StudyQA — Master: Public Policy

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

The University of Utah Master of Public Policy program provides you with the skills and expertise needed to be successful in the public policy analysis field. You will sharpen your skills in analysis and deepen your knowledge base about the policy making process. You will learn to craft effective and practical solutions to real world policy challenges in a personal, attentive academic environment.

The MPP program seeks to balance economic and political approaches to policy analysis. With a solid foundation in theory, analysis, and evaluation and the ability to select from a range of interdisciplinary emphases, you will graduate from the program qualified to analyze and evaluate public policy in a variety of fields in the public, not for profit and private sectors.

Why choose The University of Utah for your MPP?

Do you want to make a difference? The University of Utah MPP program integrates the analytical, methodological, and management skills you need to construct effective and lasting solutions to public policy problems.
You can earn your graduate degree at your own pace. The MPP offers you the choice of attending full-time and completing the program in about two years, or attending part-time, and graduating in three to four years. You will build a foundation of analytical skills in the 10 core courses (31 credit hours) which include a series of quantitative courses. You can then develop expertise by taking three courses in a policy area of your choice (minimum 9 credit hours). The degree is a total of 40 semester credit hours.
You can deepen your understanding of the policy process, better analyze policy options, and rigorously evaluate the effects of public policy.The MPP program reflects the variety and interdisciplinary nature of public policy issues. With a solid foundation in theory, analysis, and evaluation, you will graduate with the skills needed to successfully analyze and evaluate public policy in a variety of fields.

Required Core Courses

(Complete 31 credit hours)

ECON 6300 - Public Finance: Public Expenditures and Cost-Benefit Analysis 3 Credit(s)
ECON 6380 - Law and Economics 3 Credit(s)
PADMN 6290 - Applied Quantitative Methods in Public Policy 3 Credit(s)
PADMN 6320 - Public Policy Theories and Applications 3 Credit(s)
PADMN 6323 - Policy Analysis 3 Credit(s)
PUBPL 6560 - Survey Research Methods 3 Credit(s)
PUBPL 6563 - Program and Policy Evaluation 3 Credit(s)
PUBPL 6900 - Public Policy Research 3 Credit(s)
STAT 6003 - Survey of Statistical Computer Packages 3 Credit(s)
PUBPL 6950 - Master of Public Policy Project/Capstone 3 Credit(s)
PUBPL 6960 - Independent Study-Public Policy 1 - 6 Credit(s)

Master's Project

Students must also complete a master’s project (capstone) that requires students to apply aspects of the MPP curriculum to the analysis of a specific public policy issue. The project is begun the final fall semester with the student’s capstone chair in a one credit independent study and completed during the final spring semester in the capstone course -

PUBPL 6960 - Independent Study-Public Policy 1 - 6 Credit(s)
PUBPL 6950 - Master of Public Policy Project/Capstone 3 Credit(s)

Policy-Related Emphasis Area Electives

Complete 9 credit hours in areas of specialization including Family and Social Welfare Policy (with an option to complete a graduate certificate in demography), Health Policy, Community Policy, Environmental Policy, International Context of Public Policy, Education Policy, Economic Policy, or Urban Affairs Policy (with an option to complete a graduate certificate through Urban Planning).

A bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university or from an institution recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education in their home country. The Office of International Admissions will determine if applicants with international degrees meet the Graduate School's requirement of a recognized bachelor's degree.
At least a 3.0 or higher undergraduate weighted mean GPA on a 4.0 scale. If the undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, a GPA will be calculated for the last two years attended if schooling was done at a foreign institution, and based upon the last 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) if the student attended a U.S. institution.
The TOEFL is required of students for whom English is a second language. We require a TOEFL pBT score of 583 on paper-based exam, 92-93 on the computer-based TOEFL iBT is required, or 7.0 on the IELTS.
Application must be made to The Graduate School and to the MPP program.
2-3 page statement of purpose, indicating the candidate’s interest in public policy and career objectives.
A professional resume.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
Graduate entrance exam scores (the GRE is preferred).
Three recommendations from individuals qualified to evaluate the applicant’s academic and/or professional potential. At least one recommendation should be from a current/former professor. The MPP Recommendation Form must be used.
Applicants are required to complete prerequisite coursework in applied statistics (sample courses at The University of Utah: FCS 3210, SOC 3112, ECON 3640, POLS 3001 and PSYCH 3000 - we cannot count 1000 level math classes for the statistics prerequisite), introductory microeconomics (sample course at The University of Utah: ECON 2010), and U.S. national government. The University of Utah course listings and descriptions are available in the Course Catalog. Prerequisites must be completed in the last 10 years with a grade of "C" or better from an accredited college or university. Please note: if you are accepted into a joint program (e.g. MPP/JD) some prerequisites may automatically be waived. Please consult the program manager for more information. In addition to the prerequisites, students are strongly encouraged to complete intermediate microeconomics before entering the program. Due to the rigorous analytic component of the MPP, it is assumed that applicants will have a strong quantitative background. Applicants lacking a solid background in economics and statistics are encouraged to strengthen their understanding of these areas prior to application.