Policy Analysis
Policy analysis preparation in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) is problem-focused, action-oriented, and interdisciplinary. Students who choose the Policy Analysis concentration will acquire a diverse set of skills that can be applied in many fields-- such as social welfare policy, environmental policy, regulation, and international policy.
Policy analysts assist the public choice process by providing accurate and actionable research and information designed to address society's complex political, social, and technical problems. The intent of policy analysis is not to produce "correct" solutions for society's problems, but to improve decision-making through effective management of information.
Policy analysts address complex problems by breaking them into components and applying a full range of quantitative and qualitative analytic techniques, including operations research, benefit-cost analysis, and program evaluation. The policy analysis portfolio consists of a working knowledge of the policy process, analytic techniques, policy design, and at least one substantive issue area.
Students learn which methodologies are appropriate for various situations, how to design applied studies, and how to develop action-oriented plans and guidelines. Students trained in policy analysis, therefore, have the ability to change the substantive content of their jobs over the life of their careers.
Careers in Policy Analysis
Policy analysis careers are defined and developed in two basic ways. One choice is to become a producer of policy analysis in the form of special studies and formal research projects designed to collect, analyze, and summarize findings from primary data collection. Individuals who produce policy analysis might pursue careers in:
- Policy and planning offices of public and nonprofit agencies
- Think tanks
- Consulting firms
- University institutes
- Legislative oversight bodies
SPEA policy analysis alumni are now pursuing such careers as:
- Social Science Analyst, National Institute of Justice
- Social Policy Analyst and Budget Information Management Specialist, U.S. Office of Management and Budget
- Analyst, U.S. Department of Energy
- Research and Legal Analysts, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Transportation Policy Analyst, U.S. Government Accountability Office
- Human Resource Development Manager, U.S. Government Accountability Office
- Systems Analyst, Exxon
- Senior Policy Analyst, Council of Great Lakes Governors
- Senior Telecommunications Analyst, Indiana Public Utilities Commission
- Senior Associate, Decision Analysis Corporation
- Policy Analyst, U.S. Mint
- Operations Research Analyst, Energy Information Administration
Other policy analysis alumni are consumers of policy analysis and research. A rich assortment of career choices is available in the broad field of applying and communicating policy information as part of the policy process. SPEA graduates are employed in a variety of jobs attached to policy-making institutions and agencies that dispense policy information:
- Deputy Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Professional Staff, National Security Committee, U.S. House of Representatives
- Professional Staff, Wisconsin Legislature
- Congressional Liaison, Federal Aviation Administration
- Executive Director, Water Infrastructure Financing Authority
- Commercial Officer, Airport Authority of Hong Kong
- Vice President Southeast, National Wildlife Federation
- Director, Ministry of Transportation, South Korea
- Legislative Advocate, California Public Interests
- Section Chief, Ministry of Environment, South Korea
Curriculum for the Policy Analysis Concentration
Like all students in the Master of Public Affairs program, students in the Policy Analysis concentration begin building their skills in the 18-hour MPA core. The core courses are:
- Public Management (V502)
- Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making (V506)
- Public Management Economics (V517)
- Law and Public Affairs (V540)
- Public Finance and Budgeting (V560)
- Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs (V600)
To further develop students’ analytical skills, the concentration includes a required course in advanced quantitative analysis (V507 Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs). Students also select two of the following three skills courses:
- Management Science for Public Affairs (V539)
- Benefit-Cost Analysis of Public and Environmental Policies (V541)
- Public Program Evaluation (V562)
SPEA also offers a wide range of elective policy courses to meet individual objectives. In effect, students design their concentrations bearing in mind their own substantive policy interests and the sorts of career opportunities they hope to capture. With the approval of a Policy Analysis advisor, students may select from many elective options, including the following:
- Government Regulation in Market Economies (V510)
- The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (V521)
- Management Science for Public Affairs (V539)
- Benefit-Cost Analysis of Public and Environmental Policies (V541)
- Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs (V547)
- Topics in Public Affairs (V550)
- Public Program Evaluation (V562)
- Environmental Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice (V565)
- International Economic Strategies and Trade Policy (V577)
- Seminar in Urban Economic Development (V622)
- Environmental Economics and Policy (V625)
- Law, Public Management, and Public Policy (V640)
- Economic Development, Globalization, and Entrepreneurship (V669)
For complete details of the Policy Analysis curriculum, please see the Graduate Bulletin.
Faculty Expertise
SPEA faculty are involved in meaningful research in numerous aspects of public policy and publish in the leading scholarly journals. In addition to their academic accomplishments, our faculty bring a rich set of analytical tools based on real-world, hands-on experiences. They frequently serve as consultants on a broad range of policy issues on the local, state, national, and international levels.
Dual Concentrations
Dual concentrations with Policy Analysis and other concentrations offered by SPEA – such as Comparative and International Affairs or Information Systems – offer unique advantages for those wanting to make a difference in particular areas of public affairs. Our faculty work to accommodate these specialized professional interests in the design of student programs.