Florida Politics praised State Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Cantonment) as the first seated Florida lawmaker to graduate from Florida State University’s Master’s in Applied American Politics and Policy program (MAAPP).
The website quoted her: “Graduating from the Master’s in Applied American Politics and Policy program at Florida State University has been a deeply personal and professional milestone for me. As a seated lawmaker, juggling legislative duties, community responsibilities, and academic coursework was no small task. But I pursued this degree because I believe in leading by example, and in order to make the best policy decisions, we need to constantly grow, learn, and challenge ourselves.”
Background: Florida State University’s MAAPP is a 36-credit, non-thesis program designed to provide practical training for work in political and governmental organizations, which includes an internship. Established in 2001, the MAAPP program has graduated more than 600 people, some of whom hold prominent positions in state and national politics, according to Florida Politics.
Typical Required Courses
While exact course titles may vary by year, typical required courses include:
• Fundamentals of Political Management
• Campaign Process
• Political Communication and Messaging
• Public Policy Analysis
• American Political Institutions
• Political Behavior and Public Opinion
Electives
Students also choose electives from a range of offerings related to:
• Legislative Process
• Lobbying
• Advocacy
• State and Local Government
• Specialized topics in American politics and public policy
There doesn’t appear to be any courses on campaign spending.
Takeaways from Tallahassee
Every Saturday, Florida Politics produces its wrap-up of Florida political news, which includes “Capital Directions.”
- Salzman received a much-coveted “Up” arrow: “And not a single term paper was ghostwritten by a lobbyist, either. Respect.”
The University of West Florida’s interim president, Manny Diaz, didn’t fare as well, receiving a “Down” arrow for this heavy-handed firing of UWF General Counsel Susan Woolf for not giving Board of Trustees Chair Rebecca Matthews the outside counsel the chair wanted – “It’s like Lance Armstrong blood doping for a Sunday ride with the kids. You’re the pick, man — just chill.”