Urban Analytics and Policy (MA)

M.A. in Urban Analytics & Policy (UAP) Program Educational Goals

The fundamental learning goals of the M.A. UAP program are the development of skills in data science, analytics, analysis, and ethics; critical thinking, concept integration, and rigorous examination of the conditions of society; articulation of the consequences and implications of changes to public policy; and effective communication of findings to the policy world through policy analysis and data visualization.

Learning goals:

Graduates of the MA program in Urban Analytics and Policy will be able to:

• Analyze policy-relevant data through the use of data science and analytics tools including computer programming, statistical analysis, machine learning and AI, geographic information systems, and data visualization;
• Understand, implement, and communicate the algorithmic models of modern data analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence as they are applied to urban policy;
• Evaluate applications of analytics, informatics, and data science to urban policy and administration in the context of data ethics, algorithmic bias, and equity;
• Apply critical thinking to understand the issues of urban society;
• Engage with the communities that comprise urban society;
• Integrate concepts from multiple disciplines in relation to urban society and policy;
• Rigorously examine the conditions of urban society;
• Articulate the consequences and the implications of changes to public policy to policy makers and to the public;
• Effectively communicate the results of their work to communities and to the policy world.