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.
Thanks to our interdisciplinary approach that integrates research and learning, our MPP graduates are uniquely prepared for working in the new public sector that spans governments, nonprofit organizations/NGOs, and private companies together developing and implementing public policy. In comparison with other professional graduate degrees such in as business and law, our MPP program offers:
- Broad training in subjects such economics, policy analysis, ethics, and decision making
- An excellent student/teacher ratio, allowing for a high level of interaction with the faculty
- Flexibility to take courses from other departments and schools on campus
- Significant financial aid available for qualified applicants
- Opportunities for substantial internships
Career Paths for MPP Graduates
Prospective students often focus on the types of jobs MPP graduates hold. Is there a typical career path? Not really. Graduates of our program pursue a wide variety of careers. Most people choose this degree because they are committed to public service and enjoy working on issues or problems that affect some sector of the public.
Some MPP graduates move back and forth between the public, private and nonprofit sector, or between an international setting and a domestic one. They can do this because the MPP degree provides a set of skills that is transferable across sectors and across issue areas. Some of the majors sectors our graduates work in are:
- Nonprofit
- Government (all levels)
- Environment
- Healthcare
- Education
- Homeland Security
- International
We have graduates working in the Michigan Department of the Environment, the staff of the Michigan State legislature, the Homeland Security Agency, the Department of U.S. Veteran’s Affairs, the New York State Department of Health, and a variety of advocacy organizations.