Public Policy

Core courses of the Master of Public Policy (MPP) develop a foundation of skills, knowledge, and concepts in economics, statistics, political analysis, ethics, and public management. All students receive serious quantitative training in data analysis and program evaluation, moving as a cohort through a carefully sequenced set of courses.

Students then have tremendous flexibility in choosing from advanced classes in social policy, international trade, education, national security, human rights, politics, and more. They combine their policy courses with electives from elsewhere around the U-M, including its outstanding professional schools—law, business, education, and urban planning, to name a few—or one of the top-ranked social science departments.

Students apply what they have learned in the classroom, gaining hands-on, practical policy experience. In the summer between their first and second year of study, they complete a policy-related internship. While not required, students are encouraged to take an Applied Policy Seminar course, enabling them to do real-world policy consulting with classmates under faculty supervision. Students may also choose to pursue a dual-degree, combining the MPP with simultaneous study in another graduate school program.

Students are generally in residence at the Ford School for two years (four semesters) and are also required to complete a 10-week internship in a policy-related position. The degree requires completion of 48 credit hours (most courses are three credit hours), with a total of 36 credits required within the Ford School. Additionally, the Rackham Cognate policy requires that students complete a minimum of four credits of graduate-level coursework outside their primary discipline.

All MPP students are required to complete the following core courses (26 credits):

• Politics of Public Policy (PubPol 510)
• Calculus (PubPol 513)
• Statistics (PubPol 529)
• Microeconomics A (PubPol 555) and Microeconomics B (PubPol 558)
• Values, Ethics, and Public Policy (PubPol 580)
• Public Management (PubPol 587)
• Integrated Policy Exercise (PubPol 638) – Must be completed twice or students are allowed to replace the second IPE with enrollment in a one-credit Project Skills Workshop (PubPol 778), which is offered both fall and winter semesters. 
• Quantitative Methods of Program Evaluation (PubPol 639) or  Applied Econometrics (PubPol 571)

Please note:

• Students with preparation in calculus, statistics, and/or microeconomics may waive PubPol 513, PubPol 529, and/or PubPol 555 respectively by passing waiver exams that are offered during orientation.
• If you are waived from a core course, you must complete an additional elective Ford School course. Waived courses are not counted toward the 48 credits required for the degree.

Five supporting documents are required for all applicants. Application materials must be received by January 15 for admissions consideration.

ONLINE APPLICATION

The University of Michigan strongly encourages all applicants to apply online. The master's application for the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy will be available through the Rackham Graduate School website by the second week of September. If you do not have Internet access or have extenuating circumstances, a paper application can be requested. 

PROGRAM SELECTION

Please indicate the degree for which you are applying and the appropriate number code on the application form. The Master of Public Policy (MPP) code is 00416 and the Master of Public Administration (MPA) code is 00413. Indicate whether you are applying for a combined degree or submitting multiple applications with another department.

FIVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED

1. Essays

The Academic Statement of Purpose should be a concise essay about your professional and academic goals (500 words). The admissions committee is interested in how this graduate program will help you meet your career and educational objectives. The academic statement is uploaded on page 12 of the application under the section titled Program-Specific Information. 

A Personal Statement is also required for all applicants (500 words). This statement is meant to convey how your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree. The personal statement is uploaded on page 13 of the application under the section titled Additional Information.

Both essays provide an opportunity for the applicant to convey to the Admissions Committee information that cannot be found in transcripts, letters of recommendation, test scores, or resumes. Essays should clearly explain the applicant’s reasons for wanting to pursue a Master in Public Policy or Public Administration, areas and questions of interest, and why the Ford School, in particular, is the best place to pursue these objectives. Applicants should be mindful that the statements are not only an opportunity to demonstrate their strong interest in public policy and public administration, but also to demonstrate their ability to communicate succinctly and clearly.

2. Test scores

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) aptitude test is required. Students applying for the joint JD/MPP (University of Michigan Law School and the Ford School) may submit the LSAT in place of the GRE. Students applying for the joint MBA/MPP (University of Michigan Business School and the Ford School) may submit the GMAT in the place of the GRE. Test(s) must be taken within five years of application and preferably no later than the December preceding admission. It is the applicant’s responsibility to have test results submitted to the University. (Note: When registering for the GRE or sending additional score reports, applicants should use the University of Michigan code #1839.)

3. Resume or curriculum vitae

A current resume or curriculum vitae must be submitted. Applicants who apply online should attach this under the section asking for a resume. Please do not confuse this with your statement of purpose, two separate documents must be submitted. The resume is uploaded on page 13 of the application under the section titled Additional Information.

4. Letters of recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required and should reflect the academic and, if relevant, job capabilities and experience of the applicant. We encourage applicants to submit letters of recommendation electronically— please see the online application for instructions. Hard copy letters of recommendation are also accepted and should be mailed directly to the Ford School of Public Policy.

5. Transcripts

Please submit an official transcript from your undergraduate degree-granting institution to the Rackham School of Graduate Studies (address below), an administrative body that oversees many graduate departments at the University of Michigan. Rackham will certify your transcripts.

Uploading a scanned version of your transcript with your online application is strongly recommended. You may also upload additional transcripts from any other institution you attended. Please note: A transcript from your degree-granting institution is required, and your application may not be reviewed if this transcript is not received by the deadline.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

English proficiency

Unless international applicants have completed a degree from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction, they must also submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). These results must be less than two years old. International applicants must obtain a satisfactory score on one of these tests, which are administered in numerous overseas areas. 

Affidavit of financial support

After being admitted to the University of Michigan, international students must provide an Affidavit of Financial Support in order to meet federal requirements that they have sufficient funds for graduate study in the U.S. Students will be contacted with further details by the Rackham graduate school upon admission to the university. Fellowships or financial aid supplied by the university can be included in calculations.

Scholarships

• Rackham International Student Fellowship