Brooks MPA students in the Data Science concentration develop the capacity to apply advanced data science techniques to analyzing public affairs problems. In addition, these students gain a cutting-edge understanding of current challenges and opportunities surrounding data science in a public sector context, from government applications to ethical and privacy concerns.  Specialists in this area develop the skills required to work in fields such as business intelligence, data analysis, data privacy, and research.

Concentration Gateway Course

• Big Data for Big Policy Problems

Representative Coursework

• Causal Analysis and Impact Evaluation
• AI and Public Sector Decision Making
• Data Science Modeling
• Qualitative, Survey, and Mixed Method Approaches to Policy Research
• Demographic Techniques
• Empirical Strategies for Policy Analysis
• Culture, Law, and Politics of Information Policy
• Data Ethics for Public Policy
• Data Management and Programming
• Data Visualization and Communication

Representative Employers (Full Time & Internships)

• Deloitte
• Ernst and Young
• LexisNexis
• Merck
• Meta
• Microsoft
• Tiktok 
• United States Census Bureau
• Verizon

Representative Occupational Titles

• Data Scientist 
• Research Analyst
• Operations Research Analysis
• Program Evaluation Specialist
• Public Health Analyst
• Data Policy Advisor
• Policy Analyst 
• Policy Fellow 
• Public Policy Specialist
• Chief Data Officer
• Social Impact Data Strategist
• City/County Manager
• Data Governance Officer