 through 2018.

Ongoing Support for Public Policy Analysis College and University Graduates

The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration is one of the major accrediting agencies for public policy analysis college and university programs.  You can get job search, employment, networking, promotion and career support from national, state and local organizations like the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Foreign Policy Association, fraternity and sorority honor societies and the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.  Some associations allow you to join while you are still attending college or university.  In fact, some organizations and associations offer you the chance to get scholarships to pay for your books, lab fees and tuition.