College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences > Academics > School of Public Service > Graduate Programs > Public Policy (MPP) > About the Program

About the Program

Degree Chair: Hugh Bartling, PhD​

Description:

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree challenges our students to think critically about current issues and analyze policies that shape government and international relations.

Mission:

The Master of Public Policy degree 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. The degree stresses ethics, problem solving and research skills, and the ability to implement public policy with compassion for marginalized communities and service to all people with accountability, justice, professionalism, sensitivity, and transparency.

Faculty Committee:

  • Hugh Bartling
  • Euan Hague
  • Ken Rose
  • Joseph Schwieterman
  • Amanda Kass
  • Danielle Vance-McMullen
  • Kelly Tzoumis​

52 credit hours are required to complete the program. The length of time caries according to student need. Some students pursuing the degree full-time (2 courses per quarter) finish in two years. Others take one course a quarter and complete their program requirements in three to four years. Students often switch between full and part time status throughout their academic careers at SPS, deoendent on their personal and professional duties.

In 2018, the most recent year in which graduation rates were reported to NASPAA, for the cohort of students that began their MPP degree five years earlier, 38 percent graduated in 2 years, 71 percent graduated in 3 years and 75 percent graduated in 4 years.

 

Total Number of Graduates — 13

  • National or central government in the same country as the program — 1

  • City, county, or other local government — 3

  • Nonprofit, domestic oriented — 1

  • Private sector - not research/consulting — 3

  • Unemployed (seeking employment) — 2

  • Unknown — 3

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