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Master of Public Policy and Data Analytics

Become an expert analyst with a human-centered approach. The online Master of Public Policy and Data Analytics prepares professionals to influence ethical, evidence-based policy that drives meaningful impact.

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At a Glance

8 days left to apply
Average 2 Years to Completion
Start date: May 11, 2026
Expert Faculty Mentorship
  • Format: Online
  • Tuition: $38,940
  • Term: Summer 2026
  • 10 Courses

Why Choose a Master of Public Policy and Data Analytics from Wake Forest

At Wake Forest SPS, data meets purpose. The program equips you to turn data into decisions that improve lives.

You’ll learn to analyze complex information through a human-centered lens, communicate insights that inspire action, and apply ethical frameworks that protect public trust.

Offered fully online, the 10-course program blends data science, policy analysis, and leadership development. Graduates walk away prepared to make an impact in government, nonprofits, and beyond.

Master of Public Policy and Data Analytics Core Courses

You’ll complete 9 required online courses, including a capstone that brings everything together. Each course lasts 7.5 weeks. You must take Quantitative Analysis I before Quantitative Analysis II. Other than that, there is no prescribed order of courses.

Quantitative Analysis I:  Foundations of Data Analytics for Public Policy
Course ID: PPD 710
Explore the key elements of data analytics, including data preparation, analysis, visualization, and presentation. This course will also cover basic knowledge of public policy. Students will learn to identify where data and analytics can be used to help create informative and compelling analyses that provide valuable evidence in public policy debates.
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Quantitative Analysis II: Statistics for Public Policy
Course ID: PPD 712
Develop the statistical tools you will encounter in the public sector. This course focuses on an introduction to probability, statistical inference, and linear regression. Students will critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of different statistical methods and their application to specific public policy problems. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing data using Excel, which is widely used across both the public and private sectors.
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Data Analytics and Public Administration
Course ID: PAD 730
Develop the skills to effectively analyze and explain complex data to stakeholders in clear, understandable language. The course will focus on analyzing and interpreting data to tell a clear and compelling “story,” manage the projects and programs, and implement policy. Learners will also be exposed to new tech-enabled methods of collecting and understanding data they relate to policy administration.
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Research Methods for Public Administration
Course ID: PAD 714
Develop the tools to effectively collect, analyze, and interpret data research results. This course explores topics such as qualitative and quantitative research methods, experimental and non-experimental research, and secondary data analysis. A focus will be placed on learning how to evaluate and construct sustainable, environmentally aware, and equitable outcomes in research methods.
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Public Policy Design
Course ID: PPD 720
Dive into the core principles of policy-making. This course emphasizes evidence-based strategies informed by robust data analytics and grounded in public law. Students will discuss ethics in the public sector, focusing on legal frameworks and ethical considerations that guide decision-making processes.
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Public Policy Implementation and Management
Course ID: PPD 722
Gain a deeper understanding of the practical challenges and opportunities involved in implementing and managing public policies. Students will learn how to translate policy goals into effective programs, analyze implementation processes, evaluate program performance, and adapt policies based on data-driven insights. An emphasis on the use of data analytics to inform decision-making throughout the policy lifecycle, from design and implementation to evaluation and revision is balanced by a focus on ethical considerations, data privacy, and community engagement.
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Data Visualization & Storytelling for Public Policy
Course ID: PPD 714
Explore the key fundamental principles of — and gain practical experience in — presenting data in a visual form for communication and analysis in public policy. Students will learn to become trusted advisers to decision-makers with refined abilities to inform and persuade with data.
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Data Ethics, Privacy, and Governance
Course ID: PPD 730
Develop an understanding of how data can be used to shed light on various policy issues. Students will examine ethical and legal considerations in data usage, privacy, and governance.
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Capstone: Interdisciplinary Public Policy and Data Analytics Project
Course ID: PPD 799
Demonstrate applied data science and public policy knowledge and skills gained through the program to a real-world challenge. The capstone project will vary depending on student interest and goals. Students will work with practicing professionals or industry partners in a relevant field to define and develop their capstone project.
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Master of Public Policy and Data Analytics Electives

You will choose 1 elective to take at any time during the program when your selection is available. Wake Forest SPS designs electives with flexibility and relevance in mind. You’ll have access to a wide range of courses across all programs, so you can tailor your learning and deepen your expertise to meet your goals.

Python Programming Essentials
Course ID: PPD 750
Gain hands-on experience with fundamental programming concepts like variables, loops, functions, and conditional statements, effectively utilize Python libraries for data analysis, visualization, and automation tasks, and develop computational thinking skills to approach complex problems in a structured manner.
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Applications of Machine Learning Techniques
Course ID: AIN 720
Gain deeper understanding of machine learning techniques, including supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning. This course will cover key algorithms—such as linear regression, decision trees, support vector machines, k-means clustering, and neural networks—and emphasize practical applications. It will help students become proficient in selecting and applying appropriate machine learning techniques to solve complex problems.
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Strategic Communications
Course ID: CMS 722
Internal and external stakeholders expect greater transparency and responsiveness from organizational leaders today. This course emphasizes the practice of internal and external strategic communications through the analysis of case studies. This course examines real organizational challenges and students work to identify solutions.
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Equity and Public Policy
Course ID: PAD 732
Gain a deeper understanding of how equity and public policy intersect. This course uses a multidisciplinary approach to explore the ways public policy can impact social inequalities and promote a more equitable society, including examining real-world examples to illustrate the implementation and effectiveness of equity-focused policies.
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Financial Management and Budgeting
Course ID: PAD 712
Gain an understanding of financial management and budgeting in the public administration sector. This course examines areas of financial management including financial statements and reporting, cost analysis, financial forecast, cash flow management, and financial risk management from a leadership perspective.
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Public Administration Principles
Course ID: PAD 710
Examine management principles and practices for public institutions, including how public organizations operate, public personnel management, and budgeting and finance. This course will explore different methods that identify and assess available interventions to further stakeholder well-being in a cross-cultural context. It will help learners develop effective leadership and public engagement strategies.
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Project Management Essentials
Course ID: PMP 710
Gain a deeper understanding of the foundational concepts of project management, including an overview of the project lifecycle as defined in the Project Management Body of Knowledge. This course also dives into areas such as risk, scope, schedule, quality, monitoring, and communication.
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Sustainability and Environmental Systems
Course ID: PAD 751
Develop the skills and insights to effectively lead institutions as they respond to the impact of human activities on natural and environmental systems. This course examines the conflicting objectives that are often part of public administration by exploring environmental justice and the administrative forces that place environmental burdens on some groups and not others. Learners will gain knowledge in the available analytical tools and policies to support environment-focused policymaking.
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Decision Making and Conflict Management
Course ID: EIL 712
Develop a deeper understanding of ethical decision-making and effective conflict management against a backdrop of major social, economic, and cultural transitions. In this course, learners will gain the knowledge and skills for navigating complex organizational landscapes.
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Leadership & Change Management
Course ID: LDR 722
Explore the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to successfully undertake change. This course delves into the leadership principles, styles, frameworks, and skills required to guide, motivate, and direct teams. Learners will develop the ability to prepare, support, and assist individuals, teams, and organizations in organizational change.
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Data Management
Course ID: FTA 712
Develop a foundational understanding of databases, data management, and data mining. This course examines the importance of database development and data warehousing in business intelligence. Learners will explore the latest methods of transforming large amounts of data and how to interpret database structures for searches and reporting.
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The people who develop & continually refine programs bring expertise from…
Wake Forest SPS understands that I’m a working individual and created this program for people like me to not only learn what I need to receive a degree but also apply it to what I’m doing now.
— Ellie Matthews, SPS alum

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Where Your Master of Public Policy and Data Analytics Can Take You

Graduates of the Master of Public Policy and Data Analytics program will be ready to lead at the intersection of data and policy.  With skills in analysis, communication, and ethical decision-making, you’ll be equipped for roles in government agencies, research institutes, nonprofits, and consulting firms.

Data-driven policy expertise is in high demand: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 36% job growth for data scientists from 2023 to 2033, and the average salary for public policy analysts in the U.S. exceeds $98,000. Whether you’re advancing within your current organization or stepping into a new arena, this degree opens the door to a career where your work truly makes a difference.

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