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Robert M. La Follette
School of Public Affairs
1225 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706

Telephone: 608.262.3581
Fax: 608.265.3233

Last updated:
January 4, 2013

Domestic Policy Focus Field: Policy Analysis

Faculty

Master of Public Affairs Degree Program

Courses

Joint Degree Programs

Alumni Employment

Preparation for a career in public affairs requires a sound grounding in policy analysis. All La Follette students receive instruction in the basic tools of policy analysis through the core courses in microeconomics and statistics. Master of Public Affairs students learn to apply these skills through Introduction to Policy Analysis and the final semester's Workshop in Public Affairs, Domestic Issues, which involves team projects for local, state and federal clients.

Students wishing to do policy analysis as a focus field are expected to take three La Follette electives: Quantitative Methods for Public Policy, Cost-Benefit Analysis and Public Program Evaluation. Other electives depend on whether the student is interested in developing general policy analysis skills (e.g., taking additional statistics courses) or analysis skills in a particular policy area (e.g., in educational policy). MPA students may include as electives international public affairs courses that will enable greater understanding of international policy analysis.

Field coordinator: David Weimer

La Follette School Faculty in this Field

Electives from Other Departments

Students may take courses from other departments depending on their interests. Students should consult their advisors if they are unsure whether a course is appropriate for their focus field. These elective courses include:

URPL 751 Introduction to Financial Planning

ECON 741 Theory of Public Finance and Fiscal Policy

ECON 665 International Trade Policy

PS 818 Maximum Likelihood Estimation

ENVIR ST 671 Energy Economics

ENVIR ST 575 Assessment of Environmental Impact

ED POLICY 755 Methods of Qualitative Research

ED POLICY 872 Educational Policyi Research Design and Implementation

SLIS 855 International Cyberlaw and Policy

SW 920 Child, Youth, Family Policy and Services