Spring Break
University introduces graduate public policy program
Joshua Kurtz
Issue date: 7/3/09 Section: News
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Richardson Dilworth, associate director of political science and director of Drexel's Center for Public Policy, which oversees the new graduate program, led the presentation.
The graduate program will include approximately ten to 20 students when it debuts during the upcoming 2009-2010 academic year. Some students have already been accepted to the program. The program hopes to increase its size in the future, though such expansion will depend on the availability of students and faculty.
One reason Dilworth believes it is logical to institute the master's program is the increased demand for public affairs and government jobs due to the current economy.
Dilworth also said Philadelphia offers opportunities in the field of public policy due to the large size of the city and surrounding area. There are over 270 local governments in the greater Philadelphia region, according to Dilworth.
Philadelphia also offers the advantage of a "vibrant nonprofit sector," Dilworth said.
Richard Pearsall, a graduate of Rowan University, said he attended the information session because he has an interest in public policy and government.
Colleges in the region that currently have similar master's programs include the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers-Camden, Widener University, Villanova University and the University of Delaware, according to Dilworth.
Drexel's master's program will follow the quarter system, with classes in the fall, winter and spring quarters.
The greater amount of classes allowed by the quarter system lets "our master's degree program moves faster than other master's degree programs," Dilworth said.
Core courses in Drexel's public policy program include a series of classes on policy as well as classes on economics, statistics and information systems, among other subjects. Specialized tracks will also be offered to compliment the core classes. Potential tracks include environmental policy, science and technology policy, urban systems management and education policy. The courses will be taught by full-time Drexel professors as well as adjunct professors with industry experience.
Drexel is also looking at adding a stronger co-op component to the program.
"We do not have any specific co-op offerings" for the 2009-2010 academic year, Dilworth said. "Our plan is to have some offerings like that for the 2010 academic year."
There are no major differences between a Master of Science in Public Policy and a Master of Public Policy, as some schools offer, according to Dilworth.
Drexel's new public policy graduate program is not yet accredited.
The information session also featured an overview of Drexel and the admissions process. Shannon Groves, associate director, recruitment, led the background and admissions portion of the presentation.
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