The residential, full-time MPP program provides rigorous training in economic, behavioral, and political analysis, including qualitative as well as quantitative analysis. MPP students must complete 8 courses during the academic year, including a required course on “Values Based Leadership.” Otherwise, the curriculum is flexible, allowing each student to design a course of study tailored to their professional needs. The mandatory summer program provides a common background in statistics, evidence-based policymaking and microeconomics.  

The program is appropriate for those who want to develop or refine their policy skills.

Applicants to the program must have seven or more years of relevant public service experience.

MPP candidates come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds including civil service, the diplomatic corps, the military, U.N. agencies, as well as health care, human services, human rights, humanitarian relief, international development, law, journalism, the arts, the environment, and national security.

Some MPP candidates choose to organize their course of study around one of the School’s certificate programs: Health and Health Policy (HHP); Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (STEP); or Urban Policy (UP).

The MPP program is a terminal degree designed for policy professionals. It should not be viewed as a steppingstone to a Ph.D. program.