Program Overview

Public Policy and Administration, MA

The Master's in Public Policy and Administration requires the successful completion of 13 courses to obtain a degree. Students complete ten core courses, including a capstone or thesis, and three elective courses. There are five specializations: Data Analytics, Global Health, Global Policy, Public Administration, and Public Policy. Current students should refer to curriculum requirements in place at time of entry into the program.

Curriculum

Core Courses (10 units)

• MPPA 401-DL/401-0: Research Methods
• MPPA 402-DL/402-0: Elements of Public Finance and Budgeting
• MPPA 403-DL/403-0: Fundamentals of Public Administration
• MPPA 404-DL/404-0: Microeconomics for Public Policy Administration
• MPPA 405-DL/405-0: Statistics for Research
• MPPA 406-DL/406-0: Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis
• MPPA 407-DL/407-0: Scope and Theory of Public Policy
• MPPA 408-DL/408-0: Public Organization Theory & Management
• MPPA 418-DL/418-0: Ethics and Leadership
• MPPA 498-DL/498-0: The Capstone Project or MPPA 590-DL: Thesis Research

Electives (3 units)

• MPPA 411-DL/411-0: The Legislative Process
• MPPA 413-DL/413-0: Foundations of the Nonprofit/NGO Sector
• MPPA 417-DL/417-0: Public Human Resources
• MPPA 419-DL/419-0: The Strategic Policy Environment
• MPPA 420-DL/420-0: Disaster Management and Theory
• MPPA 421-DL: Administrative Law
• MPPA 430-DL/430-0: Behavioral Economics
• MPPA 432-DL/432-0: Intergovernmental Relations
• MPPA 435-DL/435-0: Regulatory Policy
• MPPA 438-DL/438-0: Environmental and Climate Policy
• MPPA 440-DL/440-0: International Institutions
• MPPA 450-DL/450-0: Global Economic Policy
• MPPA 490-DL/490-0: Special Topics in Public Policy
• MPPA 580-DL: Global Policy Laboratory

About the 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.

• Choose one:
  • MPPA 498-DL/498-0: The Capstone Project
  • MPPA 590-DL: Thesis Research

Northwestern University

Northwestern University offers various programs through its different schools, including the School of Professional Studies, The Graduate School, and undergraduate programs.

School of Professional Studies

The School of Professional Studies offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including:

• Undergraduate Programs:
  • Biological Sciences
  • Communication Studies
  • Economics
  • English: Writing
  • Enterprise Leadership
  • Health Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Information Systems
  • Organization Behavior
  • Psychology
  • Social Sciences
  • Strategic Communication
• Graduate Programs:
  • Data Science
  • Global Health
  • Health Analytics
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Health Informatics
  • Information Design and Strategy
  • Information Systems
  • Liberal Studies
  • Literature
  • Prose and Poetry
  • Public Policy and Administration
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Sports Administration
  • Writing

The Graduate School

The Graduate School offers various programs, including:

• Academic Policies and Procedures
• Programs A-Z
• Courses A-Z
• Program Statistics

Undergraduate

Northwestern University offers undergraduate programs, including:

• Admission
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Payment
• Courses A-Z
• Programs A-Z
• Requirements and Policies
• Additional Baccalaureate Options
• Dual Graduate & Undergraduate Degrees
• Dual Bachelor's Degrees
• Study Outside Northwestern
• Undergraduate Research
• Special Programs & Courses

Schools and Colleges

Northwestern University has several schools and colleges, including:

• Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music
• School of Communication
• School of Education and Social Policy
• Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
• Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications
• Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Each school and college offers various programs and courses, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, and minors. The university also offers online and part-time programs for working professionals.