<p>I'm interested in quantitative educational policy-analysis and would eventually like to become a college administrator. Does anyone here knows anything about the public policy studies major, beyond what can be found online?</p>
<p>I know the Harris School of Public Policy is famous for its use of quantitative methods and economic analysis, but I'm under the impression that the undergraduate major is not affiliated with the Harris School.</p>
<p>I also remember reading that a 4-year BA/MS in statistics program is available, and students are encouraged to earn their BA in a field other than statistics. Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge about this?</p>
<p>I don't think my chance at admission is very high, but I've just been amazed with the material UChicago has sent me, and what I've learned by researching UChicago online.</p>
<p>You are correct, the UG major is not affiliated with the Harris School. It basically draws upon classes from a variety of other social science majors (economics, political science, sociology) while retaining a small faculty to teach certain core subjects and run a capstone event (a policy project of some sort). </p>
<p>As a general principal, you would better off at any school going from a BA in stat or applied / computational math to a masters of public or educational policy than the other way around. Most graduate policy and education schools programs will allow you take very challenging quantitative courses (including PhD level ones) if your UG major is right. Not so in reverse (BA in PP, MS in Stat is basically unheard of at selective universities).</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply!</p>
<p>I see your point as a general principal, and if I find myself at any other school this coming year, I will likely double major in math or statistics and public policy. However, the University of Chicago is different. If I were to be accepted into the BA/MS program, I could complete the PPS Undergrad Major and MS in Statistics with as few as 18 courses.</p>
<p>Obviously, this possibility is something I’d want to explore at UChicago, and is moot at this point. I’m just trying to understand the program and see what’s available.</p>
<p>FYI: Most of the double degree programs are very picking about admissions. They tend to set higher standards than they would for an outside applicant. </p>
<p>Chicago is not like MIT, Stanford, or Hopkins, all of which strongly encourage students to take up a joint graduate degrees during their undergraduate years.</p>