Below is a sampling of courses offered in DC by our DC-based faculty:

(Please note: courses and faculty are subject to change.)

 

Policy Analysis Capstone (MS-DC)

This class is designed especially for MS-DC students as exposure to policy leaders who have influenced, developed and led U.S. and foreign policy. Through discussions and informal interactions, students learn how theory intersects with policy practice and decisions are made in the real world. The class is currently hosted by Distinguished Service Professor Robert Wilburn and previously taught by Dr. Kiron Skinner. Past speakers include:

• Senator Robert Casey, US Senator for Pennsylvania
• Colby King, Pulitzer Prize winning writer for the Washington Post
• Gwendolyn King, former Commissioner, Social Security Administration
• David McCormick, former Undersecretary for International Affairs, U.S. Department of Treasury
• Ambassador Luis Moreno, President, Inter-American Development Bank and former Colombian Ambassador to the U.S.
• Paul O'Neill, former Secretary of the Treasury and President of Alcoa
• Ambassador Louise Oliver, former Ambassador to UNESCO and permanent UN Representative in Paris
• Tom Ridge, former Homeland Security Secretary and Governor of Pennsylvania
• Dick Thornburgh, former US Attorney General, Undersecretary of the UN for Administration and Governor of Pennsylvania

 

Federal Budget Policy (MS-DC and MS-Pittsburgh)

Taught by Professor George Krumbaar, this class is critical for anyone working in Washington or on public interest issues. Krumbaar has over 18 years of experience on the Hill concentrating on issues related to the budget, tax and appropriations. In addition, he is the founder and Editor Emeritus of USBUDGET.com. Students appreciate the wealth of knowledge and passion that he brings to this topic.

 

Systems Synthesis (MS-DC)

A hallmark of the Heinz College degree, this capstone class provides an opportunity for students to work in teams over the course of their final semester to tackle a real world issue. Read More>>  Past projects in DC focused on:

United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP)

"Assessment of Government Capacity for meeting nutritional needs in the Latin American and Caribbean Region"

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Agency for Healthcare, Research and Quality (AHRQ)

"The Future Role of Prevention in U.S. Healthcare"

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

"Creating a Framework for Incorporating Environmental Justice into the Missions of U.S. Federal Agencies"

 

Energy Policy (MS-Pittsburgh)

Energy is at the heart of some of the most difficult problems we face today as a nation. This course provides an introduction to US energy policy and an understanding of the history of various energy initiatives to see how economics, technology, politics, public opinion and national security influence the development and implementation of US energy policy. This class is taught by Jeff Kupfer, a former senior level government official who played a central role in the of energy policy at the US Department of Energy.

Past guest speakers include:

• David Hill, former General Counsel, US Department of Energy
• Lisa Epifani, former Counsel, Senate Energy Committee and former Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, US Department of Energy
• Robert McNally, former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Energy at the White House

  

Global Health Policy (MS-DC, MS/HCPM-Pittsburgh, MS-Australia)

Led by Distinguished Service Professor Jack Chow, this class introduces students to a highly effective framework used by senior policymakers to develop practical policy recommendations across a changing landscape of issues and problems related to global health policy. This class is a must for those who want to learn how to thoroughly and effectively analyze complex policy issues and generate a set of actionable recommendations to be used by high level policymakers.

 

Convocation (MS-Pittsburgh)

Heinz College Washington DC helps to bring speakers from Washington to participate in the Convocation lectures and interact with students and faculty in Pittsburgh. Some recent guests include:

• Clarence Carter, Director, Department of Human Services, District of Columbia
• Alonzo Fulgham, Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Agency for International Development

 

Learn more about our DC classes >>