Where Data, AI and Policy Design Meet
Master of Science in Policy Analytics (Online)
credits
Courses
Months
Why study policy analytics at Syracuse University's Maxwell School?
- Learn from Maxwell’s public affairs faculty. Study with faculty who also teach in Maxwell’s residential graduate programs, at the school ranked #1 for public affairs by U.S. News & World Report in 2026.
- Apply data, AI and behavioral science to policy. Develop analytical and technical skills alongside an understanding of policy design, ethical decision-making and public accountability.
- Earn your degree while continuing to work. Complete the program entirely online through part-time study, combining independent coursework with scheduled live classes. Taking two courses per term allows you to finish in as few as 20 months.
- Build a portfolio that demonstrates your skills. Through coursework and a capstone experience, translate complex analytical findings into information that policymakers and communities can use.
- Explore scholarship support. Admitted students are considered for merit-based scholarships that can help reduce tuition costs by as much as 30%.
Curriculum for the Online MS in Policy Analytics
We train leaders who use data, technology and behavioral insights to design policies that improve lives, strengthen communities and promote social welfare.
Students master concepts and skills in:
- Data management and visualization
- Quantitative methods and data analytics
- Behavioral science and decision-making
- AI applications in policy design and policy processes
- Program evaluation for data-driven decision-making
- Ethics of data science and AI
- Advanced policy analysis
Our program combines technical rigor with policy context and ethical considerations.
Students learn to use:
- Data analysis and visualization: Stata, R, RStudio, Python, Python’s Pandas module, and ggplot2
- Reproducible reporting and version control: Quarto and GitHub
- Generative AI applications: Tools such as Claude, Copilot and Gemini
- Communication and collaboration: Slack
Our STEM-designated program combines rigorous quantitative study with practical technical skills for analyzing data and informing decisions across government, nonprofit and private-sector organizations.
Online Student Experience
Study entirely online while staying connected to Maxwell faculty and fellow students. Complete recorded lessons, readings and assignments between scheduled live discussions, which typically meet on weekday evenings from 7–8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Choose your course load with guidance from your academic advisor. Taking two courses per term allows you to complete the degree in as few as 20 months. Plan for up to seven hours of work per week for each course, including independent coursework and the live session.
You’ll also have access to one-on-one advising, career development resources and Maxwell’s alumni community of more than 40,000 public service professionals.
See the Curriculum page for more details about the course format and calendar.
Career Opportunities
Prepare to use data and analytical methods to improve public policy and organizational decisions. Maxwell’s online M.S. in policy analytics develops skills in data analysis, program evaluation, behavioral science, AI applications and ethical decision-making.
These skills are relevant to roles such as:
- Policy analyst
- Research analyst
- Data analyst
- Program analyst or evaluator
- Management analyst
- Policy or public affairs consultant
Potential workplaces include government agencies, legislative offices, think tanks, consulting firms, nonprofits, advocacy organizations and mission-driven companies.
Demand for analytical skills extends across several related occupations. National employment for data scientists is projected to grow 36% by 2033, with more than 20,000 job openings annually. (Source: BLS) These projections describe the broader data-science occupation rather than employment outcomes for MSPA graduates.
A separate labor-market analysis identified 6,388 job postings nationwide in 2025 for policy, behavioral and data-science-related occupations. Among the top employers identified in that analysis, 75% were public-sector organizations, including city and state governments.
Through coursework and a capstone experience, you’ll develop a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to interpret analytical findings and communicate their implications to policymakers and the public. Career development resources can help you connect your learning with your professional goals.
Admission
Discover Maxwell’s online M.S. in policy analytics program designed for early-career and working professionals in government, nonprofit, and mission-driven roles.
Admission Requirements
Applicants interested in the online M.S. in policy analytics program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or university. The program is a good match for recent graduates with backgrounds in social sciences, public policy, economics or data analytics, as well as candidates from other fields who are interested in pivoting to policy analytics.
Admission Deadlines
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Students can begin taking classes in spring, summer and fall.
The Maxwell School encourages all applicants to submit their application as soon as possible to join the next cohort.