Program Overview

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Master of Science in Public Policy (STEM-Designated)

The Master of Science in Public Policy (MSPP) equips students with the analytical, quantitative, and communication skills essential for shaping effective public policies. This STEM-designated, accelerated one-year program offers comprehensive training in policy analysis, public management, and advanced data techniques, all within the support of a tight-knit cohort.

Program Overview

The MSPP degree prepares students for impactful roles across government, nonprofits, and global public service. Graduates leave with the tools to design and implement policies that create lasting change locally and internationally.

Advance Your Career With a Master's in Public Policy

Our master's in public policy program will prepare students for roles across a range of fields and sectors, from local housing policy to national health policy and global public service. Graduates of the program are equipped to work in roles such as:

• Policy Analyst
• Researcher/Academic
• Public Affairs Consultant
• Government Affairs Specialist
• Legislative Assistant
• Public-Sector Consultant

Skills You'll Gain With a Master's in Public Policy

The MSPP degree focuses on both technical and strategic aspects of public policy, empowering graduates to address real-world challenges with data-driven solutions. Key skills students will develop include:

• Analytical Thinking: Evaluating policy challenges and developing well-reasoned solutions.
• Quantitative Methods: Applying data analysis to inform decisions and measure policy impact.
• Public Management: Leading and managing policy initiatives in public and nonprofit organizations.
• Strategic Communication: Presenting complex policy ideas clearly to diverse audiences.
• Data Interpretation: Gathering and interpreting data to support informed policy-making.

Why Choose NYU Wagner?

Our MS in Public Policy program lays the foundation for a successful career in public policy and analysis. Our interdisciplinary approach, expert faculty, and prime New York City location offer unparalleled learning, growth, and professional development opportunities. Here's what sets us apart:

• Accelerated Curriculum: Complete your degree in just one year while mastering the skills to analyze, design, and implement impactful public policies.
• Tight-Knit Cohort Structure: Study within a collaborative environment that fosters deep, lasting connections with peers, creating a strong support network throughout the program.
• Distinguished Faculty: Learn from premier scholars in a variety of disciplines, including economics, finance, sociology, political science, law, planning, and healthcare.
• Hands-On Experience: The program integrates practical experiences like a spring internship and culminates in the Policy and Data Studio, where students independently design and execute a data-driven policy project.
• Tangible Career Outcomes: Graduates of the MSPP program are prepared for high-impact roles in government, nonprofits, international organizations, and the private sector, with alumni at organizations such as the United Nations and leading consulting firms.

Program Requirements

The MSPP program includes an intensive, one-year curriculum requiring full-time enrollment. It runs for 12 calendar months, beginning in mid-August, with an official graduation date in September. As a STEM-designated degree, MSPP alumni with F-1 visas are eligible to apply for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension beyond Post-Completion OPT.

Curriculum Overview

Below is an overview of the required coursework for the 42-credit MSPP program:

• August Pre-Term (Two Weeks): MSPP-GP.1000, Methods and Microeconomics Intensive
• Fall Semester:
  • MSPP-GP.1022, Introduction to Public Policy
  • MSPP-GP.2100, Communication Skills for the Policy Analyst
  • MSPP-GP.2905, Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis
  • MSPP-GP.4021, Financial Management I (first half of semester)
  • PADM-GP.2140, Public Economics
  • PADM-GP 2171, Evaluating Programs and Policies, or 3 credits from Topic Electives
• January Term:
  • MSPP-GP.4105, Public Management I
  • MSPP-GP.4106, Public Management II
• Spring Semester:
  • MSPP-GP.4900, The Practice of Work
  • PADM-GP 2171, Evaluating Programs and Policies (if not completed in fall), or 3 credits from Topic Electives
  • Methods Elective (3 credits)
  • Topic Elective (3 credits)
  • Methods Elective or Topic Elective (3 credits)
• Summer Semester:
  • MSPP-GP.3100, Applied Policy Analysis
  • MSPP-GP.3101, Policy and Data Studio

Electives

Students must complete a combination of methods and topic electives to further develop specialized skills. Options include:

Methods Electives

• PADM-GP.2875: Estimating Impacts in Policy Research
• PADM-GP.4119: Data Visualization and Storytelling
• PADM-GP.4147: Large Scale Data Analysis with Machine Learning I
• PADM-GP.4148: Large Scale Data Analysis with Machine Learning II
• PADM-GP.4503: Introduction to Data Analytics for Public Policy, Administration, and Management
• PADM-GP.4504: Introduction to Database Design, Management, and Security
• PADM-GP.4506: Python Coding for Public Policy
• URPL-GP.4650: Advanced GIS: Interactive Web Mapping and Spatial Data Visualization

Topic Electives

• Economic Analysis of Public Policy
  • PADM-GP.2138, Macroeconomics: Policy Challenges for the US & Global Economy
  • PADM-GP.2147, Corporate Finance and Public Policy
  • PADM-GP.2203, Economics of International Development
  • PADM-GP.2445, Poverty, Inequality, and Policy
  • PADM-GP.2472, Climate Economics
  • URPL-GP.2608, Urban Economics
  • HPAM-GP.4830, Health Economics: Principles
  • HPAM-GP.4831, Health Economics: Topics in Domestic Health Policy
• Education Policy
  • PADM-GP-4440, Education and Social Policy
  • PADM-GP.2441, The Economics of Education: Policy and Finance
• Environmental Policy
  • URPL-GP.1605, Land Use Law
  • PADM-GP.2472, Climate Economics
• International Development Policy
  • PADM-GP.2201, Institutions, Governance, and International Development
  • PADM-GP.2202, Politics of International Development
  • PADM-GP.2203, Economics of International Development
  • PADM-GP.2204, Development Assistance, Accountability and Aid Effectiveness
  • URPL-GP.2665, Decentralized Development Planning and Policy Reform in Developing Countries
  • PADM-GP.4217, Accountability in Humanitarian Assistance
  • PADM-GP.4250, Hunger and Food Security in a Global Perspective
• Politics & the Policy Process
  • PADM-GP.2201, Institutions, Governance, and International Development
  • PADM-GP.2202, Politics of International Development
  • PADM-GP.2411, Policy Formation and Policy Analysis
  • PADM-GP.4116, Participatory Policymaking
• Race, Class & Diversity Policy
  • PADM-GP.2445, Poverty, Inequality, and Policy
  • URPL-GP.2452, Public-Private Partnerships, Public Spaces, Politics, & the Press
  • PADM-GP.4116, Participatory Policymaking
• Social Policy
  • PADM-GP.2311, Impact Investing
  • PADM-GP.2445, Poverty, Inequality, and Policy
  • HPAM-GP.2836, Topics in Health Policy: Policy, Politics, and Power
  • PADM-GP.4116, Participatory Policymaking
  • PADM-GP.4313, Capital, Power, and Systemic Change
• Urban Policy
  • URPL-GP.2452, Public-Private Partnerships, Public Spaces, Politics, & the Press
  • URPL-GP.2608, Urban Economics
  • PADM-GP.4250, Hunger and Food Security in a Global Perspective
  • URPL-GP.4636, Housing Policy I
  • URPL-GP.4638, Housing Policy II

Meet Our Faculty

• Katherine M. O'Regan, Professor of Public Policy and Planning; Director of Master of Science in Public Policy Program
• Sherry Glied, Professor of Public Service
• John Gershman, Clinical Professor of Public Service, Director of International Specialization, Co-Director of Capstone Program

How to Apply

Ready to take the next step? Explore the application process for our MS in Public Policy program, including admissions criteria and deadlines. Submit your online application, including:

• Two essays (with an optional video essay)
• Your resume or curriculum vitae
• Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources
• Transcripts from colleges or universities
• Standardized test scores if applicable
• The $85 application fee Review any requirements specific to international applicants.

Admissions Criteria

We invite students from all majors and backgrounds to apply who demonstrate strong evidence of quantitative proficiency, especially in undergraduate-level statistics, economics, or calculus courses. The program is ideal for individuals with a passion for solving complex societal issues through policy analysis and data-driven solutions.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Find out detailed information about the cost of attendance, and access resources to finance your education—including federal loan programs and merit-based fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition is calculated on a per-credit basis. Your tuition costs are customized based on the total number of credits you enroll in each term.

• Per-credit tuition costs: $2,491
• Per-semester tuition costs:
  • 6 credits: $14,946
  • 9 credits: $22,419
  • 12 credits: $29,892

Estimated Annual Living Expenses

• Food: $6,676
• Housing: $24,414
• Books: $1,540
• Transportation: $2,366
• Personal Expenses: $3,084
• Student Basic Health Insurance: $4,644
• Estimated Total: $42,724

Federal Financial Aid and Student Loans

Most NYU Wagner students fund their studies through a variety of means—private or federal student loans, college work-study, or student employment. You can seek out supplementary funding by applying to external merit-based or need-based scholarship programs that award students pursuing a degree program in public service.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How useful is a Master's in Public Policy? A Master's in Public Policy equips students with the skills to analyze, design, and implement policies that address complex societal challenges. Graduates are prepared for impactful careers in government, nonprofits, international organizations, and consulting, making it a versatile and valuable degree.
• What is the difference between NYU Wagner's MPA Policy Specialization and the MSPP program? The MSPP program is a one-year, intensive, cohort-based program that is STEM-designated, with all students starting in late August and concluding the following August. The quantitative path in the Policy Specialization of the MPA program covers similar content but differs in duration, structure, and elective options.
• What kind of jobs can you get with an MSPP? Graduates with an MSPP can pursue roles such as policy analyst, consultant, public affairs specialist, government relations officer, researcher, and program manager in sectors like government, nonprofits, think tanks, and international organizations.
• How competitive is a graduate degree in public policy? Public policy is a competitive field, especially for top programs like NYU Wagner. Applicants with strong quantitative skills and a passion for solving societal challenges through policy tend to be the most competitive.