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Curriculum

Please work with the C.A.S. director to select electives that meet your goals.

The Certificate of Advanced Study in Data Analytics for Public Policy is geared toward master’s and Ph.D. students or midcareer professionals looking to gain advanced skills in managing and analyzing large amounts of data, and familiarity with the public policy and governance issues raised by the use of new forms of data.

C.A.S. students complete a required 3-credit course in Data-Driven Decision Making and 12 additional credits of graduate coursework selected from a list of approved courses. At least 9 credit hours of work must be completed in courses with a PAI prefix.

If you are already enrolled in a graduate degree program at Syracuse University, you may complete this certificate concurrently with your degree. Speak with your academic advisor about your goals and your course schedule.

For complete CAS requirements, please visit the Course Catalog.

Core Course: Data-Driven Decision Making

Introduces students to using data for decision-making in the public sector. Covers possibilities and limitations of different data forms; fundamentals of data quality, measurement and management; basics of algorithmic decision-making; and introduction to Python.

Approved Electives

Public Administration


  • Data-Driven Decision Making
  • Public Policy and Program Evaluation
  • Policy and Decision Analysis
  • Public Sector Predictive Analysis

School of Information Studies


  • Natural Language Processing
  • Big Data Analytics
  • Information Visualization
  • Text Mining

Geography and the Environment


  • Geographic Information Systems
  • GIS for Urban Environments
  • Environmental Geostatistics

Admission and Financial Aid

This program is open to students who have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. No GRE test scores or work experience is required for application; however, the GRE is recommended.

Scholarships are available for students who matriculate into this CAS program as a stand-alone student (not concurrent with another program of study). For consideration of financial support, please complete your application for admission by the deadline.

While financial aid in the form of federal education loans are not available for this stand-alone CAS, applicants should inquire within their employers/agencies about funding for professional development.

U.S. Veterans

The CAS program is an approved program of study at Syracuse University, allowing student veterans to access VA benefits toward their study in this field. At Syracuse University, student veterans are assisted with their veteran educational benefits by the Office of Veteran Success, including unlimited participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, allowing Post-9/11 GI Bill students to receive additional funding to cover required tuition and fees.

More information on how to access VA benefits for tuition and fees, as well as assistance with payment deferrals, can be found on the Office of Veterans Affairs website.

Application Deadline: February 1 (priority consideration), then rolling until full or May 1 (whichever comes first)


Stand-alone application materials:

  • $75 application fee
  • Personal statement
  • Resume (preferred) or CV
  • The GRE is optional but recommended for external applicants, not required for graduating Syracuse University seniors participating in the Forever Orange scholarship program
  • Transcripts: Unofficial undergraduate transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required prior to enrollment.
  • Letters of recommendation: three (3) letters of recommendation from a current or previous faculty member and/or professional supervisor
  • English Proficiency Exam (international students only): TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores

Concurrent

If you are already enrolled in a graduate degree program at Syracuse University, you may complete this certificate concurrently with your degree. Speak with your academic advisor about your goals and your course schedule.

Contact

Request information about our Certificates of Advanced Study.

For M.P.A./M.A.I.R. Students

Nell S. Bartkowiak

Nell S. Bartkowiak

Director, E.M.P.A. Online Program, Executive Education Department

215 Eggers Hall
315.443.8941 | nsbartko@syr.edu

 

For E.M.P.A./E.M.I.R. Students

Margaret E. Lane

Margaret E. Lane

Assistant Director, Executive Education Department

215 Eggers Hall
315.443.8708 | melane02@syr.edu