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Master of Public Policy

University of Connecticut
Storrs , United States
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Degree
Masters
Major
Public Administration | Public Policy Studies
Area of study
Social Sciences
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

Master of Public Policy Program

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program at the University of Connecticut provides students with the analytic and quantitative skills necessary to design, analyze, and evaluate the success of policies. Courses are offered primarily in-person at the UConn Storrs and Hartford campuses, with select core and elective course sections online.


Program Overview

The MPP program is centered on the analysis of real-world problems, combining theory, quantitative methods, and practical applications. MPP students hail from all undergraduate fields, including economics, English, and history. They are taught by faculty who are experts in policy analysis and program evaluation research, with specific expertise in areas like education, health, environmental policy, budgeting, and finance.


Program Requirements

The 42-credit MPP program is organized around:


  • Core courses (24 credits)
  • Elective courses (12 credits)
  • A supervised internship (6 credits)

Core Courses

The UConn MPP program has 24 credits of core courses (eight classes). These courses are designed to provide students with the skills necessary to understand policy problems, evaluate institutional context, devise and assess alternatives, and implement change. The core courses cover three general areas of competency:


  1. Economic and Policy Analysis:
    • PP 5375: Economic Analysis for Public Policy and Management
    • PP 5342: Policy Analysis
    • PP 5347: Applied Policy Topics
  2. Methods of Analysis:
    • PP 5314: Causal Program Evaluation
    • PP 5331: Quantitative Methods for Public Policy
    • PP 5376: Applied Quantitative Methods
  3. Policy and Organization Environments:
    • PP 5340: Introduction to Public Policy and Management
    • PP 5345: Project Management

Electives

Students can choose to cluster their electives or select a range of electives that allow them to be a generalist. Some suggested clusters include:


  • Law and Public Policy:
    • PP 5304: Public Policy, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • PP 5363: Local Government Management and Leadership
    • PP 5329: Nonprofit Advocacy, Government Relations, and Law
    • Law 7600: Administrative Law
  • Leadership and Public Management:
    • PP 5363: Local Government Management and Leadership
    • PP 5349: Public Procurement and Contracting
    • PP 5318: Financial Management for Public Organizations
    • PP 5365: Human Resource Management
  • Nonprofit Management:
    • PP 5319: Program Development
    • PP 5328: Business Functions of Nonprofit Organizations
    • PP 5324: Grant Writing and Government Contracting
    • PP 5323: Leading and Governing Nonprofits
  • Public Financial Management:
    • PP 5373: Budgeting in Public Service Organizations
    • PP 5318: Financial Management for Public Organizations
    • PP 5317: Capital Finance and Budgeting
    • PP 5364: Public Finance and Budgeting
  • Public Policy, Diversity, and Inclusion:
    • PP 5303: Race and Policy
    • PP 5304: Public Policy, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • PP 5344: Social Policy
    • PP 5346: Child and Family Policy
  • Social Policy:
    • PP 5303: Race and Policy
    • PP 5344: Social Policy
    • PP 5346: Child and Family Policy
  • State and Local Government Management:
    • PP 5317: Capital Finance and Budgeting
    • PP 5325: Labor-Management Relations, Negotiation, and Contract Management
    • PP 5349: Public Procurement and Contracting
    • PP 5350: Urban and Regional Policy
  • Survey Research:
    • PP 5379: Principles and Methods I
    • PP 5383: Principles & Methods of Survey Research II
    • PP 5385: Attitude Formation
    • PP 5386: Survey Research Analysis & Reporting
  • Urban Planning:
    • PP 5348: Urban Planning Principles and Methods
    • PP 5363: Local Government Management and Leadership
    • PP 5317: Capital Finance and Budgeting
    • PP 5350: Urban and Regional Policy

Sample Course Sequences

Below is a model course of study for students pursuing full-time and part-time study in the UConn MPP program. Students can complete the requirements in two years of full-time study. Part-time students can move through the MPP program at a slower or faster pace than is outlined below.


Full-Time

  • Year 1 Fall:
    • PP 5340: Introduction to Public Policy and Management
    • PP 5375: Economic Analysis for Public Policy and Management
    • PP 5376: Applied Quantitative Methods
    • Elective
  • Year 1 Spring:
    • PP 5331: Quantitative Methods for Public Policy
    • PP 5342: Policy Analysis
    • Elective
    • Elective
  • Year 2 Fall:
    • PP 5347: Applied Policy Issues
    • PP 5345: Project Management in the Public Sector
    • Elective
    • Internship (begins in Fall)
  • Year 2 Spring:
    • PP 5314: Causal Program Evaluation
    • PP 5390: Supervised Internship (six credits)

Part-Time

  • Year 1 Fall:
    • PP 5340: Introduction to Public Policy & Management
    • PP 5375: Economic Analysis for Public Policy and Management
  • Year 1 Spring:
    • PP 5342: Policy Analysis
    • Elective
  • Year 2 Fall:
    • PP 5376: Applied Quantitative Methods
    • Elective
  • Year 2 Spring:
    • PP 5331: Quantitative Methods for Public Policy
    • Elective
  • Year 3 Fall:
    • PP 5347: Applied Policy Issues
    • PP 5345: Project Management
  • Year 3 Spring:
    • PP 5314: Causal Program Evaluation
    • Elective

Earn a Dual or Joint Degree

MPP students can choose to pursue a dual or joint degree if admitted to both programs. With this option, students are able to complete both degrees at an accelerated pace, saving both time and money.


Public Policy and Juris Doctor (Dual)

Offered in conjunction with the School of Law, the dual Juris Doctor J.D./Public Policy M.P.P. program provides students with advanced training in policy formation, policy analysis, data management, and advanced quantitative and statistical decision-making techniques.


Public Policy and Latino & Latin American Studies (Joint)

Offered in conjunction with El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies, this joint degree program prepares students with the functional skills and knowledge in public policy and at the same time engages them in interdisciplinary study and research related to the Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American world.


Public Policy and Quantitative Economics (Joint)

Offered in conjunction with the Department of Economics, a joint MPP and MS in quantitative economics (MSQE) provides students with an in-depth understanding of quantitative methods, economic principles, and analytic skills necessary to solve complicated economic problems.


Public Policy and Survey Research and Data Analysis

The School of Public Policy offers joint degree programs in public policy and survey research and data analysis, which prepare students with the functional skills and knowledge in public policy while at the same time engaging them in interdisciplinary study and research related to survey design, data collection, and data analysis techniques.


Admissions

Students apply to the UConn MPP program via the UConn Graduate School’s online application.


Application Deadlines

  • Fall: Priority decision: Feb. 15, Final Deadline: May 15
  • Spring: Final Deadline: Nov. 1
  • Fast Track: Rolling admissions

Frequently Asked Questions

General

  • What is a Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree?: The MPP program is centered on analysis of real-world problems and the policies and programs that address them.
  • What can I do with a MPP degree?: The MPP is appropriate for those seeking an analytical career that requires judging policies and programs, planning and evaluating alternatives, and implementing changes.
  • How long does it take to complete the MPP program?: The MPP curriculum can be completed in two years on a full-time basis; or in three years on a part-time basis, if the student is able to waive the internship requirement.

Academics

  • What is the MPP curriculum?: The program is built around core courses, electives, and an internship.
  • Is there an internship requirement?: Yes, the MPA and MPP program requires six internship credits.

Admissions

  • What is required to apply to the MPP program?: See the full list of application requirements.
  • How can I submit my GREs?: Beginning with the fall 2022 application cycle, the GRE is not required; however, the admissions committee will be looking for evidence that the applicant can successfully complete all necessary coursework.

Cost and Financial Aid

  • How much does the MPP cost?: Tuition and fee schedules for the MPP program can be found on the Office of the Bursar's page for graduate students.
  • Can I take a course as a non-degree student first? If so, how much does that cost?: Yes, you can take up to six credits with our school before applying to the MPP program. The cost of non-degree study for the School of Public Policy is $1,000 per credit, all-inclusive for tuition and fees.

Student Life

  • What extracurricular activities are available?: There are many opportunities for students to get involved in the UConn community outside the classroom.
  • What are my housing options?: Enrolled students live in and around Hartford or commute from further distances. There is no on-campus housing available.
  • What are my transportation options?: Most students at UConn’s Hartford campus travel by car or public transportation. The student parking lot is located in the Connecticut Convention Center Parking Garage.
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