Curriculum, Course Sequence, & Degree Requirements

The curriculum for the Evening Master's Program consists of 8 courses over 4 quarters combined with 4 seminars on current topics in public policy. Courses are sequential and tailored to the needs mid-career professions.

Students will take 2 full-credit courses and a one quarter-credit seminar course every quarter. The full-credit courses meet once per week in the evenings. The quarter-credit seminars meet one Saturday per quarter.

Coursework

Coursework covers the following areas:

Data Analytics Sequence

• PPHA 58001 - Data Analytics I: Quantitative Analysis for Public Policy

• PPHA 58002 - Data Analytics II: Introduction to Program Evaluation

This sequence is meant to give students a foundation in statistical methods of analysis. The first course provides an introduction to quantitative analysis, with a particular focus on the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate quantitative claims and think about how to generate more credible evidence. The goal of the second course is to introduce students to program evaluation and provide an overview of current issues and methods to evaluate a program's impact.

Leadership and Negotiations

• PPHA 58050 - Leadership and Negotiations

This course complements the technical skills students build in the rest of their courses. The first set of classes will present various leadership styles and provide candidates with practical recommendations to enhance their own leadership style. Subsequent lectures will discuss negotiation strategies and tactics and provide students with the tools to help them prepare for and succeed in negotiations. Finally, students will study effective approaches for advocacy and lobbying.

Economic Analysis Sequence

• PPHA 58101 - Economic Analysis I: Microeconomics

• PPHA 58102 - Economic Analysis II: Introduction to Cost Benefit Analysis

• PPHA 58103 - Public Finance and Budgeting

The economics component of the curriculum includes three courses, Microeconomics emphasizes on understanding markets, market failures, and welfare analysis. Introduction to Cost-Benefit Analysis will teach students how to evaluate a cost-benefit analysis and the benefits of incorporating a cost-benefit analysis into their work. Public Finance and budgeting teaches students how to evaluate a government or non-profit organization’s financial health, the most pressing threats to that health, and strategies to improve it.

Analytical Politics Sequence

• PPHA 58201 - Analytical Politics I: Foundations

• PPHA 58202 - Analytical Politics II: Politics and Policy Making

The first course in this sequence will introduce students to political philosophy, basic game theory, strategic sources of social dilemmas, and foundational problems in governance. The second course in the sequence will focus on how U.S. political institutions shape and constrain domestic policymaking. Together, these courses will give students an analytical lens with which they can understand public policy and influence change in policy.

Current Topics Seminars (4)

• PPHA 59100 - Current Topics in Public Policy I

• PPHA 59200 - Current Topics in Public Policy II

• PPHA 59300 - Current Topics in Public Policy III

• PPHA 59400 - Current Topics in Public Policy IV

These four seminar-style classes will focus on different policy areas. Examples include energy policy, health policy, education policy, social policy, child development, conflict and national security, economic and political development, electoral administration, and political reform. Topics will change from year-to-year depending on instructor and current events.

Course Sequence

The course sequence is exemplified by this sample expected academic plan:

Quarter 1

• Data Analytics I: Quantitative Analysis (100 credits)
• Public Finance and Budgeting (100 credits)
• Current Topics in Public Policy I (25 credits)

Total credits in Quarter 1: 225 credits

Quarter 2

• Data Analytics II: Introduction to Program Evaluation (100 credits)
• Economic Analysis I: Microeconomics (100 credits)
• Current Topics in Public Policy II (25 credits)

Total credits in Quarter 2: 225 credits

Quarter 3

• Analytical Politics I: Foundations (100 credits)
• Economic Analysis II: Introduction to Cost Benefit Analysis (100 credits)
• Current Topics in Public Policy III (25 credits)

Total credits in Quarter 3: 225 credits

Quarter 4

• Analytical Politics II: Politics and Policy Making (100 credits)
• Leadership & Negotiations (100 credits)
• Current Topics in Public Policy IV (25 credits)

Total credits in Quarter 4: 225 credits

Degree Requirements

To earn your degree you must complete the following requirements:

• Successful completion of the 8 EMP Core Courses and all four graduate-level seminars (900 units of credit).
• A cumulative grade point average of 2.7 for all courses used toward the degree, based on a 4.0 scale.
• Each required course must be passed with a C- or better.
• Only the .25 credit Current Topics courses are eligible for pass/fail grading.
• Policies on the the results of not meeting these requirements can be found on the Harris policies page.
• Any questions about these requirements can be sent to the Harris Dean of Students Office at harrisdeanofstudents@uchicago.edu.

Note: Courses with grades of F, I, W, or with no reported grade do not apply toward the 9-course requirement for the program.

Program Contacts

Students with questions about program requirements may contact EMP Program Director, Ani Gatz, (anig@uchicago.edu) or the Harris Dean of Students, Kate Shannon Biddle (kbiddle@uchicago.edu).  Your contact at UChicagoGRAD is Amanda Young, Associate Director, Graduate Student Affairs (amanday@uchicago.edu).