A Data Analytics Degree: Evidence-Based Solutions for the World's Problems

Heinz College’s analytics coursework is unrivaled among policy schools, and the Data Analytics track of our Master of Science in Public Policy and Management is our most quantitatively rigorous public policy program.

As the modern world generates massive amounts of data, large organizations, government agencies, think tanks, and consulting firms all seek the brightest minds with next-generation data skills.

You can step up and take on such challenges.

The Data Analytics track of our Master of Science in Public Policy and Management program will train you to harness the power of data and analytic technologies to transform organizations that serve the public good. Our graduates have a unique skill set in the policy field and are highly sought by employers, including the top firms and agencies in our partner network.

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Duration: 2 years / 4 semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer Internship, Fall, Spring)

Admissions Requirements

Data Science for Social Good & Public Interest Technology

Heinz College is a global leader in applying data science to public policy and using technology for public good. Among policy schools, we have the deepest bench of data scientists and analytics experts to help you convert data into human-centered solutions. Under the direction of our faculty experts, our data analytics students tackle complex problems such as:

Predicting resource shortages at senior care facilities during COVID-19
Promoting fairness and reducing bias in criminal sentencing
Combatting the opioid crisis by helping social workers identify abuse
Improving transparency and data-sharing across public service agencies
Mapping public utilities using data and technology
Reducing waste and fraud in the Medicare system
Using text analytics and machine learning to fight poaching and illicit trade
Testing feasibility of large-scale projects in renewable energy, like solar farms and biogas
Preventing homelessness with predictive analytics

Game-Changing Research

Students in our Data Analytics degree track gain skills and techniques that open new possibilities for public policy research and social impact. Heinz College and CMU provide many opportunities to apply those skills to innovative projects directed by our faculty and sponsored by our renowned research centers. This experiential learning takes place at the intersection of policy and technology, allowing students to bring the full weight of data analytics to bear on the public policy issues of today and tomorrow.

My Story: Curt

Curt Williams chose the Data Analytics track to augment his statistics background, as well as add Python and R to his repertoire.

PUBLIC POLICY AND MANAGEMENT: DATA ANALYTICS CURRICULUM

Public Policy and Management Core
- Intermediate Statistics* (90-777)
- Applied Economic Analysis (90-710) or Intermediate Economic Analysis (90-709)
- Management Science (90-722)
- Policy and Politics: American Political Institutions (90-714) or International Perspective (90-713)
- Accounting and Finance Analytics* (95-719)
- Organizational Design and Implementation* (94-700)
- Writing for Public Policy* (90-717)
- Strategic Presentation Skills* (90-718)
- Intermediate Programming with Python* (90-819)
- Exploratory Data Analysis and Visualization in Python* (90-800)
- Database Management for Policy Analytics (90-838)
- Policy & Politics: An International Perspective (90-713)
- Optimization (90-722)
- Decision and Risk Modeling (90-760)
- Applied Econometrics I (94-834)
- Applied Econometrics II (94-835)
- Machine Learning Foundations with Python (90-803)
- Decision Analytics for Business and Policy (94-867)
- Financial Statements and Analysis* (90-723)
- Data Analytics Capstone Project
PLUS
- Required Summer Internship
*Half-semester courses
For class, syllabi, and course information, please visit the Heinz College course catalog.
Sample Electives*
- Telling Stories with Data (94-870)
- Systems Analysis: Environmental Policy (90-798)
- Resilient and Sustainable Communities (90-789)
- Technology, Humanity and Social Justice - Education (94-783)
- Poverty, Inequality and Social Policies: An International Comparison (90-471)
- International Crisis Negotiation Exercise (94-859)
- Behavioral Economics (90-880)
- Program Evaluation (90-823)
- Policy in a Global Economy (90-860)
- Elective Politics and Policy-Making (90-754)
- Health Economics (94-705)
- Organizational Change (91-809)
- Evidence-Based Management (94-814)
- Negotiation (94-800)
- Privacy in the Digital Age (94-806)
- Policies of Wireless Systems (95-824)
- Measuring Social (94-823)
- SAS for Public Policy (94-827)
- Public Finance (90-736)
- Managing Analytic Projects (94-881)
- Privacy Policy, Technology and the Law (95-818)
- Cybersecurity Policy and Governance (95-744 and 95-743)
*Elective availability may differ by pathway/location; students may also enroll in graduate-level courses from other Heinz College programs as well as other departments across Carnegie Mellon University’s campus, with approval.
For class, syllabi, and faculty information, please visit the Heinz College course catalog.

For detailed curriculum information, please visit the MSPPM: Data Analytics Student Handbook.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

Below is one possible schedule for the Data Analytics track. Class titles in bold are core courses. Heinz College offers a mix of full-semester (14 weeks) and half-semester courses (7 weeks) for core and elective courses.

YEAR 1 - FALL SEMESTER

Applied Economic Analysis
Intermediate Statistics*
Database Management for Policy Analytics
Python Programming II* OR Data Focused Python*
Exploratory Data Analytics and Visualization in Python*

YEAR 1 - SPRING SEMESTER

Optimization*
Decision and Risk Modeling*
Machine Learning Foundations with Python
Applied Econometrics I* and II*

--REQUIRED SUMMER INTERNSHIP--

YEAR 2 - FALL SEMESTER

Decision Analytics for Business and Policy
Organizational Design and Implementation*
Strategic Presentation Skills*
Accounting and Finance Analytics*
Machine Learning for Public Policy Lab
Data Science and Big Data*

YEAR 2 - SPRING SEMESTER

Data Analytics Capstone Project
Practical Unstructured Data Analytics*
Big Data and Large-Scale Computing*
Smart Cities: Growth and Intelligent Transportation Systems*
Critical AI Studies for Public Policy*
Geographic Information Systems

*Half-semester courses

public policy and management: Data Analytics Careers

*Career data shown below reflects the last three years.

data analytics jobs and salary reports

Job titles and salary information for the Public Policy and Management: Data Analytics degree program.

Data Analytics Job Reports

Public Policy Tracks

Compare all four public policy options at a glance

The program is offered in four distinct tracks—Flagship, Data Analytics, Washington, D.C., and Fast Track (Three-Semester). Compare all four and choose the track that best suits your mission.

Compare

What's Next?

Get all the details about applying to our public policy and management program, including:

Application deadlines
Scheduling a visit
Attending an online info session
Connecting with a current student

Ready to apply? Check out our graduate application checklist now!

#1 in Analytics Education