The policy informatics certificate program provides knowledge and skills to students seeking careers in which they can use informatics tools, models and simulations to help individuals and groups deliberate and evaluate policy decisions as well as explore new governance infrastructures. Emphasis is placed on theories and research concerning decision-making, complexity theory and visualization of quantitative and qualitative information, collective intelligence, behavioral economics and persuasive technologies.

Policy informatics helps to advance evidence-driven policy design, wherein scientific models and analyses drive decision-making for resolution of complex policy challenges, dilemmas and problems. This is both an emerging field of research and a community of practice focusing on advancing decision-making in the public sector through information-centric analysis of evidence that leverages computational and technological advances. Professionals who use policy informatics are involved in designing, managing and evaluating information systems and infrastructures for policy construction, analysis and implementation.

Policy informatics advances the transdisciplinary nature of the public administration discipline by infusing it with the advances of information technology, management of information systems, and computational and informational science perspectives.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared to pursue a career in a field related to public administration or public policy, particularly in the areas of participatory governance and public engagement. This may include opportunities as either a manager or policy analyst in local, state or federal agencies; nonprofit organizations; and private organizations that interface with the public sector.