Letters of Specialization [1]
A letter of specialization is an academic credential designed to help you explore a particular area of interest and utilizes a specific course list for class selection. Please note that a specialization does not appear on a student's transcript. However, upon graduation you will receive a formal letter from the director of the program which can be cited as a credential on resumes, personal statements, and in letters of recommendation.
Data Analytics for Politics, Policy, and Legal Studies (DAPPLS)
Students who complete the letter will have a strong foundation in the basics of designing social and political research, as well as more extensive training in at least two techniques for collecting and analyzing data. Students will additionally have the opportunity to apply these technical skills in substantive coursework and in a hands-on research setting. Students will be well qualified to serve in positions where they work actively with specialists to design research to answer specific questions and to translate research for practitioners and other non-specialist audiences. Some students may want to combine the letter of specialization with an accelerated master’s program to build greater expertise in data analytic skills that are likely to be highly attractive for positions across the public, nonprofit and private sectors.
Requirements: Complete 12 credits of coursework and 3 credits of research experience. Coursework must consist of five classes from the DAPPLS course list and include one Research Design class, two Technical classes, and one Substantive classes. Each course must carry at least 3 credits and be taken for a letter grade. Students must maintain a cumulative average GPA of 2.0 across the five courses.
To request approval for a class that is not on the course list, please email Dr. Justin Gross [2] (for Political Science) or Dr. Doug Rice [3] (for Legal Studies) with course title and syllabus.If approved, please upload documentation to the declaration form.
Course List: Data Analytics for Politics, Policy, and Legal Studies (DAPPLS) [4]
Declaration Form [5] can be completed when last class is in progress.