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University of Southern California

Certificate Programs

Certificate in Public Policy

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This graduate certificate 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 those who are pursuing another degree and want to complement that work with a specialization in public policy, as well as qualified students holding a bachelor’s degree who have not matriculated at USC. The certificate develops policy analytic skills and their integration with a policy issue area of interest to the student.

Applicants for the Certificate in Public Policy who have not matriculated at USC must make a formal application for admission to the certificate program, provide transcripts of all college work, a resume and one letter of recommendation. The program consists of 16 units of graduate course work.

For a description of the courses below, visit the USC Course Catalogue.

Core Courses (12 Units)

  • PPD 503 Economics for Public Policy (Units: 4)
  • PPD 554 Foundations of Policy Analysis (Units: 4)
  • PPD 555 Public Policy Formulation and Implementation (Units: 4)

Choose one course from a policy area (4 Units)

There are many policy issues courses from which to choose (e.g., health, nonprofit, transportation, environment, housing).

The Master of Public Policy Program Administrator will provide advisement.

Admission Requirements and Application Procedures

Current USC Graduate Students
Applicants for the Certificate in Public Policy who are currently enrolled in a graduate program at USC (and are in good standing with a 3.0 GPA or higher) need only to submit the appropriate paperwork for adding the certificate program, which may be obtained from Suzanne Alexander, Program Administrator, Graduate Programs in Public Policy, in RGL 238 at any time.

Prospective Applicants
Applicants who have not matriculated at USC must make a formal application at the USC Graduate Admission website.

Deadlines:
November 1 – Spring Semester
April 1 – Summer Semester
July 1 – Fall Semester

Please contact the USC Price Office of Admissions at [email protected] for more information.

For certificate programs that meet federal Title IV eligibility, USC is required by the U.S. Department of Education to disclose certain Gainful Employment (GE) information. The following Gainful Employment Disclosure Template link provides information regarding related jobs, cost, loan debt and completion rate for the program:

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