Policy Advisor Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Policy Advisor

Best Schools to become a Policy Advisor in U.S. 2024

George Washington University

Washington, DC

In-State Tuition:$60,856
Out-of-State Tuition:$60,856
Admission Rate:49%
Graduation Rate:85%
Total Enrollment:25,939

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

In-State Tuition:$60,480
Out-of-State Tuition:$60,480
Admission Rate:7%
Graduation Rate:94%
Total Enrollment:31,275

American University

Washington, DC

In-State Tuition:$53,070
Out-of-State Tuition:$53,070
Admission Rate:41%
Graduation Rate:79%
Total Enrollment:13,885

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

In-State Tuition:$11,564
Out-of-State Tuition:$41,636
Admission Rate:9%
Graduation Rate:92%
Total Enrollment:46,430

Georgetown University

Washington, DC

In-State Tuition:$61,872
Out-of-State Tuition:$61,872
Admission Rate:12%
Graduation Rate:96%
Total Enrollment:20,984

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

In-State Tuition:$17,454
Out-of-State Tuition:$56,941
Admission Rate:18%
Graduation Rate:93%
Total Enrollment:51,225
Policy Advisor Job Description:
  • Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems.
  • May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology.
  • May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities.
  • May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Policy Advisor

Job Duties for Policy Advisors

  • Develop and test theories, using information from interviews, newspapers, periodicals, case law, historical papers, polls, or statistical sources.

  • Maintain current knowledge of government policy decisions.

  • Teach political science.

Technologies and Skills Used by Policy Advisors

Analytical or scientific software

  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • SAS

Information retrieval or search software

  • EBSCO Publishing Political Science Complete
  • Sage Reference Online

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Figuring out how to use new ideas or things
  • Reading work related information

People and Technology Systems

  • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Policy Advisor

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Policy Advisor

FAQs About Becoming a Policy Advisor