Microeconomics and Policy Analysis

Microeconomics and Policy Analysis introduces mid-career professionals to the core analytical tools of microeconomics and their application to real-world policy and management decisions. The course emphasizes how individuals, firms, and governments make decisions under constraints, and how markets function and sometimes fail. Topics include supply and demand, consumer and producer behavior, market structure, welfare analysis, externalities, public goods, and government interventions. Students will develop a working understanding of microeconomic principles and apply them to evaluate policies and regulations. The course combines lectures, recitations, and problem sets to build both conceptual understanding and practical problem-solving skills. No prior background in economics is required, though comfort with basic mathematics and algebra is expected. Designed specifically for Executive MPA students, the course prepares professionals to critically analyze economic arguments, collaborate across diverse teams, and make informed, data-driven decisions in public service contexts.