Social Policy Graduate Certificate

About the Certificate

The Department of Political Science offers a graduate certificate in Social Policy to students currently admitted to a graduate degree program at Purdue University who wish to add an interdisciplinary policy credential to their degree. The certificate provides foundational knowledge of the context, content, and methods needed for meaningful policy analysis in public policy.

Professionals and researchers working on social challenges often collaborate with policymakers or engage directly with the policy process. Public and private employers may seek scientists and researchers who understand how policy is developed and implemented. This certificate offers students an opportunity to develop a foundational understanding of the policy process as part of their graduate studies.

Eligibility: This certificate is available at the graduate level only and is not offered at the post-baccalaureate level.

Admission Criteria

• Currently enrolled as a graduate student at Purdue University's West Lafayette campus.
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Conditional admission may be possible for applicants who do not meet this requirement.
• International applicants whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency, as explained in the Political Science graduate admission requirements .

Admission Process

1. Complete the online application. Submit the application through the Purdue Graduate School application portal .
2. Pay the application fee. The fee is due when you submit your application. See the application fees section below.
3. Provide your Purdue academic record. Submit a current Purdue transcript, or select "YES" in the application to consent to Purdue University faculty and staff accessing your academic record for university business.
4. Select the certificate program. In the Program Details section, select the following options:
   • Campus: West Lafayette (Main Campus)
   • Graduate Major: Political Science
   • Degree Objective: Public Policy Graduate Certificate
5. Submit Form 18, if applicable. Students enrolled in a graduate program outside the Department of Political Science must submit a completed G.S. Form 18 (Dual Graduate Program Request), signed by the applicant and the head of the applicant's home department. Contact the Graduate Coordinator to obtain the form.

Application Fees

• Domestic students: $60
• International students: $75

Application Deadlines

• August 1: Deadline for fall admission and for qualification for a December certificate.
• December 1: Deadline for spring admission and for qualification for a May certificate.

Applications are processed shortly after the deadlines. Students are encouraged to apply early but may apply before, during, or after completing the certificate course requirements. Students who have already completed all requirements must apply by the applicable certificate deadline to receive their certificate in December or May.

Receiving Your Certificate

Register for CAND 991 during the semester in which you plan to receive your certificate.

Course Requirements

Students must complete four required courses across three areas, totaling 12 credits. Course offerings and requirements are subject to change. Consult the Purdue University Course Catalog for current course information.

1. Required Course in the Policy Process

• POL 62000 – Proseminar in Public Policy and Processes , or an approved substitute.

2. Required Course in Policy Analysis Tools

Choose an eligible course from the following list:

• POL 60500 – Research Design and Methods
• POL 60600 – Advanced Quantitative Techniques in Political Science
• POL 69300 – Interdisciplinary Seminar: Dynamics of Social, Ecological, and Technological Systems
• SOC 58100 – Methods of Social Research II
• SOC 68000 – Advanced Social Research Methods
• STAT 50200 – Experimental Statistics II
• STAT 51200 – Applied Regression Analysis
• STAT 51300 – Statistical Quality Control

3. Two Substantive Courses

Complete two substantive courses from the following list, or take approved substitutes:

• NUR 63200 – Health Policy: Local to Global
• POL 52000 – Special Topics in Public Policy: Race, Class, and Public Policy
• POL 52101 – Applied Public Policy: Institutions, Processes, Practices
• POL 52400 – Public Policy and the Family
• POL 52901 – Applied Policy and Program Evaluation
• POL 54101 – Applied Foundations of Global Development
• POL 62200 – Research Seminar in Public Policy and Public Administration: Comparative Social Policy
• SOC 57200 – Comparative Healthcare Systems
• SOC 57300 – The Human Side of Medicine
• SOC 57400 – The Social Organization of Healthcare

Questions?

Contact the Graduate Coordinator at polgradcoordinator@purdue.edu.