School of Public Service

Master of Science in Leadership and Policy Studies

The Master of Science in Leadership and Policy Studies (LPS) emphasizes field-based learning in public service to develop effective leaders in nonprofit and government professions. Students will develop public policy and leadership skills in the community through the School of Public Service curriculum—every course in the degree program integrates field study. LPS stresses ethics, problem-solving and research skills, and the ability to implement public policy. Electives give students the option of comparing policy issues in other cities and internationally in SPS one-week intensive courses.

Each year, three LPS students receive scholarship funding towards their studies in SPS. For more information about the scholarship and to apply, please visit: The Vincent DePaul Poverty and Policy Scholarship

Students complete a minimum of 52 credit hours of graduate credit. Each course carries four credit hours. Required core courses account for 44 credit hours and electives account for 8 credit hours.

Admisssion Requirements

  1. A completed online application
  2. Official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended 
  3. Two-page personal statement describing your educational and career goals, relevant work or volunteer experience, and any special circumstances affecting past or prospective academic performance
  4. Current resume or curriculum vitae
  5. Qualified candidates will be selected for an admission interview with the degree chair

Current students may visit Campus Connection for current course information. Prospective students may log on as a guest. Once on Campus Connection please select Course Descriptions followed by the department.

Printable Degree Audit

Required Courses (44 credit hours)
MPS 500 Introduction to Public Service Management
MPS 501 Cross Sector Analysis
MPS 541 Economic Foundations
MPS 542 Policy Design and Analysis
MPS 543 Policy Implementation
MPS 546 Advocacy and Public Policy
MPS 563 Law and Public Policy
MPS 586 Research Methods I, Introduction to Applied Research and Statistics
MPS 587 Research Methods II, Advanced Applied Research and Statistics
MPS 593 Integrative Seminar
MPS 594 Ethical Leadership in Public Service

Elective Courses (8 credit hours)
Students must choose one elective from each of the two elective groups below.
Group I:

MPS 572 Urban Poverty Seminar
OR
MPS 573 Urban and Community Analysis

Group II:

MPS 511 Sustainable Development and NGOs
OR
MPS 575 Seminar in Administration: The European Union and Brussels
OR
MPS 604 Special Topics: Comparative Field Study

Thesis Option
MPS 598 Thesis Research
(Students with a grade point average of 3.5 or above may choose the thesis option and replace MPS 593 with MPS 598)

 

For students who have taken a portion of the current curriculum sequence (502/570/580/590) we will honor your completed coursework and you will remain in this sequence. Click HERE to view your course audit.