Why Political Science and the Department of Public Policy (DPP)?

October 15, 2020

Political Science students are able to seek a wide variety of careers in the public, nonprofit and private sectors with a degree from the Department of Public Policy. Roughly 40% of our grads leave Connecticut each year, relocating to cities including Boston, Minneapolis, New York City, San Antonio and Washington D.C.

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Our MPA students intern and then go on to lead and manage public and nonprofit organizations. DPP alums work in local, state and federal government. More than 20% of the class of 2020 currently work for a State agency. In the last three years, DPP alums have gone on to work in five of Connecticut’s eight geographic areas. At the federal level alums have gone on to work at offices and departments dedicated to agriculture, commerce, health and human services, homeland security and government accountability. Alums also work at nonprofits dedicated to improving access to education, food, healthcare housing. 

Job Placement

Administrative Service Manager positions are growing faster than average and work to plan, direct and coordinate activities to improve the efficiency of organizations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2019, the annual wages for administrative service managers in top industries include:

  • Finance and insurance $110,170
  • Professional, scientific and technical services $106,760
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals $93,770

Human Resource Manager positions are growing faster than average and work to plan, coordinate and direct administrative functions of organizations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2019, the annual wages for human resource managers in top industries include:

  • Professional, scientific and technical services $131,340
  • Management of companies and enterprises $129,510
  • Manufacturing $115,000
  • Government $102,660

Master of Public Policy (MPP)

Our MPP students learn to judge policies and programs, plan and evaluate alternatives and implement changes. They look at the role of economic and political factors in decision-making and policy formation. Utilizing statistical methods, students learn about resource allocation and decision modeling. Recent Public Policy alums work in areas including but not limited to consulting, government, healthcare, human rights, insurance and philanthropy.

Job Placement

Financial Analyst positions are growing faster than average, and they provide guidance on investment decisions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2019, the annual wages for financial analysts in top industries include:

  • Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities $98,690
  • Management of companies and enterprises $82,870
  • Insurance carriers and related activities $78,850

Management Analyst positions are growing much faster than average, and they make recommendations to improve an organization’s efficiency. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2019, the annual wages for management analysts in top industries include:

  • Professional, scientific and technical services $91,160
  • Finance and insurance $84,940
  • Management of companies and enterprises $84,390
  • Government $79,720

Master of Arts in Survey Research (MASR)

Our MASR students learn to identify and analyze data that makes a difference. They utilize this information to plan and implement effective strategies for market research, corporate, government, policy and education. Students obtain the skill sets to create strategies that suit their intended market, update and add credibility and create the exact services and products people need. 

Recently the DPP launched a track in Media and Communication Campaigns designed for students with an interest in media, culture and creative industries. Through Communication electives in research methods, communication campaigns, crisis risk and social media, students learn to identify the variables that can strengthen social media campaigns and develop the online presence of brands. 

Job Placement

Survey Research is a field that is continually evolving as organizations work to adopt new methods and data to increase productivity. Job opportunities are most prominent for those with advanced degrees. Survey researchers work in colleges and universities, corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, polling organizations and research firms.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2019, the annual wages for survey researchers in top industries include:

  • Scientific research and development services: $71,620
  • Educational services: state, local and private: $61,760

Market Research is a field that is growing much faster than average at local, regional and national levels. Researchers help to determine the potential sales of products and services. They also create marketing campaigns and gather data on competitors, prices, sales and methods of marketing and distribution.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May of 2019 the annual wages for market researchers in top industries include:

  • Publishing industries (except Internet): $75,720
  • Management of companies and enterprises: $74,510
  • Finance and insurance: $71,500