Students who graduate from our School with a major in Economics will be able to:

  1. Present economic theory and applications in written and oral form.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory.
  3. Apply economic theory to issues in fields of economics.
  4. Explain basic estimators and their properties, estimate economic models using data, test hypotheses, forecast, and interpret estimate.

Students who graduate from our School with a major in Political Science will be able to:

  1. Utilize methods and approaches appropriate for accumulating and interpreting information applicable to the discipline of political science.
  2. Conceptualize problems and apply tools to critically analyze and resolve political arguments, information, and theories.
  3. Communicate effectively and defend in written and oral format normative and empirical argument.

Students who graduate from our School with a major in Sociology will be able to:

  1. Comprehend: be able to recognize and interpret existing sociological knowledge
  2. Conceptualize: be able to construct sociological explanations for social phenomena
  3. Analyze and Compute:  be able to conduct sociological inquiry
  4. Interpret: be able to make sociological sense of relevant data

Through participation in and successful completion of the Master of Public Policy, students will graduate with:

  1. The ability to conduct original policy research that extends the knowledge of both policy and other social science disciplines. 
  2. Substantive knowledge in an area of concentration that allows for immediate immersion in a relevant policy arena. 
  3. Experience in the practice of policy analysis, development, and implementation through an appropriate professional practicum.
  4. A commitment to diversity “because it enhances our education and provides tools to be culturally respectful, professionally competent, and civically responsible” (OSU Mission Statement).
  5. Skills and experience in designing and teaching in both formal and informal venues with students, practitioners, and community members.
  6. High ethical standards in public policy research, teaching, and service.

Through successful completion of the Public Policy Ph.D. program, students will graduate with:

  1. The ability to conduct original policy research that extends the knowledge of both policy and other social science disciplines. This will be demonstrated through mastery and application of critical thinking, and application of standard and innovative policy theory and methods in both coursework and an individual research project.
  2. Substantive knowledge in an area of concentration that allows for immediate immersion in a relevant policy arena.
  3. Skills and experience in teaching and/or public scholarship. This will be demonstrated through university teaching assignments, development and implementation of community outreach/training programs and professional development seminars, and/or presentations at professional conferences.
  4. Knowledge of ethical standards and practices in public policy research, teaching, and service. This will be accomplished through participation and training in research methods courses, professional development seminars, and core courses in public policy and administration.