Master of Science in Public Policy
http://www.utdallas.edu/epps/public-policy-and-political-economy/
Faculty
Professors: Sheila Amin de Gutiérrez de Piñeres, Kurt Beron, Brian
J.L. Berry, Marie I. Chevrier, Lloyd Jeff Dumas, Euel Elliott, Donald Hicks, Bruce
Jacobs, Paul A. Jargowsky, Murray J. Leaf, Robert Lowry, James Marquart, Richard K. Scotch, Paul Tracy
Associate Professors: Bobby
Alexander, Simon Fass, Jennifer Holmes, Susan McElroy,
Kevin Siqueira, Sheryl Skaggs, John Worrall
Assistant Professors: Robert Morris
Mission
The
Objectives
•
Students
will understand and analyze the principal policy making institutions and the
ways in which they formulate, debate and implement public policies at the
national, sub-national and local levels. Students will examine legislative,
executive, and non-governmental roles in policy formation at different levels
of government. They will analyze the ways in which the various institutions
interact and set policy priorities. They will study policy implementation and
the interrelated functions of levels of governments, non-profit and corporate
entities in policy implementation.
•
Students
will learn and apply quantitative skills and economic theories to measure and
evaluate public policies. They will learn when to apply appropriate techniques
to complex policies. They will demonstrate an understanding of techniques to
examine the preferred outcomes of policy alternatives to advise senior
officials. Students will acquire skills in applying statistical measures of
projected policy outcomes. Students will learn economic theories and acquire
skills in applying those theories appropriately to establish policy objectives
and outcomes.
•
Students
will understand the role of and learn appropriate, rigorous ways to design
research to increase knowledge of public policy and citizen welfare. Students
will learn ways to quantitatively and qualitatively design research projects
that address important public policy questions and concerns.
•
Students
will learn and understand the unique role of ethical theories and behavior as
it applies to the public and non-profit sectors. Students will understand the
ethical obligation of elected and appointed governmental officials to the body
politic. Students will understand the functions of internal and public
oversight of the formation and implementation of public policies.
•
Students
will develop expertise in a substantive area of public policy and learn how to
effectively communicate new findings and innovative policies to senior decision
makers and the general public. Students will study one of three major public
policy disciplines--social policy, health policy or the business-government
relationship. Students will understand the theories and scientific principles
that support these substantive policy areas and the ways in which those
theories are tested. Students will understand how these policy areas contribute
to the well-being of citizens to enhance the quality of life.
•
Qualified
students are encouraged to consider the Ph.D. in Public Policy and Political
Economy (PPPE). Such students should meet
with Program Director of PPPE as soon as possible to discussion options.
Facilities
Students have access to the computing facilities in the
Admissions Requirement
The master’s program in Public Policy seeks
applications from students with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
university or college. Although applications will be reviewed holistically, in
general, entering students have earned a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average
(on a 4.0 scale), and a combined verbal and quantitative score of at least 1100
on the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). Standardized test scores are only
one of the factors taken into account in determining admission. Students should
also submit all transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a one-page
essay outlining the applicant’s background, education, and professional
objectives.
Prerequisites
While there are no
specific course prerequisites, entering students will benefit from exposure to
undergraduate courses in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, college
algebra, and research design.
Grading
Policy
In order to qualify
for graduation, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average in
their degree program’s core courses plus an aggregate grade point average
of 3.0 for all graduate courses taken in the student’s degree program at
UT Dallas.
Degree Requirements
Students seeking a Masters in Public Policy
must complete at least 36 semester credit hours of graduate coursework in the
program. The program has three components:
1.
Twenty-one
semester hours of required coursework
2.
Nine
semester hours of prescribed electives
3.
Six
hours of free electives
Students must
maintain at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average to graduate.
I. Required
Core Courses
1.
Policymaking
and Institutions (Six hours)
POEC 6313 (PA 6313
and PSCI 6313)
Public Policymaking and Institutions
POEC 7318 (PA 7318) Ethics, Culture and
Public Responsibility
2.
Methodology
[Statistics, Research Design, and related – nine hours]
EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative
Methods EPPS 6316 Applied Regression
Students with a concentration in Legal
Studies (See prescribed electives) would substitute POEC/PSCI 6343 Law and The Policy Process for
POEC 6316.
Select
one of the following:
EPPS 6310 Research
Design I
EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in
the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
PSCI 5307 Legal
Reasoning and Writing
3.
Economics
(Three hours)
4.
POEC 7317 Economics for Public Policy Workshop or
Prescribed Elective (Three hours)
Select
one of the following:
POEC 6V47 (PA 6V47)
Policy Research Workshop in Health Care Policy
POEC 6V62 Policy
Research Workshop in Social Policy
POEC 6V76 Policy
Research Workshop in Development Studies
Other Workshop course, internship or approved elective.
II. Prescribed
Electives
Students
complete nine hours in
A. Criminology
B. Domestic
Social Policy
C. Health
Policy
D. International
Conflict and Security
E. Legal
Studies
F. Other
concentration proposed by the student and approved by the Director
Students
should consult the graduate catalog, and the Program Director, for additional
information regarding those courses that would best satisfy the
“Prescribed Electives” requirement.
Students may select
six hours of 6000 level or higher courses. Students may choose courses that are
not selected under “Core Courses” to fulfill this requirement.