Carsey School to Offer Masters in Public Policy

Policymakers live in a world where policy, politics and communication are all intricately related. The new master’s degree in public policy at the Carsey School of Public Policy in Durham focuses on this intersection to ensure students not only understand policy, but also what most affects it.

“I’ve always thought there was a different way to create a policy school that would be different and unique from other schools,” says Michael Ettlinger, founding director of the Carsey School, part of the University of NH, which will launch the new degree this fall. “All the analytic skills are important, but to be effective, you need to have a good understanding of the other aspects that go into policy making, including politics and communications. You don’t do an analysis of policy problems, present a solution and everyone bows and makes it happen.”

The 14-month program will be the flagship program of the Carsey School, which until 2014 was known as the Carsey Institute of Public Policy. Students are required to complete five core courses, a one-week colloquium in the nation’s capital during the January term, an internship and a capstone project. During the Washington week, students meet with federal government staff, private sector research firms and lobbying organizations to get hands-on experience and knowledge from those making and influencing policies.

In addition to general required courses, the program offers two detailed tracks to choose from: Either a policy analysis track or a communication track. They must complete two electives in the chosen track.

Ettlinger hopes to have 10 students in the first cohort. The program costs are between $21,350 to $27,675 for in-state students depending on whether students receive credit for other classes and whether they choose an accelerated master’s degree track to finish in less time. The school is also developing graduate certificates in specialized areas of public policy.

By Dylan Hand of the Young Reporters Project, a partnership between Business NH Magazine and University of NH in Durham. Associate Editor Erika Cohen contributed to this story.