Master of Public Policy

Prerequisites

While there are no specific course prerequisites, entering students will benefit from exposure to undergraduate courses in economics, political sciences, sociology, college algebra, statistics, public policy, 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:

Students must maintain at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average to graduate.

I. Major Required Core Courses: 21 semester credit hours

Policymaking and Institutions (6 semester credit hours)

• PPPE 6347 Proseminar in Political Institutions and American Politics
• PPPE 6329 Ethics, Culture, and Public Policy

Methodology (Statistics, Research Design, and related courses - 9 semester credit hours)

• Methods Core (Algebra-based or Calculus-based)
  • Algebra-based series
    • EPPS 6313 Introduction to Quantitative Methods
    • EPPS 6316 Applied Regression
  • or
  • Calculus-based series
    • EPPS 7313 Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
    • EPPS 7316 Regression and Multivariate Analysis
    • Choose one course from the following:
      • PPPE 6310 Research Design I
      • EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
      • EPPS 7304 Cost-Benefit Analysis

Economics (3 semester credit hours)

• Choose one course from the following:
  • PPPE 6321 Economics for Public Policy
  • PPPE 6365 The Innovation Economy

Research Workshop or Internship (3 semester credit hours)

• A PPPE Policy Research Workshop or internship or substitution as approved by the program head.

Students may request that alternative courses be substituted in the core with the approval of the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies.

II. Prescribed Electives: 9 semester credit hours

Students complete nine semester credit hours in ONE of the following areas of the field. (Social and Health Policy, Security Studies, Geographic Information Systems, or Analytic Methods). All courses must be approved by the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies.

A. Social and Health Policy

• PPPE 6313 Human Organizations and Social Theory
• PPPE 6340 Domestic Social Policy
• PPPE 6341 Health Policy
• PPPE 6343 Global Health Policy1
• PPPE 6350 Social Stratification
• PPPE 6356 Health and Illness
• Other courses as approved by the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies

B. Security Studies

• PPPE 6361 Civil Conflict
• PPPE 6369 National and International Security Strategies and Policies
• PPPE 6363 Conflict and Development1
• PSCI 6321 Proseminar in Comparative Politics
• PSCI 6319 Proseminar in International Relations
• PSCI 6306 Human Rights and International Law
• PSCI 7318 Conflict Management
• PSCI 7330 International Conflict
• PSCI 7335 Theories of International Relations
• PPPE 7313 Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency
• Other courses as approved by the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies

C. Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• GISC 6381 (GEOS 6381) Geographic Information Systems Fundamentals1
• GISC 6384 (GEOS 6384) Advanced Geographic Information Systems
• And one of the following:
  • GISC 5322 (GEOS 5322) GPS (Global Positioning System) Satellite Surveying Techniques
  • GISC 5324 (GEOS 5324) 3D Data Capture and Ground Lidar
  • GISC 6301 GIS Data Analysis Fundamentals
  • GISC 6317 GIS Programming Fundamentals
  • GISC 6325 (GEOS 5325) Remote Sensing Fundamentals
  • GISC 6363 Internet Mapping and Information Processing
  • GISC 6385 (GEOS 6385) GIS Theories, Models and Issues
  • GISC 6388 Advanced GIS Programming
  • GISC 7310 Advanced GIS Data Analysis
  • GISC 7360 GIS Pattern Analysis
  • GISC 7361 Spatial Statistics
  • GISC 7365 (GEOS 5326) Advanced Remote Sensing
  • Other courses as approved by the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies

D. Analytic Methods

• EPPS 6324 Data Management for Social Science Research
• EPPS 6346 Qualitative Research Orientation
• EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences1
• EPPS 7304 Cost-Benefit Analysis
• EPPS 7318 Structural Equation and Multilevel (Hierarchical) Modeling
• EPPS 7344 Categorical and Limited Dependent Variables
• EPPS 7368 Spatial Epidemiology
• EPPS 7370 Time Series Analysis I
• EPPS 7371 Time Series Analysis II
• EPPS 7386 Survey Research
• EPPS 7390 Bayesian Analysis for Social and Behavioral Sciences
• EPPS 7V81 Special Topics in Social Science Research Methodology
• Other courses as approved by the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies

E. Program Evaluation (9 semester credit hours)

• EPPS 6352 Evaluation Research Methods in the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
• PPPE 6V91 Evaluation Research (6 semester credit hours)
• PPPE 6310 Research Design I
• EPPS 7304 Cost-Benefit Analysis

Other policy-related field areas proposed by the student and approved by the Program Head are possible.

Students should consult the graduate catalog, and the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies, for additional information regarding those courses that would best satisfy the "Prescribed Electives" requirement.

III. Free Electives: 6 semester credit hours

Students may select six semester credit hours of 6000-level or higher courses. Students may choose courses that are not selected under "Major Required Core Courses" to fulfill this requirement and may choose courses outside the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences.

• 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, nonprofit, 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 behaviour as it applies to the public and nonprofit sectors. Students will understand the ethical obligation of elected and appointed government 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 the Program Head or Director of Graduate Studies of PPPE as soon as possible to discuss options.

What makes a professional career in public policy unique is the emphasis on tackling “wicked problems” – the challenging issues that define the public agenda and call for talented individuals to devote their efforts to finding solutions.

A career in public policy once meant government employment, but given the connections between governments, nonprofits, NGOs, the private sector, and universities, public policy graduates employed in any of these organizations can have highly productive careers that contribute directly to the public good.