Leadership, Policy, & Governance

Students enrolled in this Graduate Certificate program will study and analyze evolving challenges in the private/public space programs and policy perspectives, social structures, and governance models.

Students will survey existing international legal and regulatory frameworks for space activities and establish new models and frameworks for the effective performance of stakeholders for long-term sustainable use of space.

GOV 500: Leadership - Theory and Practice (3 credits)

This course introduces and reinforces concepts and skills to engage and lead a team. Through self-assessments, simulations and experiential exercises, students shall gain a deeper understanding of leadership styles and their impact. Students will apply new competencies to address change and conflict, through strategic communication and influence, critical thinking, and effective decision making processes. The course challenges students to identify and create a collaborative, resilient, and robust organization that meets ongoing demands of dynamic environments.

GOV 501: Policy Development and Analysis (3 credits)

This course explores the policy cycle – from problem identification, policy formulation and strategy development, through to support for implementation, evaluation, and impact assessment. Students shall be exposed to topics and policies related to space exploration and development, including trends, models, and best practices in a diverse range of policy fields. They will be asked to address pressing challenges facing governments today and prospective issues in future space settlements through an interactive setting simulating the policy development process.

GOV 502: Governance and Institutions (3 credits)

This course is intended to examine key governance structures and institutions in a comparative perspective. Students shall consider the viewpoints of global governance on Earth to facilitate cooperation, governance of space settlements, and the nature and extent of relations of the governance of Earth via outer-space and vice-versa. Students will explore emerging challenges to existing frameworks, propose models to address the relative roles of public and private systems and the procedural issues in a variety of policy areas such as trade, security, health care, environment, infrastructure, and transportation.