The Center for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is currently seeking project proposals for its Spring 2013 graduate course Policy Analysis. Through this course, small teams of students work on real-life problems affecting public and nonprofit organizations within the confines of actual constraints and opportunities that such organizations face. At the end of the semester, students prepare a final report and present the results of their project to the client. The deadline for proposal submissions is Monday, January 14, 2013.
The Master’s Program in Public Policy and Administration
The Center for Public Policy and Administration is a non-partisan interdisciplinary center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, dedicated to understanding, explaining, improving, and evaluating public policy through active teaching and research. CPPA offers professional degrees in Public Policy and Administration that are designed to prepare students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds for careers in all facets of public service.
What is the Policy Analysis course?
This course provides students in their second semester of the program with the opportunity to both develop policy analysis skills and complete a hands-on project in public policy or administration for a public sector or nonprofit client. The Policy Analysis project comes after students have had coursework in several areas, including:
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods;
- Computer applications including database, word processing, spreadsheet, statistics and Internet programs;
- Organizational development;
- Policymaking and the policy process
- Economics and statistics; and
- Report writing and presentations.
The course teaches students to use those skills to provide advice and recommendations to policymakers and other clients.
What types of projects are appropriate for the Policy Analysis course?
The sponsoring agency or organization should develop a clearly articulated project related to public policy and/or management. This project must be developed prior to the start of the semester and approved by CPPA. Students must be able to report to a supervisor within the sponsoring agency or organization. In addition students will have a CPPA faculty adviser who teaches the Policy Analysis course, Prof. Lee Badgett.
The project should present students with a problem that the sponsor wants to address or a decision that must be made. Ideally, there would be several possible courses of action that should be analyzed to see which best addresses the problem or situation. The project deliverable will be a report that provides the sponsor with a recommendation of a course of action.
When does the Policy Analysis Project take place?
Students will begin working on projects in February 2013 and are expected to complete and present a final product in late April.
How can this benefit your organization?
Agencies and organizations often have ideas for research or projects that they are unable to carry out. Sponsoring a student project through the Policy Analysis course can provide your organization with the opportunity to meet additional needs.
What is the Cost?
There is no charge; however, organizations are expected to cover student expenses related to the project.
How can my agency apply?
Applications can be completed and submitted directly online. If you are unable to complete the application online and would like a hard copy, please email Satu Zoller. The deadline for receiving proposals is Monday, January 14, 2013.
For more information:
If you have questions, please email Prof. Lee Badgett, CPPA Director.