Graduate programs in public policy

The MPP is available to current Stanford seniors and graduate students, Stanford alumni who have graduated within the past 5 years , and external applicants seeking a joint degree. The MA is available to current Stanford graduate students. The purpose of the master's program is to further develop knowledge and skills in public policy and to prepare students for a professional career or doctoral studies.

This is achieved through completion of courses, in the primary field as well as related areas, and experience with independent work and specialization. The MPP or MA degree is conferred upon candidates who have demonstrated substantial scholarship and the ability to conduct independent research and analysis in public policy. Through completion of advanced course work and rigorous skills training, the graduate program prepares students to make original contributions to the knowledge of public policy and to interpret and present the results of such research.

The grading policy for has been modified due to the global pandemic per the following: The Public Policy program counts all courses taken in academic year with a grade of 'CR' credit or 'S' satisfactory towards satisfaction of graduate degree requirements that otherwise require a letter grade.

While we understand the need for flexibility, we suggest Public Policy students take their courses for a letter grade whenever possible. Part-time students can complete all of their coursework online, choosing from one of four start dates annually. Public policy applicants must submit a policy-related writing sample. Northwestern is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Based in University Park, Penn State World Campus offers an online master of professional studies in criminal justice policy and administration.

Students take 18 credits of required courses, including criminal justice institutions, criminal procedure, and advanced statistics in criminal justice. They then complete nine elective credits, choosing from options like law and society, global policing, and the American legal process. Learners participate in a capstone experience during their final semester, working on a self-selected project in partnership with a faculty mentor.

Students may apply for one of two yearly start dates and must provide a writing sample. Located in Washington, D. The program caters to working adults in need of a flexible education.

Students take a total of 36 credits through eight-week terms, focusing on two courses per term. The curriculum includes classes such as an introduction to public administration and the policy process, legal issues in public administration, and organizational analysis. Participants take a policy practicum at the end of the program, performing a full public policy analysis for a client. Its public administration and policy program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.

Students can enroll on a full-time or part-time basis. The credit program features nine core courses, including strategy and leadership, economic tools for global policy, and a leadership capstone. Students choose 18 credits of electives, picking from options like an introduction to conflict resolution, security and development, and international development policy.

Applicants need seven or more years of professional experience or an advanced degree to qualify for the professional program. The credit curriculum includes three components: core courses, advanced electives, and an experiential component.

Core courses include public management, public management economics, and public finance and budgeting. Students then choose electives to focus their studies on areas like nonprofit management, policy analysis, or public budgeting. All students must also complete an internship, an independent research project, or receive credit for prior volunteer work or professional experience.

Students may apply for one of three start dates and can receive up to six hours of prior learning credit for work or military experience. IU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Based in Columbia, Mizzou offers an online master of public affairs through the Harry S. Truman School of Public Affairs. Students learn entirely online in eight-week sessions, focusing on just one class at a time.

The 30 credits of coursework includes core classes like public service and democracy, public processes and strategies, and an introduction to public and nonprofit management. Students choose electives in one of three focus areas: public management, nonprofit management, or public policy.

Learners without at least three years of work experience must also complete a capstone or internship experience. Mizzou is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The program teaches students the skills needed to pursue careers in public or nonprofit community organizations.

Students take courses such as policy analysis methods and approaches, public finance, ethics in public policy, and program evaluation in public policy. Participants complete a capstone project at the end of the program, as well as an internship to receive hands-on training in preparation for future careers. Students can waive the internship requirement if they already have public policy work experience.

Based in Corvallis, OSU offers an online master of public policy. The program helps early- and midcareer professionals complete their degrees by providing flexible online courses. Students take 62 quarter credits, including required core courses such as microeconomic theory, introduction to econometrics, public policy analysis, and understanding social research.

Students can also choose one of four concentrations: energy policy, environmental policy, rural policy, or social policy. By completing additional credits, students can add one of 15 graduate certificates to their concentration area, such as data analytics or water conflict management. Students take courses online through seven-week terms, allowing learners to concentrate on one or two courses per term.

The credit curriculum includes core courses such as public budgeting and finance, public personnel administration, and scope and methods. Students choose 15 credits of electives from courses such as public service ethics, formulation of public policy, and grant writing and public development.

Students also take a capstone experience designed to explore an aspect of public policy. Students can choose from four concentrations: criminal justice policy and administration, emergency management, human resources management, and management and operations. The credit program includes core courses, such as public administration, economic principles for public administration, public sector financial management, and policy analysis.

Students focus electives in their concentration area and take two research methods courses. A capstone seminar provides students with a final chance to demonstrate skills mastery and apply knowledge to a real-world problem. Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty is an evangelical Christian institution that offers an online master of arts in public policy.

The credit program includes core courses like economics and public policy, political philosophy, and foundations of American governance. Students choose from a general track or one of six concentrations, including international affairs, leadership, or policy studies.

Military veterans and service members receive tuition discounts, and students can enroll on one of eight start dates each year. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pitt offers an online master of public policy and management through its Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Students who complete two courses per semester and can finish in five semesters. The credit program includes four core courses: microeconomics, administration of public affairs, program evaluation, and a policy seminar.

Students also take elective courses, such as public policy analysis, financial management, and strategic management. Participants complete all courses online. Students need at least five years of work experience to apply to this program. Based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Regent offers an online master of arts in government - law and public policy. Students explore public policy through the lens of the Christian faith, learning about best practices in the field.

The credit curriculum includes core courses such as Christian foundations of government, public policy initiatives, and American political thought. Students also choose electives such as constitutional law and policy, cybersecurity policy and affairs, and healthcare policy and ethics.

Students with no work experience can engage in an internship or take an additional elective course to satisfy curriculum requirements. Students can complete the program in two years by taking two courses each term.

Enrollees first complete a graduate introduction to public administration course before moving on to other major courses, such as methods in public administration, public sector information technology management, and personal accountability in the public service. Students also participate in a capstone seminar and an internship in a public administration setting.

Students do not need previous work experience to apply for the program. Its public administration program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. For students interested in affecting public policy, a master's in public policy and public affairs is worth it. It is also good for students who want to pursue roles in government and management-level positions in the private and nonprofit sectors. A master's degree enables students to hone their area of interest, increasing skills specific to their career goals.

Graduates may increase potential earnings and career advancement since some employers only accept candidates with a master's degree. For example, political scientists typically must have a master's or doctorate for jobs, and most policy analysts hold a graduate degree.

An online master's in public policy and public affairs can lead to numerous career paths in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Graduates work for government agencies, community social service organizations, and corporations. Many graduates pursue roles as policy analysts. The Washington Program for first-year students, our regular Policy Dialogues , and our Policy Research Seminar for second-year students are but three examples.

Graduates of our program enter careers in governments at all levels, the private sector, and the non-profit sector. The loyalty and breadth of our alumni base provides an outstanding resource for current students as they pursue summer internships after their first year and as they seek employment after graduation.

Students in our MPP program learn at the highest levels and find excellent jobs after graduation without the high costs that students incur at other well-known programs on the East coast and across the nation. A variety of competitive and non-competitive financial support also is available.