Program Overview

Public Policy, Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.)

The Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) program is a non-thesis program that requires 48 credits. Most students take 4 courses per semester and complete the program in two years. However, students may choose to take 1-4 courses each semester and finish the degree in two-five years.

Program Structure

Between the first and second year, and/or during the academic year, most full-time students engage in internships in international, federal, state, or local government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private firms that are engaged in the policy process. These internships provide students with practical experiences, opportunities to further develop skills acquired during the first year, and contacts and relationships useful for future projects and job placement.

Admission Criteria

About 100 students from a wide variety of undergraduate schools and majors, from all parts of the country, and from around the world enter the program each fall. The mean undergraduate grade point average of entering students is 3.6, and GRE scores average in the low to mid 600s.

Course Requirements

The program includes the following required courses:

• PLCY630: Normative and Political Dimensions of Public Policy (3 credits)
• PLCY631: Governance: Leadership, Management, and Accountability (3 credits)
• PLCY680: Examining Social Identity and Pluralism in Public Policy (3 credits)
• PLCY610: Quantitative Aspects of Public Policy (3 credits)
• PLCY640: Microeconomic and Policy Analysis (3 credits)
• PLCY641: Macroeconomics and Policy Analysis (3 credits)
• PLCY670: Public Budgeting & Financial Management (3 credits)
• PLCY690: Policy Engagement Project (3 credits)
• PLCY790: Project Course (3 credits)

Specialization Requirements

Students must select one of the following specializations:

• Energy Policy
• Environmental Policy
• International Development Policy
• International Security and Economic Policy
• Management and Leadership
• Non-profit Management and Leadership
• Public Financial Management
• Social Policy
• Education Policy
• Health Policy

Each specialization requires 21 credits.

Total Credits

The total credits required for the program are 48.