Political Analytics

Overview

While analytics and data-driven decision-making are playing an ever-larger role in modern politics, very few academic programs prepare individuals to excel at these tasks. To meet that need, the Columbia University School of Professional Studies and the Columbia University Department of Political Science have developed the Master of Science in Political Analytics program to train a new generation of professional political analysts, consultants, and managers who are uniquely equipped in the substance of politics and quantitative methods to understand and communicate effectively with other professionals and laypeople about political behavior and dynamics. The program provides quantitative skills in an explicitly political context, facilitating crosswalk with nontechnical professionals and decision-makers.

Students undertake a rigorous suite of tailored political science and applied quantitative analytics courses to develop the skills they need to model and analyze political behavior, which in turn prepares them to develop insights and strategies to understand, explain, and influence political action. The program is designed to fill an important role in the rapidly developing field of data analytics as it is applied to politics and public policy, allowing students who are interested in new approaches to data analytics—such as machine learning—to integrate those interests with a politics or policy focus. Furthermore, it will provide a clearer professional trajectory, by helping students acquire necessary skills and suitable employment after graduation.

Combining a scholar-practitioner model and a core academic curriculum, students build their understanding of theory and research along with hands-on application in a professional setting. Drawing from a wealth of graduate-level courses in the Department of Political Science, the School of Professional Studies, the School of International and Public Affairs, and the Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences program, Columbia provides a foundation for both core and elective courses. The program leverages the University’s academic strengths in the quantitative social sciences, such as in public policy, mathematical modeling, and applied analytics—and also engages with broader disciplines, such as political science and statistics—to create academic offerings that meet the needs of learners who aspire to build careers in the political analytics space. The program also offers students the unique geographical advantage of being located in New York City, a global capital for politics, business, media, and advertising.

The program is strictly nonpartisan and is open to applicants from any political or professional background. The degree will be offered full-time, with a part-time option for working professionals. The full-time option enables completion of study within one year, and full-time students are expected to complete the degree in three semesters. Part-time students are expected to complete the degree requirements in six semesters. The program’s structure follows thirty-six credits, which include a set of core courses, selective courses, and a capstone, that all build toward a comprehensive understanding of the foundational, theoretical, analytical, and applied skills needed for professional data-oriented careers in politics. Post-graduation career pathways may include—but are not limited to—campaign management, consulting, lobbying, public and governmental affairs, policy analysis, political fundraising, and media.