Policy Analysis and Evaluation

Degree Conferred: Certification only

The Program

The Certificate Program in Policy Analysis and Evaluation is offered by the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program at Penn State Harrisburg. The MPA program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.

Who Should Enroll

The program is designed for:

• Policy analysts and policy/program evaluation specialist who work for government and not-forprofit organizations and need to acquire additional knowledge and skills;
• Graduate students and professionals who wish to obtain policy analyst or program/policy evaluation specialist positions in government or not-for-profit organizations.

Certificate Content and Requirements

The Certificate Program in Policy Analysis and Evaluation requires taking four courses (12 credits) for letter grades and maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average. Some of these courses have prerequisites.

Prerequisite Courses

• PADM 503 RESEARCH METHODS, or an equivalent course. Conceptualization and design of research projects, statistical analysis, and interpretation of findings
• PADM 8486 APPLIED STATISTICAL PACKAGE FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS, or demonstrated competency in SPSS statistical software

Required Courses

• P ADM 507 INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS - Introduction to the analysis of public policy within its organizational and political contexts, including an emphasis on an economic perspective. Prerequisites: 3 credits of American Government and 3 credits of economics
• P ADM 535 POLICY ANALYSIS AND PLANNING - Theoretical issues in and basic methods of policy planning and analysis. Prerequisite: P ADM 503 or equivalent
• P ADM 550 POLICY AND PROGRAM EVALUATION - Theoretical issues in and basic methods ofpolicy and program evaluation. Prerequisite: P ADM 503 or equivalent

Elective Course

One course in a substantive public policy area of student’s choice (e.g., health care, criminal justice, economic development, transportation, national security, welfare, education, environmental policy)

Admissions Criteria and Procedures

Individuals who have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university may apply for the certificate program. General information about Penn State’s certificate programs is available here and at Penn State Harrisburg’s web page under "Admission Information."

Applicants must have a 3.0 gradepoint average in the last two years of undergraduate work. This requirement may be waived in exceptional circumstances.

An application for nondegree admission to Penn State Harrisburg must be completed and submitted with copies of all undergraduate degree transcripts. The application form may be accessed here. Students may apply online here.

Students who are already in the MPA program at Penn State Harrisburg must complete a Notice of Intent form to enroll in the certificate program. Please ask the program contact person listed in this publication for a copy of the form.

Policy Analysis and Evaluation Certificate course credits may be used toward completion of the master’s degree in Public Administration at Penn State Harrisburg.

Tuition for the Certificate program may be reimbursed by your employer. Consult with your human resources office.

Additional Information

About Certificate program content and requirements:
Dr. Goktug Morcol
E-mail: gmorcol@psu.edu
School of Public Affairs
Penn State Harrisburg
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057-4898
Phone: 717-948-6126
Fax: 717-948-6320

To request an application:
School of Public Affairs Certificate Programs
Penn State Harrisburg
777 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057-4898
Phone: 717-948-6050

Please note: This page is not a part of the official Penn State Graduate Bulletin.