Psychology and behavioural science in public policy - which schools?

[plddp]

Hi,

I'm planning to apply for MPP/MPA programs in the coming months and am looking for more information about the schools that I should apply to.

I am particularly interested in the ways in which research from behavioural science (psychology in particular) can be used to both improve the effectiveness of policy and assess the impacts of policy on well-being. So in addition to solid training in microeconomics, econometrics and program evaluation, I'm looking for schools where I will have an opportunity to explore the applications of behavioural science to public policy. It seems like Harvard, Princeton and Chicago will be a good fit given their faculty and courses in this area, but do you know of other schools in the US or UK that have this focus?

(I have undergraduate degrees in economics and psychology, but my career so far has been in central banking/macrofinancial policy; I'm looking to transition into micro/social policy over time).

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[pubpol101]

If you're interested in the quantitative aspects of your field, you may want to consider CMU Heinz. I'm enrolled here, and while it doesn't have a social/behavioral policy focus per se, its curriculum will teach you a great deal on how you can parlay your undergraduate psychology/econ work in a concrete fashion. There's a lot of technical courses here, along with a fair balance of softer courses to choose from. Here, you'll be able to learn about R analytics, SAS data mining, ArcGIS, multi-criteria decision making, machine learning, STATA in econometrics, and other fields that will allow you to quantify and directly apply the concepts you've learned about. Visit here for more courses: http://www.heinz.cmu.edu/academic-resources/course-results/index.aspx

Based on what I've seen from last year's application cycle, CMU Heinz's MSPPM program is probably one of the only programs (if not the only one), aside from Chicago's newly developed MSCAPP degree, that takes computer science/quantification in public policy very seriously. It's far easier to make technical curriculum a centerpiece of your education here than it is at other softer policy schools.

[CakeTea]

Good list of aforementioned schools for behavioural science modules. I may add Berkeley Goldman and Ford, both econ departments produce relevant research in peer reviewed journals.

[plddp]

Thanks both, really appreciate the suggestions. The CMU Heinz program was one that I hadn't looked at before. Do any other schools come to mind?