Public Administration and Social Service Professions
Public Policy Analysis
Focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues and decision processes. Covers the role of economic and political factors in public decision-making and policy formulation, microeconomic analysis of policy issues, resource allocation and decision modeling, cost/benefit analysis, statistical methods, and applications to specific public policy topics.
Inside the major
Programs within this field
Colleges may offer this field under 5 more specific program names. The program you choose affects the courses you take.
- Public Policy Analysis, General
- Focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues and decision processes. Covers the role of economic and political factors in public decision-making and policy formulation, microeconomic analysis of policy issues, resource allocation and decision modeling, cost/benefit analysis, statistical methods, and applications to specific public policy topics.
- Education Policy Analysis
- Focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to education and educational systems at the local, state, national, and international levels. Covers social and cultural issues in education, contemporary educational policies, history of education, economics of education, international and comparative education, education and social change, educational research and evaluation methods, and applications to specific public policy topics.
- Health Policy Analysis
- Focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to domestic and international health and health care systems. Covers contemporary health issues and policies, politics and economics of health care delivery, epidemiology, public health, comparative and global health, medical law and ethics, statistical methods, and applications to specific public policy topics.
- International Policy Analysis
- Focuses on the systematic analysis of public policy issues related to relationships among nations and among governments and non-governmental entities. Covers international politics, governance, financial policy, and security affairs; globalization; economic and social policies of developing nations; and applications to specific public policy topics such as labor and employment, immigration, and human rights.
- Public Policy Analysis, Other
- Public policy analysis not listed above.
Also called Public Policy Analysis
Where it can lead
Careers this field can lead to
Explore related careers, starting with the closest connections and the occupations hiring the most people.
Medical and Health Services Managers
- Median pay
- $123,860
- Hiring change through 2035
- 24.2%
- Job openings a year
- 62,300
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing fastHealth Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $107,310
- Hiring change through 2035
- 17.9%
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- 24,900
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career GrowingSocial Science Research Assistants
- Median pay
- $61,990
- Hiring change through 2035
- 5.0%
- Job openings a year
- 4,900
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Explore this career Growing with the economyPolitical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $98,070
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.5%
- Job openings a year
- 1,500
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career ShrinkingSocial Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
- Median pay
- $101,110
- Hiring change through 2035
- −0.2%
- Job openings a year
- 2,700
To get hiredBachelor's degree
Explore this career Growing with the economyEducation Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $75,350
- Hiring change through 2035
- 2.5%
- Job openings a year
- 5,300
To get hiredDoctoral or professional degree
Explore this career ShrinkingPolitical Scientists
- Median pay
- $142,080
- Hiring change through 2035
- −2.0%
- Job openings a year
- 400
To get hiredMaster's degree
Explore this careerAll work is projected to grow 3.5% between 2025 and 2035; read every hiring-change figure against it. The figures beside each career are the pay of that work, across everyone doing it. Graduates of this field earn $39,057 one year after completing the program, which is the start of a career rather than the shape of one.
Working style
How and where the work happens
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Few of the careers connected to this field are measured as substantially in-person or active work. Compare the specific occupations to see how much time each one involves with people, equipment, and movement.
College options
Where to study it
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