Program Overview

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Introduction to the Master's in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) Program

The Master's in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) program at Northwestern University's School of Professional Studies is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to succeed in the field of public policy and administration. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of topics, including public policy, administration, and research methods.

Program Overview

The MPPA program requires the successful completion of 13 courses to obtain a degree. Students complete nine core courses, three elective courses corresponding to a chosen area of specialization, and a capstone class (498) or independent thesis (590). The program is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the principles and practices of public policy and administration, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to analyze and address complex policy issues.

Core Courses

The core courses in the MPPA program include:

• MPPA 401 Research Methods: This course provides students with a basic understanding of research design and qualitative and quantitative research methodologies frequently used in social science and policy research.
• MPPA 402 Elements of Public Finance and Budgeting: This course introduces students to the public budgetary process and to key budget theories, practices, and methodologies.
• MPPA 403 Fundamentals of Public Administration: This course introduces graduate students to the discipline and profession of public administration, focusing on techniques of traditional management anchored in a highly complex legal/political environment.
• MPPA 404 Microeconomics for Public Policy & Administration: This course is aimed at developing student understanding of microeconomic theory, especially as it concerns the relationship between the market economy and public policy.
• MPPA 405 Statistics for Research: This course introduces students to basic statistical concepts and methods that are relevant to public policy research and development.
• MPPA 406 Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis: This course presents a comprehensive overview of program evaluation and policy analysis methods that are important for policy researchers and administrators.
• MPPA 407 Scope and Theory of Public Policy: This course is an introduction to public policy concepts and the public policy process in the United States, focusing on developing an understanding of what civic decision making and public policy mean and how public policy is made.
• MPPA 408 Public Organization Theory and Management: This course focuses on organization theory and management as it applies primarily to public organizations, emphasizing the unique environment that public organizations face.
• MPPA 418 Ethics and Leadership: This course examines relevant theory and research regarding ethics and leadership in public organizations, providing an opportunity for students to develop a personal foundation for ethical leadership.

Specializations

The MPPA program offers several specializations, including:

Public Administration Specialization

This specialization prepares students to serve as managers on the local, state, and federal levels, and in the nongovernmental organization and nonprofit sectors. Graduates leave with an improved ability to deal with the complex challenges and concerns that face public administrators. Students choose three courses from the following:

• MPPA 411 The Legislative Process
• MPPA 413 Foundations of the Nonprofit/NGO Sector
• MPPA 417 Public Human Resources
• MPPA 420 Disaster Management and Theory
• MPPA 421 Administrative Law
• MPPA 430 Behavioral Economics
• MPPA 580 Global Policy Laboratory

Public Policy Specialization

Students in this specialization will be able to understand the factors in public decision-making and policy formulation by honing their analytical skills and increasing their theoretical and practical knowledge in the field. Graduates are able to evaluate competing demands and lead toward innovative and transformative public policy solutions. Students choose three courses from the following:

• MPPA 411 The Legislative Process
• MPPA 419 The Strategic Policy Environment
• MPPA 430 Behavioral Economics
• MPPA 432 Intergovernmental Relations
• MPPA 435 Regulatory Policy
• MPPA 438 Environmental and Climate Policy
• MPPA 490 Special Topics: Demography, Global Health and Policy
• MPPA 490 Special Topics: US Foreign Policy
• MPPA 421 Administrative Law
• MPPA 580 Global Policy Laboratory
• PH 449 Public Health Policy

Global Policy Specialization

This specialization introduces students to key issues addressed by global policy, such as development goals, the environment, financial regulation, nuclear proliferation, democratization, and state-building. Graduates build the tools, training, and knowledge necessary to lead policy development in an increasingly interdependent world while engaging various governments, private industries, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations. Students choose three courses from the following:

• MPPA 430 Behavioral Economics
• MPPA 438 Environmental and Climate Policy
• MPPA 440 International Institutions
• MPPA 450 Global Economic Policy
• MSGH 421 Globalization and Public Policy
• MPPA 490 Special Topics: Demography, Global Health and Policy
• MPPA 490 Special Topics: US Foreign Policy
• MPPA 580 Global Policy Laboratory

Global Health Specialization

This specialization is designed to enable students to make a meaningful difference in healthcare access and outcomes. Students will navigate the legal and regulatory aspects of health-related industries around the world and evaluate cultural and ethical considerations inherent in global health contexts. Students choose three courses from the following:

• MSGH 405 Foundations of Global Health
• MSGH 417 Global Health Systems
• MSGH 421 Globalization and Public Policy
• MSGH 427 Grant Writing and Fundraising
• MSGH 450 Global Health Initiatives
• MPPA 490 Special Topics: Demography, Global Health and Policy
• PH 490 Advanced Global Public Health

Data Analytics for Public Policy Specialization

The data analytics specialization is intended for students who will use data analytics and statistics to address policy issues. Policy analysts and researchers who can use sophisticated statistical and computational methods can add insight and value to public policy decision-making by using big data to improve public services in public health, transportation, and law enforcement, predict and avert famine and droughts, and improve city infrastructures. Students must take the core MPPA 405 Statistics for Research before beginning the specialization. Required course:

• MSDS 400 Math for Modelers

Students choose any two courses from the following:

• MSDS 410 Supervised Learning Methods
• MSDS 420 Database Systems
• MSDS 455 Data Visualization
• MSDS 460 Decision Analytics
• MSDS 476 Business Process Analytics

Final Project

Students may pursue their capstone experience independently or as part of a team. As their final course, students take either the individual research project in an independent study format or the classroom final project class in which students integrate the knowledge they have gained in the core curriculum in work assigned by the instructor. In both cases, students are guided by faculty in exploring the body of knowledge on public policy and administration while contributing research of practical value to the field. The capstone 590 thesis project and 498 capstone class count as one unit of credit each.

• MPPA 498 Capstone Project: The capstone project course is the culmination of the MPPA program and demonstrates to faculty a student's mastery of the curriculum and core competencies in the public policy and administration field.
• MPPA 590 Thesis Research: The 590 Thesis Research is an individual research project in an independent study format, written under the supervision of an approved faculty member and presenting an opportunity to research and explore a topic thoroughly.