two policy students working on laptops

Policy Analysis Certificate

Enhance your analytical skills in political, non-profit and public policy.

The Policy Analysis graduate certificate provides the analytic skills needed to conduct or understand policy analysis and program planning. The certificate will prepare you to work in the public or not-for-profit sectors.

Program type:
Certificate - Graduate
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
1-2 years
Credit hours:
9

Why earn a policy analysis certificate at UND?

Graduate Application Deadlines
Fall:
May 15* | Aug. 1
Spring:
Oct. 15* | Dec. 1
Summer:
March 15* | May 1

*Priority deadline

This program’s core courses provide a solid background in research methods, policy analysis and public policy. You’ll learn how to evaluate policies, conduct research and advocate for policy solutions. Customize your certificate in Policy Analysis by selecting from a broad range of electives.

UND’s Policy Analysis certificate provides formal recognition for policy studies. You'll understand specific topics related to policy, including:

  • Various approaches to analyzing political phenomena.
  • Techniques of empirical research including research design, measurement, data gathering and data analysis.
  • Use of empirical theory and techniques to make policy choices.
  • Initiation, formulation, adoption, implementation and evaluation of American public policy.
  • Contemporary structural and policy problems of state and local governments.
  • Structures, processes, procedures and positions of the legislative and executive offices in government.

Certificate in Policy Analysis to M.P.A.

Apply your certificate coursework toward a Master of Public Administration degree from UND. You'll learn to confront issues such as ethics, management, leadership and public policy.

Online Policy Analysis Certificate

  • 100% Online: You are not required to come to campus at any time. All courses are online.

  • Part-Time: Designed for working professionals who are unable to complete a full-time, on-campus program.

  • Flexible: Available online with "live" Web classes held in the evenings (typically one evening per week for 3 hours).

Policy Analysis Careers

Rigorous policy analysis is a highly sought after skill set in today's world of data-driven decision-making. With a graduate certificate in Policy Analysis from the University of North Dakota, you will have advanced analytic skills that will benefit your career in the public service or not-for-profit sector.

If you currently work in the field, the Policy Analysis graduate certificate is an ideal way for you to strengthen your skills, confidence and credentials. Even non-profit or public program managers who do not conduct research themselves must understand the information provided in research reports in order to make informed decisions.

Policy Analysis Certificate Course Options

POLS 500. Research Methods. 3 Credits.

A statistics course or consent of instructor. This course will first focus on various approaches to analyzing political phenomena with the goal of developing students' ability to think analytically and to distinguish between empirical and normative analysis. The course will then introduce techniques of empirical research including research design, measurement, data gathering, and data analysis. Prerequisite: A statistics course or consent of instructor.

POLS 501. Political and Public Policy Analysis. 3 Credits.

This course focuses on the use of empirical data both to develop empirical theory and to make policy choices. Topics to be discussed include hypothesis testing, public choice, and policy evaluation. Students will be required to complete an original research project. Prerequisite: POLS 500 or consent of instructor.

POLS 502. Problems in State and Local Governments. 3 Credits.

Directed in-depth inquiry into contemporary structural and policy problems of state and local governments. During the course, each student will prepare a research paper relevant to a current problem suitable for publication and distribution to an identifiable body of public officials and citizens for problem-solving purposes. On demand.

POLS 532. Public Policy. 3 Credits.

A discussion of the initiation, formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation of American public policy. Various policy areas such as agriculture, education, environment, and welfare will be analyzed.

POLS 508. Legislative and Executive Processes. 3 Credits.

Description, analysis, and evaluation of the structures, processes, procedures, and positions of the legislative and executive offices in government. On demand.

POLS 552. Health Policy. 3 Credits.

This course examines historic and contemporary trends in health care delivery in the United States. Emphasis is placed on addressing health care cost-containment issues; access to health care and, recent efforts to invoke broadly based systemic reforms of the U.S. health care system.

Explore More Options

Connect with faculty you'll work with at UND or discover similar graduate certificates.

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