Program Overview

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Public Policy (M.P.P.)

The Master in Public Policy degree (MPP) offers students the opportunity to learn the skills needed to succeed in today's public policy jobs—analytical expertise, strategic vision, clear and compelling communications, and the tools of leadership. This master's in public policy program is ideal whether students will be completing their bachelor's degree in the near future or are currently working in a policy-related field.

Description

The MPP program provides students with the foundational analytical, strategic, and communication skills for a successful career in public policy making. Students can choose a track focused on public policy analysis or strategy and communications—and select from a broad range of electives to personalize their degree plan.

Requirements

Students enrolled in the Carsey School's Master in Public Policy program (MPP degree) are required to complete a forty (40) credit program, consisting of:

• Five (5) CORE Curriculum Courses
• Four (4) EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Activities
• Two (2) PUBLIC POLICY TRACK Courses (Strategy and Communication Track or Policy Analysis Track)
• Four (4) ELECTIVE Courses

Course List

The following courses are required for the MPP program:

MPP CORE Curriculum Courses

• PPOL 806: Fundamentals of Policy Analysis (3 credits)
• PPOL 810: Policy Across Borders (3 credits)
• PPOL 902: Strategy and Practice of Public Policy (3 credits)
• PPOL 904: Economics for Public Policy (3 credits)
• PPOL 908: Quantitative Methods for Policy Research (3 credits)

MPP EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Activities

• PPOL 950: Washington DC Colloquium (3 credits)
• PPOL 990A: Policy Capstone Planning (1 credit)
• PPOL 990: Policy Capstone (3 credits)
• PPOL 998A or PPOL 998: Policy Internship 1 or Policy Internship (0 or 3 credits)

PUBLIC POLICY TRACK

Students choose two (2) courses from either the Strategy and Communication Track or the Policy Analysis Track.

ELECTIVE Courses

Four (4) open elective courses are selected in substantive areas approved by the MPP program.

Degree Plan

The MPP program can be completed in as little as 16 months. Students can also choose to earn their MPP degree over a longer period by attending part-time.

Sample 16-Month Full-Time Degree Completion Plan

The following is a sample plan of study for students starting in the fall or spring:

Fall Start

• Fall: PPOL 806, PPOL 904, PPOL 908, MPP Public Policy Track Course, Elective Course
• January Term: PPOL 950
• Spring: PPOL 810, PPOL 902, PPOL 990A, MPP Public Policy Track Course, Elective Course
• Summer: PPOL 998A or PPOL 998
• Second Year Fall: PPOL 990, Elective Courses

Spring Start

• Spring: PPOL 810, PPOL 902, MPP Public Policy Track Course, Elective Course
• Summer: PPOL 998A or PPOL 998
• Fall: PPOL 806, PPOL 904, PPOL 908, PPOL 990A, MPP Public Policy Track Course
• January Term: PPOL 950
• Second Year Spring: PPOL 990, Elective Courses

Accelerated Master's Overview

Accelerated Master's programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor's degree.

Accelerated Master's Highlights

• Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master's degree or graduate certificate early.
• Earn up to 12 graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor's degree.
• Complete the bachelor's degree, and then officially matriculate into the master's or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.

Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements

• A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.
• A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
• Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).

Accelerated Master's Requirements

• Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
• Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
• Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor's degree in most programs.

Public Policy (M.P.P.) Accelerated Option

This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate programs:

• College of Health and Human Services
• College of Liberal Arts
• College of Professional Studies - Manchester
• College of Professional Studies - Online

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the MPP program, students will be able to:

• Apply basic methods of policy development and analysis to design and evaluate public policy
• Demonstrate competency in public speaking and writing related to public policy
• Demonstrate competency in strategic and tactical skills for achieving policy objectives
• Utilize data and research to inform policy design and advocacy
• Understand policy profession norms and ethics
• Apply critical thinking skills to address policy-relevant questions