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Graduate Certificates

Science and Public Policy

Individuals working in scientific careers must be able to work across disciplinary boundaries to address a myriad of challenges confronting public health, the environment, and technological advancement. Decisions made in the public sector play an increasingly important role in dealing with these challenges. The Graduate Certificate in Science and Public Policy offers students the opportunity to develop skills and expertise to prepare them to effectively participate in future careers at the intersection of science and public policy. The program is designed to provide students with an understanding of the political context around policy decisions, particularly in areas of science, technology, health, and the environment. The program also offers students a systematic introduction into the field of policy analysis, giving them the ability to better understand and potentially participate in science policymaking.

The following courses are required:

PA 8170 Public Policy Processes and Strategies

Processes through which public demands are generated, converted into public policy, and implemented. Examines the intersection of politics, policy, and management as well as the diverse strategies and tools of public action.

PA 8430 Public Policy Analysis

Uses economic logic and statistical techniques to design, analyze, and evaluate public policy. Applies social choice theory, cost/benefit analysis, forecasting, regression analysis, trend analysis, time series methods, and other analytic techniques to policy decisions.

Along with ONE of the following:

PA 8171 Environmental Policy

This course is an introduction to U.S. environmental policy, focusing on important political institutions and political actors. The course provides a survey of the primary laws, regulations, and policies that comprise pollution control and natural resource management.

PA 8172 Health Policy

This seminar will examine the health care system in the United States, including government funded programs, regulation of costs, and policies promoting healthy behaviors. The course will examine historical development, recent trends, and methods of health policy analysis.

The fourth course is an elective chosen in consultation with Dr. David Konisky, Director of the Science and Public Policy certificate program. The student may select a graduate-level course in an area of science and public policy, broadly defined. Possible courses may be offered in agricultural economics, economics, political science, public affairs, natural resources, or another appropriate area of study.

For more information about the Science and Public Policy certificate please contact:

Dr. David Konisky
Truman School of Public Affairs
112 Middlebush Hall
Phone: 882-2718
Email: koniskyd@missouri.edu

For more information about applying for the Graduate Certificate in Science and Public Policy or to register for courses, please contact our Office of Academic Programs at Truman@missouri.edu

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