Governance and Policy for AI and Data Technology

This certificate provides applied training in the institutions and processes related to policymaking and governance of artificial intelligence (AI), data, and data technology, in public and private sectors. Students become equipped to understand policies and processes in U.S. and non-U.S. settings, how and why policies are proposed and passed, and how they are implemented and monitored for complianced. Students will learn how to conduct impact assessments and develop compliance audit plans.

Courses will be held online and hybrid.

12 Credits Required

Required Courses (9 credits)

POL 52101 - Applied Public Policy: Institutions, Processes, Practices Credits: 3.00
POL 52601 - Technology, AI, And Ethics In Public Policy And Public Administration Credits: 3.00
POL 52701 - Local To Global Governance Of Data, AI, And Emerging Technology Credits: 3.00

Selective (3 credits)

Choose one.

GRAD 50600 - Big Data Tools And Technologies Credits: 3.00
GRAD 50700 - Cross Domain Data Communication And Visualization Credits: 3.00
POL 50100 - Political Science: Methodology Credits: 3.00
POL 50601 - Data, Machine Learning, And Artificial Intelligence For The Public Sector Credits: 3.00
POL 52000 - Special Topics In Public Policy Credits: 3.00 (when the course title/topic relates to Artificial Intelligence, Applications of Data Science, Emerging Technology, etc.)
POL 52901 - Applied Policy And Program Evaluation Credits: 3.00
SCLA 51000 - Data And AI Storytelling Credits: 3.00
SCLA 52100 - Societal Impacts Of Artificial Intelligence Credits: 3.00
SCLA 52200 - Artificial Intelligence Policy, Governance, And Ethics Credits: 3.00

Students will:

Describe the policy ecosystem around new technology, data, and AI policy, including how and why policies are proposed, passed, implemented, evaluated, and changed.

Analyze trends in current policies, definitions of policy problems, and proposed policy solutions, including an assessment of policy needs, stakeholder goals, and public attitudes towards policy problems and proposed solutions for new technology, data, and AI.

Assess and evaluate legal and ethical considerations in AI, data, and other new technologies, and consider roles of different entities in mitigating risks.

Construct professional-level work products such as policy trends reports, compliance audit plans, impact analyses, policy design, or program evaluations related to the use of AI, data, or other emerging technology in public and private settings.

How to apply

Create an application (instructions on how to apply)
Complete/update the background section
Select the Purdue West Lafayette (PWL) campus
Your Selected Graduate Major: Political Science
Your degree objective “Governance and Policy for AI and Data Technology”
Select the term you’d like to enroll
Select “Online” as the primary course delivery method
In the “additional information” section, check “I am a Current or Past Purdue Student”
Applicants must provide a current Purdue transcript OR indicate “YES” on the application where it says “I consent and authorize Purdue University faculty and/or staff to access my Purdue University academic record for university business.”
Fill out the application form and submit it with your application as the “statement of purpose”
Sign and submit!
Students from outside of Political Science must also provide a completed G.S. Form 18, Dual Graduate Program Request, signed by the applicant and the Head of the applicant’s home department.

Apply for enrollment

Application fee

$60 for domestic students

$75 for international students

Deadlines for submission

All application materials must be received by: August 1 (for Fall admission) and December 1 (for Spring admission). We will process applications shortly after these deadlines.

While we encourage students to apply early, you may apply at any time prior to, during, or after completion of the requirements listed below. If a student has already completed all of the requirements and wishes to obtain a December certificate they must apply no later than August 1; the deadline is December 1 to qualify for a May certificate.