Public Policy

Public Policy at the University of California offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary curriculum designed to prepare students for impactful careers in government, non-profit organizations, advocacy, and private sector roles. The program emphasizes the development of analytical skills, policy analysis, ethical reasoning, and leadership capabilities necessary to address complex societal issues. Students engage in rigorous coursework covering topics such as economics, political science, public administration, and social justice, equipping them with a broad understanding of policy formation, implementation, and evaluation processes. Through hands-on experiences like internships, research projects, and policy simulations, participants gain practical skills and real-world insights to effectively navigate and influence policy environments. The program encourages critical thinking and ethical deliberation, fostering a nuanced understanding of diverse perspectives and the socio-economic factors shaping public policies. Dedicated faculty members, who are leaders in their fields, mentor students and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring a rich academic environment. Graduates of the Public Policy program are well-prepared to assume roles as policy analysts, public affairs specialists, community organizers, and governmental advisors, contributing to the development of equitable and effective policies. The program also promotes engagement with current policy debates, encouraging students to become informed and active participants in civic life. With a focus on leadership, innovation, and social impact, UC's Public Policy program aims to cultivate professionals capable of making meaningful contributions to society. Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, extensive alumni networks, and partnerships with governmental agencies and community organizations, providing valuable opportunities for career advancement and professional development. Whether pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, students in this program benefit from a flexible, research-informed approach tailored to prepare them for the evolving challenges of public policy in a dynamic world.

The MPP program consists of twelve required courses (46 units) which must be taken in sequenceas indicated on the Plan of Study.  The remaining nine courses (34 units) are electives.  Studentscan use electives to build analytic skills by taking courses such as Research Methods, AdvancedStatistics and Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Applied GIS, etc.  Students may also takecourses in related substantive areas.  Concentrations are optional.

Students enroll in PUB PLC 496 Internship during the quarter in which they complete their 400hours of fieldwork.

To complete the program students must complete a total of 80 graduate level units with aminimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

Electives / Areas of Concentration (34 units / 9 courses)

Traditionally, MPP students have taken courses in the following areas of concentration

• Education Policy
• Employment and Labor Policy
• Environmental and Natural Resource Policy
• Health Policy
• International Policy
• Nonprofit Policy
• Regional Development Policy
• Social Policy
• Transportation Policy

A minimum of three related courses are required for a concentration.  In consultation with theirfaculty advisor, students have the option of designing their own concentration from other coursesoffered within the Luskin School of Public Affairs or by other UCLA departments.

Please Note:  In creating a concentration/s students must meet the prerequisites of the proposedconcentration courses.  These courses must be graduate level courses offered at UCLA.  Mostgraduate courses are offered only once a year.  So it is critical to project the plan of study to makesure that students can complete the requirements within the proposed two-year time frame.

To be considered for degree requirements, electives must be graduate level courses and relevantto the public policy curriculum.  

• Urban Poverty

Requirements

The UCLA Graduate Division Online Application lets you complete your application for the program and upload most of the other supplemental required materials directly onto the site. The application consists of the application form and supporting documents, which must be submitted with a $105 (for U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents) or $125.00 (for all other applicants) application fee no later than January 10th for admission in the following fall.

You will be required to upload the following documents to the site:

• Transcripts from each college or university attended in the U.S. or abroad (If you are not a UCLA student or alumnus/a, one (1) official copy of yourbachelor’s degree-granting institution’s transcripts or equivalent will be required to be sent through regular mail. UCLA students and alumni do not need to provide official versions as they can be verified internally.)
• GRE Scores
• Statement of Purpose (A text box will be provided to fill in on the Online Application)
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Current Resume or CV
• Jr./Sr. Grade Point Average Worksheet (Available on the Online Application). See a sample worksheet
• Quantitative Training Form (Also available on the Online Application)
• Policy Interest Form (Also available on the Online Application)
• NOT REQUIRED: Writing Sample on the Online Application site (Please leave blank)

International students must also submit:

• English-language requirement scores, either TOEFL or IELTS. These reports should be less than 2 years old as of the MPP Application deadline. The admissions committee prefers a minimum score of 100-105 (TOEFL Internet-based test) or a 600 (TOEFL paper-based test). A minimum of 7 on the IETLS is required on the overall band score.

• NOT REQUIRED: Confidential Financial Statement — You will be asked to provide this AFTER you are admitted. Please DO NOT UPLOAD onto the application at this time.

Please mail only one copy of your official bachelor’s degree-granting institution’s transcripts or equivalent to: MPP Admissions

Scholarships

Unfortunately, UCLA has only a limited number of fellowships and assistantships for which non-U.S. graduate students are eligible. These are awarded to students who have demonstrated high academic achievement in their studies on this campus. International students are not eligible for support based solely on need. Therefore, international students are strongly advised to secure funds from their own sources.

The Department of Public Policy does provide funding to the top applicants. As UCLA is a state-funded university with limited merit-based fellowship funds, it is difficult for us to provide international students with full funding. If your application is ranked among the top of our applicants, we may award you partial funding. Unfortunately, if you are not able to find the balance of your funds from other sources, it is unlikely that you would be issued a visa. Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Student Research appointments are also available to students selected on the basis of scholastic achievement. Again, students who are awarded these positions are competitively evaluated. Please note these positions are not guaranteed.

It is best to plan to have additional funding well beyond the minimum currently required and to indicate this on the Confidential Financial Statement.

Although international students cannot qualify for US government financial aid, there are many funding opportunities available. The following links provide links to fellowship and financial aid resources for international students:

• eduPASS: A comprehensive resource of financial aid for international students.

• NAFSA: Association of International Educators has resources for International Students Seeking to Study in the United States, (Click on “For Students” in the upper right corner of the NAFSA home page.)
• Institute of International Education: IIE manages many scholarships and fellowships for both international students studying in the US and for US students studying overseas.

The estimated budget for entering international students to the Public Policy program for I-20 eligibility is $54,356. We advise applicants to pad it to at least $57,000 this year. Though these are the most updated figures, and they are subject to change at any time. This information will be updated once our department is notified of any changes, so please check back for the upcoming academic year, and make sure this minimum amount is stated on your CFS. The following is an explanation of the current breakdown.

If you have a sponsor who intends to provide monthly living expenses, that amount must be at least $2,247.33 per month (i.e., $2,247.33 multiplied by nine months equals $20,226.00) to cover the current estimate.

If you plan to bring your family, you should add the following costs: US $4,500.00 for your spouse, plus US $2,000.00 for each child. Health insurance is mandatory and is included in the above figure for tuition and fees.

It is best to plan to have additional funding well beyond the minimum currently required, so please be ready to provide documentation when requested from the Dashew Center for International Students if you are admitted.

Please note that you should not expect any financial support from UCLA unless you have been officially notified, in writing, of such an award by the department or by the Graduate Division. Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Student Researcher appointments, fellowships, and stipends, as well as tuition fellowships, are not guaranteed for the full academic year or for subsequent years of study, unless stated in writing.

It is extremely difficult for non-immigrant visa holders to find off-campus employment and to obtain permission for such employment. Spouses of F-1 visa holders, who hold F-2 visas, are not permitted to work under any circumstances.

At certain times of the year, you must have large sums of money available to cover payment of required expenses: Upon arrival, plan to spend US $13,000.00 — 15,000.00 on initial rental deposits, your first month’s living expenses and the first term’s tuition and fees. Tuition and fees for each term must be paid during the registration period prior to the beginning of the term, so you should plan your budget accordingly.

The University of California offers a comprehensive program in Public Policy designed to prepare students for effective leadership and decision-making in the public sector. This program provides an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines coursework in political science, economics, sociology, and public administration to equip students with the analytical skills needed to address complex societal issues. Students engage in rigorous research projects, policy analysis, and practical internships to gain hands-on experience in policymaking, implementation, and evaluation. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, ethical considerations, and effective communication, preparing graduates for careers in government agencies, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and private-sector consulting firms. The program also offers opportunities for specialization in areas such as environmental policy, health policy, urban planning, and international development. Students benefit from the university’s renowned faculty, extensive research centers, and a network of alumni engaged in public service worldwide. Additionally, the program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and offers cross-departmental courses and seminars to broaden understanding of global policy challenges. Upon completion, graduates are well-positioned to influence policy decisions, design innovative solutions, and contribute to positive societal change through leadership roles in public administration, policy analysis, and research. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, ensuring that students are prepared to meet the evolving needs of modern society and contribute meaningfully to policymaking processes at local, national, and international levels.