About the MPP

The Master’s Degree Program in Public Policy (MPP) is an interdisciplinary public policy program, designed for adult, part-time, college-educated students who are already working in related policy positions and for students who wish to prepare for careers in public service and public affairs. The program is aimed at developing analytical skills essential to understanding and improving public policy for persons engaged in a wide range of professional careers in the public, non-profit, and private sectors.

This interdisciplinary program offers students an opportunity to integrate research and learning in an innovative and open atmosphere that fosters links among higher education, the health care industry, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations. Contemporary political, social, and economic problems are interdisciplinary in nature, and an interdisciplinary approach is required to address those problems in a holistic way. Contemporary public leadership requires a broad understanding of and skill in policy analysis in order to design, implement, and evaluate effective new policies. Trained policy analysts who can address increasingly complex policy issues are in demand in the public and private sector. Hundreds of government units at the local, state, and national level employ specialized policy analysts. They assist elected and appointed officials of every nature in the process of governing. Their job titles vary but include positions such as program specialist, legislative or administrative assistant, policy analyst, research analyst, and research director, among others. In addition, literally thousands of interest groups, trade associations, and consulting firms operating in the private and non-profit sector employ individuals with the ability to analyze policy issues and engage in the political process.

The interdisciplinary nature of our administrative structure also makes it easier for faculty from diverse disciplines and programs to cooperate naturally with our Program. Interdisciplinary cooperation is second nature to our faculty and historically part of the educational culture at UM-Dearborn. The MPP Program is designed to complement existing graduate programs such as the M.P.A. program in the School of Education, the M.B.A. program in the School of Management and the M.S. in Psychology, the M.S. in Environmental Science, and the Master of Liberal Studies Degrees offered in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters. MPP students will be able to access relevant elective courses in other programs that fit their career needs that may be unavailable in the MPP.