Master of Public Policy and Administration Degree Program

The Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) is awarded for completion of a two-year, 48-credit degree program and a full-time summer internship. The MPPA core curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong analytical foundation, applicable to a wide variety of policy issues. Students can then choose to specialize in a variety of areas including sustainability, social policy, and technology and governance. MPPA students also have the opportunity to simultaneously earn a graduate certificate or pursue a dual degree.

Core Courses

Core courses are designed to provide students with a strong analytical foundation, applicable to a wide variety of policy issues. The MPPA degree requires the following eight core courses:

  • Politics and the Policy Process examines the influence of political factors on the initiation, formulation, and implementation of public policy. The goal of the course is to give students the background necessary to devise strategies to develop public policy. -or- Comparative Public Policy considers comparatively some of the experiences, accomplishments, and problems common to advanced industrial societies.
  • Public Management prepares students for managing public programs and organizations by exploring topics that include leadership, motivation, decision-making, ethics, and administrative structure.
  • Economics and Public Policy provides an introduction to microeconomic theory and analysis. The course examines economic rationales for and against government policy and the economic consequences of public policy.
  • Policy Methods provides an introduction to qualitative and quantitative methodologies for analyzing and evaluating public policy. Topics include research methods, participant observation, survey research and questionnaire construction, measurement theory and practice, and framing categories.
  • Introduction to Statistical Methods covers the use and interpretation of statistics in policy research. The course investigates such topics as probability theory, statistical methods, descriptive statistics, analysis of tabular data, correlation and regression, and multiple regression analysis. Students interested in acquiring additional methodological skills are encouraged to take advanced courses in qualitative and/or quantitative methods.
  • Public Policy Analysis applies economic, political, social, organizational, and other skills from previous core courses to actual and hypothetical policy issues. Students complete a client-based project as part of this course.
  • The Professional Development Seminar sharpens students' job-seeking and networking skills. In addition to sessions on writing resumes and cover letters; interviewing; and internships, students get opportunities to meet SPP alumni who are working in a variety of government departments and nonprofit organizations.
  • The Capstone in Public Policy and Administration synthesizes the major experiences, concepts, principles, and skills covered in the program. Working with a faculty advisor, they design their own Capstone projects in their area of interest. In some cases, this work focuses on policy research; sometimes students choose to work with real world clients.

Internship

MPPA students are required to complete an internship equivalent to 35 hours a week for 10 weeks. Students' interests will guide the internship placement process, and SPP staff help students establish internships through our alumni network and through our connections via the Five Colleges.

Electives

SPP program electives provide students with a deeper understanding of areas that affect professionals in the public and nonprofit sectors. In order to fulfill requirements for the MPPA, students are required to take three program electives, one from each of the following sections: policy, management and methods.

MPPA students also have the opportunity to simultaneously earn a graduate certificate or pursue a dual degree.

Admissions

Application for graduate study should by made directly through the Dean of the Graduate School, as described elsewhere in this Bulletin.

The School of Public Policy aims to recruit students of diverse backgrounds and perspectives who will contribute to the academic and public life of the program. The admissions committee, which typically consists of SPP's associate director and two SPP faculty members, reviews each student's application. Admission to the Master’s programs is for the fall semester only.

SPP’s Commonwealth Policy Fellowships offer substantial grants to students who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership potential. Our goal is to make the program financially accessible to all students, whether in state, out of state, or international. Students can also pursue other funding opportunities, including graduate assistantships across campus.

To apply for the MPPA program, students must submit:

  • Completed application form
  • Statement of purpose
  • Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • International students are also required to submit an official TOEFL score report

Priority Application Deadline: March 15; however, we will consider applications past that date.

Further information can be obtained by calling the departments office, tel. (413) 545-3940, or by visiting its website at www.umass.edu/spp/.