Use data science to actively impact equity, equality, and social justice.
The MSSP Program + Data Analytics for Social Policy Certificate (MSSP+DA) is a STEM-designated degree that empowers you to leverage social policy and data analytics to address economic, educational, and health inequities. Throughout the program, the data analytic material is taught in relationship with the various theories, approaches, and domains of social policy analysis. You’ll learn to use data to help solve disparities of race/ethnicity, gender, and class across systems such as immigration, child welfare, and education.
For students interested in pursuing the MSSP program without the data analytics certificate, please see our Master of Science in Social Policy degree.
Learn more about the MSSP + DA program and the SP2 experience.
Ready to experience SP2? Learn more about the application process.
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Welcome to the MSSP+DA Program at the University of Pennsylvania!
Are you interested in pursuing a master’s degree in social policy and data analytics? If so, you have come to the right place. In this innovative program, you will learn from world-class faculty who are experts in their fields and passionate about teaching. You will also learn from your peers who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Policy internships and projects will give you the opportunity to apply your skills in real-world settings. As the academic director of the program, I am eager to work with you and help you achieve your academic and professional goals.
I am an economist with U.S. federal policy experience as the principal economist at the Department of Justice Antitrust Division. My research touches on many social policy issues, including low-wage work, the universal basic income, and environmental justice. I am committed to using data analytics to inform policy decisions that promote social justice. I believe that data analytics is a powerful tool that can help us understand and address complex social problems, but it also requires critical thinking to ensure its fair and accurate use.
Our interdisciplinary program provides you with rigorous training in policy analysis, data analytics, and critical theory. You will study a wide range of social policy domains, such as social welfare, education, health, technology, and environmental justice, among many others. We will examine social policy from a social justice perspective, challenging assumptions and biases in data analytics, and seeking effective solutions to promote social justice. As artificial intelligence is able to execute more and more tasks, we more than ever need critical and strategic thinking about policy.
In addition to our rigorous academic training, you will gain real-world experience through a policy internship that will connect you with policy practitioners and organizations in multiple sectors and settings. You will become part of a vibrant and diverse community of scholars who share your passion for data analytics and social change.
Whether you are a current or prospective student, I hope you are as excited as I am about this program and what it can offer you. I wish you all the best in your studies and look forward to meeting you soon!
Ioana E. Marinescu, PhD
Faculty Director, MSSP+DA Program
“Our interdisciplinary program provides you with rigorous training in policy analysis, data analytics, and critical theory.”
