My discipline and graduate program
My discipline is public policy, and my future graduate program is MPP. Public policy is a significant major for every country. First, every government must need a lot of experts to help them make decision for all social aspects, such as education, economic and international affairs. Second, most policy will bring a huge impact to people, even change their life. We must analyze some policies and try to make sure these policies will benefit people. Third, if a government pass a policy which will damage human rights, the government would lost their governance legitimacy foundation. If the policy not be changed, a revolution would happen. This is the worst situation for a country, we should give government suggestions to avoid it happen.
Our college provide 11 areas for us:
International governance and institutions
National security and public policy
US government institutions and policy management
Social policy
Regional economic development
Science and technology policy
Transportation policy
Global medical and health policy
Urban policy and development
Public finance and budgeting
I want to study all these areas, but I have to finish my degree in 2 years. So I decide focus on “urban policy and development”, “international governance and institution” and “transportation policy”. Because my dream is help citizens get a better urban life, and solve urban disease. Recent year, most big city in China suffered serious urban disease, especially transportation problem and pollution. I also have another dream which is work for the United Nation. Working for the U.N. means I can serve all people in the world. To study this area, I also can get internship from some NGO, which can help me develop my own career.
My academic goals
I will focus on urban policy, especially transportation policy and smart city. Because city diseases bring negative influence to urban development and smart city is a potential solution for these diseases. Focusing on these fields can help me find an internship easier, because both topics are popular in MPP research. I also can write and publish a research paper about them after I get familiar enough with these topics.
My plan of study
I need to get 39(with completed internship) credits in MPP program. My pathway program can provide 10 credits, so I still need 29 credits. The following chart is my plan of study.
| Course Title and Number | Credits | Semester | Type |
| ITRN 503 – Macroeconomic Policy in the Global Economy | 3 | Spring2016 | Required |
| PUBP 503 – Culture, Organization and Technology | 3 | Fall2016 | Required |
| PUBP 500 Theory and practice in Public Policy | 3 | Spring2017 | Required |
| PUBP 511 Statistical Methods in Policy Analysis | 3 | Spring2017 | Required |
| PUBP 713 Policy and Program Evaluation | 3 | Spring2017 | Required |
| PUPB 720 Managerial Economics and Policy Analysis | 3 | Fall 2017 | Required |
| PUBP 741 U.S. Financial Policy Processes and Procedures | 3 | Fall 2017 | Required |
| ITRN 752 Global Business and Policy | 3 | Fall 2017 | Electives |
| PUBP 748 Public Transportation Policy | 3 | Spring2018 | Electives |
| PUBP 723 Metropolitan Transportation Policy | 3 | Spring2018 | Electives |
| PUBP 733 Urban Politics and Policy | 3 | Spring2018 | Electives |
| PUPB 748 Public Trans., Policy, Operations & Logistics | 3 | Spring2018 | Electives |
My Academic Advisor
My INTO advisor is Emma Cutrufello. And my academic advisor of School of Policy and Government is Silva Pecini. If I want to meet my advisor, I would make an appointment with him or her. I think I need to meet my advisor once a month, when I have some question or problem with my study plan. Advisors will supervise my grades. If I get a low grade, they would ask me what happens. Academic advisor also can provide some courses details, for example professor information, if we want to make or change our study plan.