3
Core Courses
Learn about the foundations of public policy, statistics, and data analysis.
Master of Arts in Public Policy
The program you need for the career you want
The MAPP program combines rigorous instruction in key components of public policy development with detailed analysis of specific public policy issues and fieldwork.
The program's core courses teach skills in political, economic, quantitative, and organizational analysis, with a practical focus on the solutions to complex public policy problems. With this foundation, students take one or more courses in a specialized concentration and a related internship or research thesis.
The entire program of 31 credit hours can be completed in one calendar year by full-time students, and within two years by those attending part-time.
For program guidance, please don't hesitate to email us at poliscimaadmissions@stonybrook.edu.
MAPP Degree Requirements
31 Credits | 11 Courses
5
Advanced Policy Courses
Deepen your knowledge with specialized courses ranging from finance to personnel to legal issues.
1
Capstone Experience
Gain real-world experience in an internship or develop a master's paper.
Academic Options
Whether you're looking to gain specialized expertise or accelerate your academic journey, we offer tailored options to help you achieve your goals. Choose from our Dual-Degree Programs or fast-track your education with the Fast-Track BA/MA degree.
Course Descriptions
Core Courses
3 Credits Each
Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation
This course concentrates on the strategies and methods of public policy analysis and evaluation. Students debate the merits of proposed solutions to various policy issues and discover the political constraints on the policymaking process. Skills stressed in this course include cost-benefit analysis, program evaluation, and basic microeconomics.
Introductory Statistics
This course acquaints students with statistics. It begins with the basics of applied statistical analysis, including probability and hypothesis testing, and builds to simple regression analysis. Requires use of computer packages.
Intermediate Statistics
This course utilizes multiple regression analysis and explores violations of the linear model. Requires use of a computer.
Example Elective Policy Courses
3 credits each
State and Local Budgeting and Finance
This course develops the rationale for public taxation and spending programs with a focus on state and local governments. It examines the role of public finance in the economy and explores the use of program and functional budgets, capital and operating budgets, intergovernmental expenditures, etc.
Behavioral Economics & Public Policy
People often behave in ways that deviate from classical economic theories. This course helps students learn about these deviations and to construct public policies around such empirical regularities.
Survey Research Methods
This course studies the techniques of survey research and their application in the development of public policies. Topics include survey design, survey population sampling, use of survey data to frame policy choices and attitudes towards existing policies.
Administrative Law for Policy Analysts
This course examines the role of administrative law in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of public policy. The role of legislation such as the Administrative Procedure Act is explored. Actual cases are analyzed, as well as the broader set of precedents that have emerged in federal, state, and local administrative law proceedings.
Regional Planning
This course addresses the planning process as a decision-making tool in the implementation of public policy in housing, land-use, transportation, and environmental management. The course also investigates intergovernmental relations and the impact of citizen participation on policy changes.
Environmental Politics and Policy
Federal environmental policies, such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, and the Federal Pure Waters Management Act, are examined in this course. The policies, politics, and administrative activities of federal, state, and local levels are considered. Finally, the interaction of the public sector, the private sector, and citizen groups in the implementation of environmental policy is discussed.
Health Economics
The course provides an overview of general economic principles, an understanding of how markets function, and why markets fail in order to understand the effects of economic principles on health care and the effect of health policy and economic forces on the health care delivery system. Students will be taught to use economic concepts to analyze health policy in its ability to improve the delivery of health care services.
Capstone Experience
6-credit internship or thesis
Capstone Preparation Seminar
This course introduces students to the various paths students may take to complete the M.A. in Public Policy (MAPP) program. This course is a prerequisite for POL 597 and POL 598
1 Credit.
AND
Capstone Internship in Public Policy
This course is an applied internship in a public, not-for-profit, or private sector organization that deals with public policy. The student works in the organization and prepares a daily journal of activities, as well as a paper at the conclusion of the course, applying program knowledge to the internship activities.
6 Credits.
OR
Capstone Thesis Project in Public Policy
This course is primarily for students already employed in the related field. In lieu of the internship, the student completes a Master's project which goes beyond their normal employment duties to apply theory and methods to a particular policy issue.