Solving Public Policy Problems in the State of California
We are now accepting proposals for the Goldman School APA Sacramento Program for Spring 2022!
Submit a Proposal
Launched in Fall 2012, the APA Sacramento Program is a partnership between the Goldman School of Public Policy and the California State Legislature and Office of the Governor. This exciting program teams up a Goldman School Master of Public Policy student completing an Advanced Policy Analysis (APA) project with a legislator or member of the Governor’s Office who will serve as the student’s “client”. This program makes it possible for students to work on real-world legislative issues and bills that are important and of high priority to key policy makers in Sacramento. Guided under the supervision of a GSPP faculty member, students have the opportunity to conduct high-quality quantitative and analytical policy analysis to evaluate and develop solutions to today’s most complex policy problems facing the State of California.
The students’ academic experience includes interdisciplinary training in multiple fields such as microeconomics and statistical modeling, public policy analysis, equity and social justice, public management and policy implementation, and political/legal analysis. Students also bring strong oral and written communication skills, as well as innovative thinking and leadership skills. A faculty advisor oversees each student’s work, ensuring that their final Advanced Policy Analysis product, which is equivalent to a Master’s thesis, is of value to the legislator and exemplifies the best analysis of the policy issue.
Program Benefits & Eligibility
Eligible participants (clients) must be legislators and/or key staff from the California Office of the Governor, State Assembly and/or Senate offices (both Democratic and Republican, with the goal of having an equal balance of projects between the two houses), as well as State agencies. They will serve as “clients” for the APA projects.
Participant benefits include access to:
- Rigorous analysis, research, and policy recommendations on contemporary issues and legislative bills.
- Project supervision by University of California, Berkeley faculty members from the Goldman School of Public Policy.
- Public Policy graduate students with superior quantitative, statistical, communication, and analytical skills, as well as substantive work experience.
- Regularly scheduled interactions between clients and students to ensure that all work and product deliverables are on track.
- Final deliverables including a professional policy analysis report with policy recommendations and presentation.
Proposal Submission Process and Selection Timeline
Proposal Deadline: October 15, 2021 Prospective clients are invited to submit a simple online application form outlining their policy analysis needs. Clients may request more time if needed to submit a proposal. |
Student Application Period: October 18-22 |
Client Application Review and Interviews: Starting October 25 |
Student Selection Finalized: November 15 |
Project Timeline
- January to May 2022: Project work begins. Students begin projects during the third week of January 2022, although students can begin preliminary work on the project earlier depending on the needs of the client and/or the project. Students attend a weekly seminar with a faculty advisor and another 10-12 students doing their own projects. At minimum, students will work approximately 18 to 20 hours per week during the spring semester, which is 15 weeks long. Depending on the student, they may spend up to 30 hours per week working on the project.
- Mid-April 2022: Draft project due. Draft report is due to the faculty advisor and client for review and feedback.
- Early May 2022: Final paper due. Final paper is due to the faculty advisor, client, and GSPP student services unit.
Expectations of Client and Student
CLIENT | STUDENT |
Meet with student prior to the start of the project to negotiate and define the project’s scope and develop project timeline (projects begin in mid-January and end in early May). | Meet with client prior to the start of the project to negotiate and define the project’s scope and develop project timeline (projects begin in mid-January and end in early May). |
Provide internal data sources relevant to the project, advise students regarding external data sources; arrange for student access to relevant stakeholders. | Provide list of data sources and relevant stakeholders needed to conduct research for the project. |
Meet student regularly throughout the Spring to ensure project stays on course; provide feedback and resources based on student progress reports throughout the semester. | Meet client regularly throughout the Spring to ensure project stays on course; provide scheduled progress reports, including a mid-point status report on preliminary findings. |
Read and provide feedback on mid-point status report on preliminary findings; interim report draft(s); and final report. | Submit mid-point status report on preliminary findings; interim report draft(s); and final report to client for review and feedback. |
*Note: Dissemination of the final work product should be discussed and agreed upon first by the client.
List of APA Projects Done in Previous Years
Please contact Cecille Cabacungan to obtain a copy of any of the reports listed below.
Spring 2021 |
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Spring 2020 |
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Spring 2019 |
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Spring 2018 |
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Spring 2017 |
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Spring 2016 |
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Spring 2015 |
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Spring 2014 |
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Spring 2013 |
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