Enrich your understanding of how public policy is created and implemented with a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Planning and Public Policy.

Designed for emerging leaders in law enforcement, corrections, and probation and parole, you will study how to develop effective strategic plans that can further your organization’s mission and vision and adhere to federal, state, and local policies.

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Completion Requirements

  • 16 total quarter credits

You may complete this graduate certificate in as little as 6 months and earn credits to immediately apply toward Walden’s Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) or Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.

Courses

  • Foundations for Graduate Study

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    Students in this course are introduced to Walden University and to the requirements for successful participation in an online curriculum. Students work toward building a foundation for academic and professional success as scholar-practitioners and social change agents. They assess the relationship of mission and vision to professional goals and develop a program of study, a Professional Development Plan, and strategies for online success. Students also explore resources used throughout the program, such as the online Walden University Library. Students engage in course assignments focused on the practical application of professional writing, critical-thinking skills, and the promotion of professional and academic excellence and integrity.

  • Public Policy and Evaluation

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    This course provides an introduction to the tools used by policy-makers and policy analysts to evaluate the impact of social programs. Topics include selecting programs to evaluate; crafting program descriptions; identifying stakeholders and their interests; developing logic models; framing evaluation questions; applying utilization-focused evaluation techniques; using quantitative and qualitative tools to complete formative and summative evaluations; and formulating evaluation reports and providing feedback to decision-makers. By the end of the course, each student develops a program evaluation design for a social program.

  • Public Policy Analysis

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    Contemporary public administrators work in a dynamic, partisan environment with unprecedented access to public policy data—conditions leading to extraordinary opportunities and, often times, severe constraints. Students in this course thoroughly examine key stakeholders involved in the public policy process and devote special attention to their function, impact, and constraint on policy development. In addition, students explore professional ethics related to the role of the policy analyst and consider the significant social outcomes of public policy. They examine the theories and strategies used by policy makers and policy analysts to develop, implement, execute, evaluate, and promulgate public policy. They also assess the impact and consequences of public policy and evaluate it though a social justice framework. Using critical-thinking and communication skills, students craft a policy memorandum regarding a current public policy problem, for which they consider and evaluate competing policy alternatives.

  • Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination

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    In an increasingly complex world, leaders and managers in public and nonprofit organizations plan strategies to fulfill the organizational mission and enhance stakeholder satisfaction. Students in this course explore the role and process of strategic planning, including collaboration, cooperation, and coordination. They also examine the benefits, challenges, and pitfalls of strategic planning, in addition to the impact of globalization. Students apply these concepts to real-life scenarios and develop a strategic plan for a nonprofit or public organization.

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2012-2013

Curriculum Component Requirements Cost
Courses 12 total quater credit hours $445 per quarter credit hour
Technology Fee per quarter $110

2013-2014 (Effective May 6, 2013)

Curriculum Component Requirements Cost
Courses 12 total quater credit hours $445 per quarter credit hour
Technology Fee per quarter $110

Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Call 1-866-492-5336 for information about a full range of options for:

Walden is committed to providing the information you need to make an informed decision about where you pursue your education. Please find below detailed information for the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Planning and Public Policy relating to the types of occupations this certificate program may lead to, completion rate, program costs, and median loan debt of students who have graduated from this program.

Occupations
Program Completion Rate
Program Costs
Median Loan Debt

Occupations—This program generally prepares students to enter the types of occupations listed below. For more information on these specific occupations, visit www.onetonline.org.

In addition to this list, there are other career options that graduates of this program may choose to pursue. To enter certain professions, students may need to satisfy specific additional requirements established by state and/or professional organizations in addition to completing their program.

View examples of our student and alumni accomplishments in their chosen fields.

Occupation Name* Occupation Code*
Political Scientists 19-3094
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1065

*The “occupation name” is a general job title. “Occupation code” refers to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Standard Occupation Classification.

Program Completion—This program had fewer than 10 graduates during July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. As a result, Walden does not disclose this information in order to protect students’ privacy per U.S. Department of Education guidelines.

Program Costs—The total program costs are the estimated average costs over the duration of the program, excluding any scholarship or tuition reductions, for students completing the program on time. These costs can vary based on the number of credits. Typically, tuition and fees are subject to change annually.

Expense Cost
Tuition and Fees $7,560
Books and Supplies $742
Room and Board Not applicable

View cost per credit in the Tuition and Fees section.

Median Loan Debt—This program had fewer than 10 graduates during July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. As a result, Walden does not disclose this information in order to protect students’ privacy per U.S. Department of Education guidelines.

For assistance in deciding which online certificate program fits your goals, request information or speak with an enrollment advisor by calling 1-866-492-5336. A list of international toll-free phone numbers is available for students outside the United States.