The Undergraduate Certificate in Data Analytics in Public Policy will provide undergraduate students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue 21st century careers in data analytics in public policy by providing enhanced training in data collection, data management, data visualization, and data analysis and interpretation with respect to public policy, in particular, and the social sciences, more broadly. The certificate program requires students to complete coursework covering specialized quantitative methods commonly used by analysts in all sectors of the economy. The certificate also places students on an advanced track to post-secondary education.

Curriculum

Introductory Studies (choose one of the following for 3 hours):

  • POLS 2000, Introduction to Political Science (3 hours)
  • PADP 3100, Introduction to Policy Analysis (3 hours)

Policy Studies (choose one of the following courses for 3 hours):

  • INTL 4250, American Foreign Policy (3 hours)
  • INTL 4260, Foreign Policy Decision Making (3 hours)
  • INTL 4415, Practicum – Methods and Training in Security Studies (3 hours)
  • INTL 4430, United States National Security Policy (3 hours)
  • INTL 4450, Global Security Policy (3 hours)
  • PADP 4650, Policy Process (3 hours)
  • POLS 4705, Law and Politics of Public Land (3 hours)

Core Quantitative Studies (choose one of the following for 3 hours):

  • INTL 4000, Research Design and Quantitative Analysis in International Affairs (3 hours)
  • POLS 4150, Research Methods in Political Science (3 hours)
  • PADP 4660, Program Evaluation (3 hours)

Methodology Electives Students pursuing the Capstone Experience must complete two of the following courses (for 6 hours,) whereas students not pursuing the Capstone Experience option must complete three of the following courses (for 9 hours):

  • POLS 3220, Introduction to Modeling in Political Science (3 hours)
  • POLS 3230, Political Analysis in R (3 hours)
  • POLS 4156E, Online Political Research and Analysis (3 hours)
  • POLS 4155, Analyzing Political Behavior (3 hours)
  • POLS 4641, The Science of Cities (3 hours)
  • INTL 2002, Networks in International Affairs (3 hours)
  • INTL 4004E, Data Analytics for International Policy (3 hours)
  • INTL 4005, Social Experimentation Around the World (3 hours)
  • INTL 4006, Qualitative Methods for International Affairs and Policy (3 hours)

Capstone Experience Option – Students pursuing the capstone option must complete one of the following opportunities (for 3 – 12 hours). To be admitted to the Capstone Experience, students must have completed at least three (3) courses in the certificate program, one of those being their Core Quantitative Studies course. Students will be expected to coordinate the parameters of their Capstone Experience with a faculty supervisor:

  • INTL 4960R, Faculty-Mentored Undergraduate Research I (1-6 hours)
  • INTL 4990R, Undergraduate Research Thesis (or Final Project) (1-6 hours)
  • POLS 4960R, Faculty-Mentored Undergraduate Research I (1-6 hours)
  • POLS 4990R, Undergraduate Research Thesis (or Final Project) (1-6 hours)
Eligibility

To be admitted, a student must have completed 30 credit hours, including POLS 1101 and one upper division studies course in POLS, INTL, or PADP, and have a cumulative UGA GPA of 3.2 or higher. As part of the application, a student must submit an essay (of not more than 500 words) to explain their interest in the certificate program.

THE GUPTA FAMILY DATA ANALYTICS IN PUBLIC POLICY CERTIFICATE AWARD

The Gupta Family Data Analytics in Public Policy Certificate Award aims to prepare a diverse, data-conversant public sector workforce by providing support to students in SPIA’s Data Analytics in Public Policy Certificate program.

Eligible student recipients must meet at least two of the following criteria: (1) history of overcoming unique challenges; (2) first generation college student;
(3) member of a low income family; (4) reside in a rural or inner-city location; (5) raised in a single parent household.

Students can receive up to $2,000 in support based on qualifications.