Comprised of a core curriculum, distribution requirements, areas of focus and electives, the two-year MPP is a professional degree program designed for students who wish to gain a thorough training in public policy skills and issues.
Students from Asia or the Middle East may be eligible for the Mikati Foundation Fellowship Program.
Core Courses
The core curriculum draws on a variety of disciplines and fields, including economics, sociology, political science, statistics, econometrics, political economy, organizational theory, and program evaluation. These areas provide a foundation in critical analysis, reflecting the School's belief that mastering quantitative and analytical skills prepares students to be effective public policy practitioners.
The required core courses are:
- Political Economy for Public Policy (PP30800)
- Statistical Methods for Policy Research I & II (PP31000 & PP31100 or PP31300 & PP31300)
- Political Institutions and the Policy Process (PP31600)
- Decisions & Organizations (PPHA 31920)
- Principles of Microeconomics and Public Policy I & II (PP32300 & PP32400)
Distribution Requirements
Distribution requirements provide students with a broad background in policy analysis, and are fulfilled by taking at least one course in three of the following five areas: economics, statistics and decision theory, political economy, political institutions, and management or organizational theory.
Areas of Focus
Many students focus their electives into an optional concentration of study comprised of topical courses at the Harris School as well as in departments and schools across campus. The concentration areas offered by the Harris School mainly reflect the areas in which faculty do research and are a way to choose a set of courses that provide depth in a substantive policy area. Students who do not select a concentration area are expected to select courses that make academic sense.
Electives
Electives allow students to explore special academic interests and fields, as well as to participate in internships and independent research complementing required coursework. Students may choose to focus on an area of public policy, register for courses in departments and schools across the University, and take advantage of opportunities for applying academic training to real-world problems. Electives offer students an opportunity to acquire training both in the theoretical and applied analysis of public policy issues, and to develop the skills necessary for a professional position in policy analysis.
A typical first-year schedule
Fall Winter Spring
PP30800 PP31100 (or PP31300) PP31920
PP31000 (or PP31200) PP31600 Elective
PP32300 PP32400 Elective
To complete the M.P.P. requirements, students in the two-year program must:
- Successfully complete 18 courses (six quarters of residency) with quality grades
- Take a minimum of twelve courses in the Harris School
- Earn at least a C- in all core courses and distributional requirements
- Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7 at the time of graduation
