Graduate Program
Master of Public Informatics
The AI+data informatics revolution has arrived in the public & private sectors. Become a leader in the rapidly growing field of Public Informatics!
The Bloustein School’s Master of Public Informatics serves as the prominent and distinguished program for educating highly talented professional student cohorts in the competencies needed in public informatics, advanced data science and analytics, which includes topics such as: machine learning, global data analytics, artificial intelligence, textual analytics and natural language processing, statistics, programming, data management, GIS, visualization, spatial analysis, domain applications, and the application of these skills for domain-specific value creation. The MPI program at Rutgers provides excellent state-of-the-art research driven project opportunities. Graduates of the MPI program will provide a deep understanding of advanced data science and analytics methods, context and public benefit perspectives to this fast growing and high demand domain.
An AI+data revolution is underway in the fields of city planning, policy, operations, healthcare, public administration, business management, GIS, transportation and energy, to name a few. We now have a vast array of data collection mechanisms such as IoT based ubiquitous sensors, telecommunications networks. We can use AI, advanced data science and analytics methods to make evidence-based decision making more feasible. Public informatics is the study of advanced AI+data topics for societal benefit.
The limiting factor to the successful use of the massive AI+data value creation paradigm is the absence of appropriately trained informatics professionals. Public informatics, as an interdisciplinary field that uses scientific methods, processes, algorithms, advanced analytics and information systems to extract knowledge or insights from various forms of structured or unstructured data, is a critical domain with an increasingly significant need for well trained data scientists. Cross-trained data science professionals with skills in public applications of information science are needed to address this growing need for public informatics graduates.
Training Advanced Informatics and Data Science Professionals for Public Good
About the Public Informatics Program
The MPI degree will be tremendously valuable for both public service and corporate/business careers. Public informatics is critical for local and national policy-making, and data driven decision making in numerous public domains, including energy, transportation, urban planning, GIS and healthcare. The MPI degree can also be a vital asset for private sector professionals as corporations and businesses seek to leverage public informatics to guide their long-term strategy towards improved profitability and KPIs, and day to day operations in sustainability, corporate governance, compliance, civic trends and insights, and public perceptions of products, services, and brands. There appears to be a growing demand for public informatics graduates based on the rising employer demand for professionals with advanced data science, artificial intelligence and domain specific data science, analytics and informatics capabilities.
Why invest in a degree?
- The MPI degree provides an excellent and unique curriculum for the study of advanced data science, analytics, informatics and AI topics.
- MPI program graduates will have a distinguished standing as a part of Rutgers, a globally reputed top ranked University.
- The MPI program runs small cohorts with a diverse student population and a strong international participation, leading to peer learning opportunities.
- The MPI program offers numerous specializations including GIS, Transportation, Energy, Robotics, Data Visualization, Healthcare and Artificial Intelligence.
- The MPI program is flexible and allows for the development of customized concentration and students may be allowed to substitute courses upon meeting requirements.
- The Bloustein School offers a great student supportive environment, and students will have opportunities through the Public Informatics Students Group (PISG).
- Given the vast academic and professional networks associated with Rutgers, students will have increased opportunities for internships, practical training (3-year STEM OPT for international students) and jobs. This includes optional career support activities and training as well.
- The Bloustein School has many distinguished faculty and well-established centers – skilled students will have opportunities to work on real-world projects, research initiatives and other projects at these centers and labs at the school, and across Rutgers University.
- Upon graduation, MPI graduates can be proud for a lifetime to be recognized as belonging to the strong Rutgers alumni network and the vast possibilities associated with it!
Who should apply?
The Rutgers MPI program is suitable for students with undergraduate degrees in any field with necessary quantitative skills. Applicants who are familiar with
one or more programming languages and data management (through coursework, work experience, or certifications) may be given priority.
It is anticipated that full-time students may complete the 36 credit hours required for the degree in three (3) semesters (18 months). The MPI program accepts both full time and part time (executive)candidates.
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Faculty
Program Faculty
Student & Academic Services
Steve Weston
Assistant Dean of Academic Administration
Courtney Culler
Associate Director for Graduate Student Services
Greg Marrero
Student Counselor, Graduate Student Services
Andrea Garrido
Career Management Specialist for Planning, Policy, and Informatics Masters Students
Cheryl Egan
Career Management Specialist for Health Administration Masters Students
Curriculum
Core Courses
- 34: 816: 501 Theory & Practice of Public Informatics*
- 34: 816: 634 Machine Learning For Public Informatics*
- 34: 816: 637 Global Data Analytics*
- 34: 816: 645 Artificial Intelligence*
- 34: 970: 527 / 833:525 Applied Multivariate Methods or eqv.*
- 34: 816: nnn PI Seminar: Intro To GIS For Public Informatics / Command line GIS*
- 34: 816: 503 Data Visualization (Advised)
- 34:816:510/511 Studio in Public Informatics (Advised)
* Required
Electives
A broad range of additional electives within the Bloustein School and other Rutgers University schools and colleges will be offered; some topics will be covered under future seminar, studio, and special topics courses.
- Informatics Studio 1 – Textual Analytics & Natural Language Processing
- Informatics Studio 2 – Advanced Textual Analytics & Natural Language Processing
- Urban Planning Studio
- Public Policy Studio
- Seminar: Special topics, cyber informatics, GIS, energy, transportation, NLU, smart cities, financial informatics, public opinion informatics
- Public Policy Practicum I
- Public Policy Practicum II
- GIS – Special Topics
- Graphical Communication for Planners
- Basic Quantitative Methods
- Additional one-credit courses: Intro to R, Intro to Python and Intro to HPC (Supercomputing)
- Intro to Python for Data Visualization (1 credit Summer course)
Concentrations
The MPI program offers four areas of concentration that allow students to focus on domain specific career enhancement. These concentrations are intended to help students develop knowledge and skills specializations that will help them to be successful in their individual careers. As a fifth option, students can consider a ‘Custom Concentration’ related to public informatics, advanced data science and AI (Requires approval from advisor and program director, for MPI students only).
Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Geographic Information Science
Transportation Analytics
Social Robotics
Joint Degree & Certificate Programs
Urban Planning and Public Informatics (MCRP/MPI)
Combining the Bloustein School’s Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) and Master of Public Informatics (MPI) leads to a three-year dual degree option. Admission to the dual MCRP/MPI degree program is highly selective and requires simultaneous, separate applications to and acceptance by each program. A total of 60 credits must be completed in a minimum of three years of full-time study.
There are different possible course plans that would meet the dual degree requirements and students may begin the dual degree in either program or pursue both simultaneously. The MCRP degree requires a set of core, concentration and elective course which may be found here. Dual degree students starting in the MCRP must complete 12 MPI-eligible credits beyond their 48-credit requirement for the MCRP, totaling 60 credits. The MPI degree requires 30 credits of core courses and 6 credits of electives. Dual degree students starting in the MPI must complete complete 24 MCRP-eligible credits beyond their 36-credit requirement for the MPI degree, totaling 60 credits.
Public Policy and Public Informatics (MPP/MPI)
Combining the Bloustein School’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Public Informatics (MPI) degree leads to a 60 credit, two-and-a-half year dual degree option. This is a savings of 24 credits – a full year -- relative to completing both degrees individually.
There are different possible course plans that would meet the dual degree requirements and students may begin the dual degree in either program or pursue both simultaneously. Dual degree students who begin with the MPP program must complete an additional four MPI courses (12 credits). Dual degree students who begin with the MPI program complete the 36 credit MPI and an additional 24 credits of MPP required courses.
Admission to the dual MPP/MPI degree program is highly selective and requires separate applications to and acceptance by each program.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Public and Urban Informatics
Professionals who are starting their careers may pursue this certificate to enhance their skills and explore pursuing the Bloustein School’s master’s in public informatics; mid-career professionals may find this certificate of interest in order to upgrade and advance their quantitative and informatics capabilities.
Recent Projects in Data Analytics and Public Informatics
Bikeshare Usage Change in New York City Due to COVID-19
Variation in Ride-Hailing Trip in Chengdu, China
Understanding How Changes in Mobility Affect the Spread of Coronavirus
Bikesharing Trip Patterns in New York City: Associations with Land Use, Subways, and Bicycle Lanes
Bikeshare Trip Generation in New York City
COVID-19 and Movement Patterns in New Jersey
Tracking Social and Economic Effects of COVID-19
Data Dashboard: Citibike during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Careers in Public Informatics, Data Science, and Data Analysis
- AARP
- Applied Energy Group
- Deloitte
- Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
- Eurostat
- Federal Transit Administration
- Johnson and Johnson
- Mathematica Policy Research
- MDRC
- Port Authority of New York New Jersey
- United Nations
- United Nations Development Programme
- UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- World Bank
- World Economic Forum
- WSP USA