Certificate in Public Policy
This program provides students with a foundation in public policy analysis. It is designed to provide expertise in public policy to individuals who do not want to pursue the Master of Public Policy degree. Potential students include graduate students who are pursing another degree and want to complement that work with a specialization in public policy, and qualified students holding a bachelor's degree who have not matriculated at USC, but want to acquire these skills. The certificate develops policy analytic skills, and exposure to a policy issue area of interest to the student. These skills allow the student to integrate the analytic methods with the institutional context of a specific policy arena.
» Courses
» Application Materials
» Application Deadlines
Courses
The program consists of 16 units of graduate course work.
Core Courses (8 units)
- PPD 500 – Intersectoral Leadership
- PPD 554 – Introduction to Policy Analysis
- PPD 555 – Public Policy Formulation and Implementation
Choose 4 units from:
- PPD 501ab – Economics for Policy, Planning and Development
- PPD 557 – Modeling and Operations Research
- PPD 558 – Statistical Analysis
- PPD 560 – Methods for Policy Analysis
Choose 1 course from a policy issue area (4 units).
There are many policy issues courses from which to choose (e.g., Nonprofits, Health, Transportation, Environment, Housing). The MPP Director is available for advisement. For additional Information, please contact Professor Juliet Musso, musso@usc.edu.
Application Materials
Applicants for the Certificate in Public Policy who are currently enrolled in a graduate program at USC who are in good standing only need to submit the University’s Change of Major form. This form may be obtained from Cynthia Clayton, Student Services Advisor, cclayton@usc.edu.
Applicants for the Certificate in Public Policy who have not matriculated at USC must make a formal application for admission to the certificate program and must submit the following items:
- a completed USC Graduate Application (may be completed on-line)
- $85 application fee
- official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- a current resume
- one letter of recommendation, preferably an academic reference
- a written statement of approximately 1,500 words addressing the following questions:
- Why are you interested in pursuing the Certificate in Public Policy?
- How will a Certificate of Public Policy affect or enhance your career aspirations and goals?
International students must also submit the following documents:
- official TOEFL scores
- official transcripts indicating the award of all degrees with the title and date conferred in the applicant’s native language and an exact translation into English of each document
- a financial guarantee statement showing proof of the ability to pay all tuition and living expenses
Application Deadlines
February 1: Fall Admission
April 1: Summer Admission
November 1: Spring Admission
Applicants are encouraged to submit their application in a complete package. To do so, they should request that transcripts and letters of recommendation be returned to them in sealed envelopes, and should submit them along with the rest of their materials.