Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy M.S.HHH Administration
Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-3800; fax: 612-626-0002)
Email:
hhhadmit@umn.edu
Website: http://www.hhh.umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The MS in science, technology, and environmental policy (STEP) provides students with an understanding of the role of science and technology in society, including food and agriculture, the economy, energy and the environment, security, health, and education; the impact of science and technology on the political and economic relationships within and among nations; and the analysis and design of policies for appropriate promotion and regulation of science and technology regionally, nationally, and internationally. The program educates students with natural and social science backgrounds to assume roles in public policy development.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.00.
A four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited US university or foreign equivalent at time of enrollment.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
While no specific experience or academic pathway is required, students with a strong liberal education background and sound quantitative and analytical skills will be best prepared for academic success at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Previous coursework in mathematics, statistics, and economics is recommended. Past applicants needing to strengthen this part of their skill set have found courses in introductory microeconomics, college algebra, and introductory statistics to be helpful preparation.
Applicants applying to the MS-STEP program should have completed a degree or taken advanced level coursework in the natural or engineering sciences prior to the date of their planned enrollment.
Special Application Requirements:
A complete application will include a University of Minnesota application, personal statement, resume or C.V., transcripts, GRE scores, TOEFL scores (if applicable), at least three letters of recommendation, and an optional diversity statement.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL, IELTS).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires
29
major credits,
0
credits outside the major,
and
10
thesis credits.
The final exam is oral.
Plan C: Plan C requires
36
major credits and
up to
credits outside the
major.
There is no final exam.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses towards program requirements is not permitted.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 1 semesters must be completed
before filing a Degree Program Form.
Foundational Methods
Statistics Course (4 credits)
Select one of the following courses in consultation with the advisor:
PA 5031 - Statistics for Public Affairs
(4.0 cr)
or
PA 5045 - Statistics for Public Affairs, Accelerated
(4.0 cr)
Methods Courses (6 credits)
Select at least one of the following courses in consultation with the advisor. PA 5041 can be taken with PA 5032 or PA 5041 with advisor approval.
PA 5032 - Applied Regression
(2.0 cr)
PA 5044 - Applied Regression, Accelerated
(2.0 cr)
PA 5041 - Qualitative Methods for Policy Analysts
(4.0 cr)
Select credits in consultation with the advisor to complete the 6-credit foundational methods requirement:
PA 5033 - Multivariate Techniques
(2.0 cr)
PA 5043 - Economic and Demographic Data Analysis
(2.0 cr)
PA 5271 - Geographic Information Systems: Applications in Planning and Policy Analysis
(3.0 cr)
PA 5311 - Program Evaluation
(3.0 cr)
PA 5521 - Development Planning and Policy Analysis
(4.0 cr)
PA 5928 - Data Management and Visualization with R
(1.5 cr)
PA 5929 - Data Visualization: Telling Stories with Numbers
(2.0 cr)
Focus Area (3 credits)
Select one of the following courses in consultation with the advisor. PA 5790, if selected, must be for 3 credits and must be one of the following topics: Env Mgmt of Food, Water, and Energy Systems or Urban Agriculture and Food Systems Policy.
PA 5721 - Energy Systems and Policy
(3.0 cr)
PA 5723 - Water Policy
(3.0 cr)
PA 5724 - Climate Change Policy
(3.0 cr)
PA 5731 - Emerging Sciences and Technologies: Policy, Ethics and Law
(3.0 cr)
PA 5751 - Addressing Climate and Energy Challenges at the Local Scale
(3.0 cr)
PA 5790 - Topics in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy
(1.0-3.0 cr)
Electives
Select electives in consultation with the advisor to meet the minimum credit requirement.
Plan Options
Plan A Requirements
Plan A master's students take at least 10 thesis credits.
PA 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's
(1.0-18.0 cr)
-OR-
Plan C Requirements (3 credits)
Plan C master's students select one of the following in consultation with the advisor. PA 8921, if selected, must be for 3 credits.
PA 8081 - Capstone Workshop
(3.0 cr)
PA 8082 - Professional Paper-Writing Seminar
(3.0 cr)
PA 8921 - Master's: Professional Paper (Individual Option)
(1.0-3.0 cr)
Joint- or Dual-degree Coursework:
MS-STEP/JD (Joint Degree Program in Law, Health, and the Life Sciences)
Students may take a total of 24 credits in common
among the academic programs.
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.5 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.5 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | OPT No Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.5 [max 1.5] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.5 [max 1.5] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | PA 5723/WRS 5101 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -18.0 [max 50.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |