Political Economy with Data Analytics, MA
The Master of Arts in Political Economy with a Data Analytics Emphasis is a three-semester interdisciplinary program. The major goal of the program curriculum is to train public policy specialists using advanced technologies and data analytics. This program is available for Tulane undergraduate students as well as external candidates.
A 4+1 option is available for Tulane undergraduate students.
A minimum of thirty- (30) credit hours of coursework with a cumulative GPA ≥ 3.0. The 30 hours include 9 hours of core courses, 21 hours of graduate Data Analytics Electives.
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| PECN 6100 | Empirical Approaches to Political Economy | 3 |
| PECN 6200 | Advanced MA Seminar for Political Economy | 3 |
| PECN 6970 | Mathematics for Data Analysis | 3 |
| Methods-Based Electives (select five from the list) | 15 | |
| Elements in Biomedical Informatics | ||
| Introduction to Data Science for Biomedical Informatics | ||
| Statistical Machine and Deep Learning in Biomedical Practice | ||
| Database Management | ||
| Data Management and Statistical Computing | ||
| Introduction To ArcGIS | ||
| Public Health GIS II | ||
| Research Design | ||
| Introduction to Computer Science | ||
| Introduction to Data Science | ||
| Intro to Machine Learning | ||
| Introduction to Deep Learning | ||
| Data Visualization | ||
| Natural Language Processing | ||
| Econometrics | ||
| Intro to GIS | ||
| Advanced GIS | ||
| Intro Remote Sensing | ||
| Remote Sensing for Env Anlys | ||
| Geospatial and Numerical Methods | ||
| Mathematical Statistics | ||
| Linear Models | ||
| Intro to Statistical Inference | ||
| Scientific Computing I | ||
| Time Series Analysis | ||
| Applied Mathematics I | ||
| Data Analysis | ||
| Modeling and Analytics | ||
| Web Analytics | ||
| Advanced Modeling and Analytics | ||
| Quantitative Methods I | ||
| Quantitative Methods I | ||
| Qualitative Methods | ||
Additional Electives may be approved by the Program Director | ||
| Two Topics-Based Electives from the Following | 6 | |
| Economics of Poverty | ||
| Regulation | ||
| Intl Trading Relations | ||
| Health Econ & Policy | ||
| Econ Public Expenditures | ||
| Economics of Taxation | ||
| Public Finance & Public Policy | ||
| Comparative Economic Systems | ||
| Labor & Pop In L.A. | ||
| Econ Devel of Latin America | ||
| Inequality and Poverty in Latin America | ||
| Labor & Population in Lat Amer | ||
| Seminar On Latin American Countries | ||
| Economics of Education Policy and Reform | ||
| Theories of Economic Justice | ||
| Dissertation Prospectus Seminar | ||
| Race, Crime and Control | ||
Additional Electives may be approved by the Program Director | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Three Semester Sample Schedule:
The following is a representative schedule for completing the degree within three semesters. While the program is designed for a three-semester timeline, there is flexibility in course selection and credit hour distribution each term. Additionally, students may opt for a fourth semester if necessary to accommodate their academic or professional goals.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| PECN 6100 | Empirical Approaches to Political Economy | 3 |
| PECN 6970 | Mathematics for Data Analysis | 3 |
| Methods-Based Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Methods-Based Electives | 12 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PECN 6200 | Advanced MA Seminar for Political Economy | 3 |
| Topics-Based Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
4+1 Program
The 4+1 program offers a streamlined path to earning an MA in Political Economy with Data Analytics and is open to Tulane undergraduate students of all academic backgrounds. While all students must meet the program prerequisites before beginning the +1 portion of their studies, the program is designed to accommodate those with or without prior coursework in related fields. Students must apply through the School of Liberal Art’s Graduate Admissions Office (https://liberalarts.tulane.edu/academics/graduate-studies/prospective-students) and be accepted into the program before taking any graduate-level classes.
4+1 Sample Schedule
The following gives a sample schedule for 4+1 students to graduate within a year of their undergraduate graduation. Undergraduate students are permitted to apply up to six credits toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Remaining graduate coursework completed during the fourth year of undergraduate study, typically up to 6 additional credit hours, applies only to the graduate degree.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| Fourth year (undergraduate) | ||
| PECN 6100 | Empirical Approaches to Political Economy (graduate credit only) | 3 |
| PECN 6970 | Mathematics for Data Analysis (graduate credit only ) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Fourth year (undergraduate) | ||
| Methods-Based Electives (Graduate & Undergraduate Credit) | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PECN 6200 | Advanced MA Seminar for Political Economy | 3 |
| Methods-Based Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Methods-Based Electives | 3 | |
| Topics-Based Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Program String and Field of Study: LAMA_GR, PEDA
Catalog addenda note: Minor edits were made to this program on 7/18/2025.
For more information, contact the School of Liberal Arts.