Program Overview

Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Policy and Practice

Overview

The graduate certificate in regulatory policy and practice explores the multi-layered world of regulatory policy, practice, and theory. Through comprehensive coursework, students:

• Examine the approaches by which regulatory agencies develop and implement policy, including rulemaking, adjudication, and enforcement.
• Explore the political landscape in which regulations are developed and implemented in different regulatory contexts.
• Study the mechanisms by which advocates and stakeholders sway the regulatory process.
• Develop the analytical tools necessary for identifying and measuring the likely effects of alternative regulatory approaches.
• Investigate the justifications—legal, economic, social, environmental, and other—for regulatory intervention in particular policy contexts.

This certificate is ideally suited for those interested in formulating regulatory policy as policy analysts in the executive and legislative branches at any level of government or influencing regulatory matters in the nonprofit or private sectors. Some students in the program seek to expand their knowledge without wishing to commit to a master’s degree program. Others can use it as a springboard for other degree programs, especially the master of public administration (MPA) and master of public policy (MPP).

Admissions

Admission requirements include:

• Admission Deadlines: Fall - July 1; Spring - November 1
• Standardized Test Scores: The GRE is not required; however, if you think that submitting scores for the GRE will strengthen your application, you are welcome to submit them.
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction.
  • Minimum scores for the program are:
    • Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual score below 6.0
    • TOEFL: 600 on paper-based or 100 on Internet-based
    • or PTE Academic: 68
• Recommendations Required: One (1) recommendation
• Prior Academic Records: Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission. If transcripts are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided.
• Statement of Purpose: In an essay of 250-500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in your chosen field. Include your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application.
• Additional Requirements: None

Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 12 credits, including 9 credits in required courses and one 3-credit elective course.

• Required Courses:
  • PPPA 6056: Regulatory Comment Clinic
  • PPPA 6075: Law and the Public Administrator
  • And one course selected from the following:
    • PPPA 6003: Economics for Public Decision Making
    • or PPPA 6014: Microeconomics for Public Policy II
    • or PPPA 6015: Benefit-Cost Analysis
• Electives:
  • One course selected from the list below. Other courses can be approved at the discretion of the advisor.
  • PPPA 6015: Benefit-Cost Analysis (if not taken as a required course)
  • PPPA 6061: Banking and Financial Institutions Policy
  • PPPA 6066: U.S. Environmental Policy
  • PPPA 6069: Science and U.S. Public Policy
  • PPPA 6072: Legislative Management and Congress