Program Overview

Overview

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is a graduate professional degree proposed by the Department of Political Science in the College of Arts & Sciences. In contrast to the existing Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, the MPP degree has a deeper focus on the development and effects of public policy, the use of quantitative analysis, the role of economic factors in public-decision making, resource allocation, and decision modeling.

Admission Requirements

• Completion of an application
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum includes:

• Required Core Courses:
  • POL 601: Budget and Financial Management and Administration (3 credits)
  • POL 610: Statistics for Politics and Public Administration (3 credits)
  • POL 622: Introduction to Graduate Public Administration (3 credits)
  • POL 634: Applied Policy Analysis (3 credits)
  • POL 637: Public Sector Economics (3 credits)
  • POL 646: Public Policy Process and Implementation (3 credits)
  • POL 660: Public Program Evaluation (3 credits)
  • Public Affairs Practicum or Public Service Internship (3 credits)
• Specialization Track (9 credits):
  • Public Management and Leadership Track:
    • Complete 9 credits from options including:
      • POL 625: Comparative Public Policy and Administration
      • COS 630: Conflict Management
      • POL 606: Organizational Dynamics and Management
      • POL 647: Human Resource Management in Public Service
      • POL 608: Equity and Diversity in Public Administration
      • POL 667: Collaborative Governance
      • POL 657: Ethical and Managerial Issues in Government, Business, and Non-Profit Organizations
      • POL 659: International Organizations
      • STC 623: Crisis Communication and Management
      • STC 620: Public Relations Fundamentals
  • Analytics Track:
    • Complete 9 credits from options including:
      • GEG 691: Geographic Information Systems I
      • GEG 693: Geographic Information Systems II
      • POL 616: Experiments in Political Science
      • POL 617: Introductory Statistical Methods in Political Science
      • POL 618: Advanced Statistical Methods in Political Science
      • POL 619: Introduction to Game Theory for Political Science (Cost Benefit Analysis and Public Policy)
      • SOC 613: Qualitative Research Methods
  • Foreign Policy and Security Track:
    • Complete 9 credits from options including:
      • POL 611: Security in the Arabian Peninsula
      • POL 630: Intelligence and National Security
      • POL 644: Chinese Foreign Policy
      • POL 677: Security in South Asia
      • POL 691: International Security
      • POL 693: International Relations of the Middle East
      • POL 694: European Security
      • IGS 645: Human Security: Prevention Mitigation
      • IGS 646: Civil Security Preparedness and Management
  • Health and Social Policy Track:
    • Complete 9 credits from options including:
      • ACC 670: Financial Reporting and Analysis
      • HMP 601: Essentials of Health Care Administration
      • HMP 655: Public Policy and Health
      • HMP 684: Analysis of Health Care Delivery and Policy
      • GHS 672: Global Health Policy and Ethics
      • POL 655: Public Policy and Health
      • POL 669: LGBTI Politics
      • POL 682: International Development Policy
  • Environmental and Sustainability Track:
    • Complete 9 credits from options including:
      • IGS 644: Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability
      • EVR 616: Ocean Policy
      • EVR 620: Environmental Law and Policy
      • EVR 720: Coastal Law and Policy
      • POL 631: Global Environment Politics
      • POL 645: Environmental Policy Making
      • POL 653: The Environmental Movement: Groups, Beliefs and Values
      • RSM 620: Climate and Society
  • Individualized Track:
    • Complete 9 credit hours with approval of faculty advisor
• Approved Elective (3 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 36

Sample Plan of Study

• Year One:
  • Fall:
    • POL 601: Budget and Financial Management and Administration (3 credits)
    • POL 622: Introduction to Graduate Public Administration (3 credits)
    • POL 637: Public Sector Economics (3 credits)
    • POL 660: Public Program Evaluation (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • POL 610: Statistics for Politics and Public Administration (3 credits)
    • POL 634: Applied Policy Analysis (3 credits)
    • POL 646: Public Policy Process and Implementation (3 credits)
    • Specialization Track Course (3 credits)
  • Summer:
    • Approved Elective (3 credits)
• Year Two:
  • Fall:
    • Specialization Track Course (3 credits)
    • Specialization Track Course (3 credits)
    • Public Affairs Practicum or Internship (3 credits)

Mission

The Masters of Public Policy (MPP) is a professional degree that provides students with core skills in economics, policy analysis, and ethics. The program seeks to build professional competencies in research, analysis, and evaluation of various public issues to enable formulation of effective policy solutions.

Goals

The MPP degree stresses the research, analysis, and evaluation of various public issues to develop effective policy solutions. The program emphasizes the evaluation and analysis of public policy, which requires students to have an understanding of implementation.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students should be able to demonstrate critical thinking and writing skills related to public policy, politics, ethics, and economic analysis by the time they graduate.
• Students will demonstrate quantitative analysis and oral communication skills.
• Students will demonstrate analytical competencies through an internship or applied capstone project.