MSSP + Data Analytics for Social Policy Certificate (MSSP+DA) Program
Use data science to actively impact equity, equality, and social good.
The MSSP Program + Data Analytics for Social Policy Certificate (MSSP+DA) is a STEM-designated program that empowers you to leverage social policy and data analytics to address economic, educational, and health inequities. Throughout the program, the data analytic material is taught in relationship with the various theories, approaches, and domains of social policy analysis. You’ll learn to use data to help solve disparities of race/ethnicity, gender, and class across systems such as immigration, child welfare, and education.
For students interested in pursuing the MSSP program without the data analytics certificate, please see our Master of Science in Social Policy degree.
The MSSP+DA degree is offered on a full-time basis only. MSSP+DA students are also not eligible to pursue dual degrees.
Curriculum
The MSSP+DA curriculum provides students with core policy courses and training and skills in the conceptual foundations of data analytics, programming of data structures, applications of machine learning and predictive analytics, spatial analytics, and the data processing techniques for web scraping and data visualization for a broader public audience. Students will learn programming languages such as SAS, R, Java, Python, GIS, and ArcGIS for the processing, cleaning, and analyzing of digital data for social policy.
Course Grid
The course grid reflects the required 12 course unit course of study for MSSP+DA students to ensure on-time graduation. Any alteration from the plan of study requires approval from an academic advisor.
1st Semester (Fall)
- MSSP 6280: Policy: Analysis of Issues, Strategy and Process (1 CU)
- MSSP 7100: Democratizing Data (1 CU)
- MSSP 6070: Practical Data Science (1 CU)
- MSSP 8970: Applied Linear Modeling (1 CU)
4 CU
2nd Semester (Spring)
- MSSP 6310: Law and Social Policy or MSSP 7805: Law and Social Policy: Foundations (1 CU)
- MSSP/SWRK 7300: Community Mapping (1 CU)
- MSSP 6080: Practical Machine Learning (1 CU)
- Elective (1 CU)
4 CU
3rd Semester (Fall)
- MSSP 6380: MSSP+DA Capstone Seminar: Telling Stories with Data (1CU)
- MSSP 6390: MSSP+DA Policy Practicum in Data Analytics Seminar (0CU)
- MSSP 6680: Economics for Social Policy (1CU)
- MSSP 6290: Research & Evaluation Design (1CU)
- Elective (1CU)
4 CU
Electives
You may choose two elective courses to maximize breadth in multiple substantive policy areas or to specialize your degree in an area of social policy analysis and conduct further research.
Elective courses may be taken either at the School of Social Policy or at any of the 12 graduate schools at Penn. For more information on selecting elective courses, please visit the MSSP Resources page.
Social Policy Practicum
The MSSP+DA program provides students with competitive and cutting-edge opportunities to complete policy practicum in data analytics that emphasize competency development in both policy analysis and data analytics. These parallel competencies position graduates to work in the fast growing and developing world of data analytics for social policy. Credit for practicum is incorporated into the MSSP+DA Capstone Seminar, and students most often complete the practicum in their final spring semester. The Data Analytics policy practicum must consist of a minimum commitment of 150 hours.
Featured Alumni
Naimat Chopra, MSSP+DA ’22
“My decision to attend SP2 was driven by my passion to specialize in the intersection of data analysis, policy, and development studies. The ENERGIA fellowship I pursued at the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy significantly deepened my understanding of gender, energy, and climate policies. With the skills acquired at SP2, I successfully transitioned to roles at UN Energy and the Asian Development Bank. Currently, I am working as an independent energy and climate specialist. The professors and administrative staff at SP2 have played a crucial role in fostering my academic and professional growth. They have been deeply invested in my career achievements and continue to provide invaluable support and guidance. Choosing SP2 was one of the most pivotal decisions of my life, and marks a transformative milestone in my professional journey.”
