Online Master of Science in Public Interest Technology

This public interest master’s in technology is designed to train tomorrow’s leaders to imagine, design, create and apply technology for the advancement of social good. This program will equip you to assess new and emerging technologies, engage with community stakeholders, identify issues that are of public interest to communities, find a public consensus and deploy technologies that will benefit humanity.

What is public interest? And what is public interest technology?

Public interest is of particular relevance or appeal to the well-being of the general public. Our study of public interest in this master’s degree specifically considers how technology and the application of technology can be beneficial to local and global communities.

A public interest technologist can help corporations, government agencies and nonprofits achieve their goals responsibly through the consideration of people as both consumers and global citizens. Graduates may work to solve socio technical problems such as privacy encroachment, security data breaches, inaccessibility to information, unsustainable business practices, humanitarian crises, energy inefficiencies, issues of empowerment, transparency and oversight, among others.

What will I learn in this master’s degree in technology?

As a student in the public interest technology graduate degree, you’ll become a skilled advisor and transdisciplinary thinker. You’ll become a member of the next generation of professionals responsible for shaping the future of communities, societies and, ultimately, the world. This technology degree is unique in that it integrates social responsibility, rather than emphasizing programming or other advanced technical competencies. In this program, you’ll gain or refresh your technological fluency. Many of the core ideas of this public interest technology program were developed from the Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes.