The School of Public Policy offers six master’s degrees as well as a PhD in Public Policy. Nearly 800 students are enrolled in our master’s programs and 150 in our PhD program. With an average age of 31, our students are highly diverse and hail from 23 different states and 21 different countries.
Master of Public Policy
The MPP program produces astute policy professionals who will move rapidly into leadership positions in the policy world. The strong analytical approach of the program develops skills in problem solving and research methods, and ensures familiarity with economic concepts and applications. Ethical considerations in policy making are incorporated throughout the curriculum. The program has a robust international emphasis to ensure that graduates think comparatively and globally about policy processes and problems. Students obtain the grounding necessary to address a vast range of issues including national security, public finance and budgeting, regional economic development, urban policy, and terrorism and transnational crime.
Master’s in International Commerce and Policy (ICP)
ICP students have a high-level comprehension of the global political economy and international economic relations. Students are prepared for analytical and leadership roles in global marketing, corporate planning, public service, government relations and private entrepreneurship.
Unlike more traditional international affairs programs, the ICP program emphasizes international, political, and economic issues such as trade, investment, regional integration, governance, and development. It differs from traditional MBA programs by emphasizing the political, social and technological aspects of the global marketplace.
Master of Science in Organization Development and Knowledge Management (ODKM)
The ODKM program is designed to meet the needs of contemporary society and of organizations undergoing rapid changes and shifting from hierarchical structures to more group-based learning environments. By enabling students to understand many dimensions of change, students have the capability to evaluate, effect, and manage change in organizations. While focusing on the human and social aspects of organizing, the program also emphasizes the use of collaborative groupware technologies to support interactive learning, knowledge sharing, and knowledge creation.
Master of Science in Peace Operations
The Peace Operations program focuses on international interventions that aim to restore or maintain peace and stability in areas affected by conflict or natural disaster, with accompanying humanitarian catastrophe. Students tackle a wide range of issues, such as provision of humanitarian assistance; repatriation or resettlement of refugees and internally displaced persons; conducting elections and building democracy; establishing the rule of law; and demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration of ex-combatants. The curriculum provides students with advanced knowledge and practical skills for participating in the planning, implementation, and assessment of such operations, which are typically multi-government, inter-agency and culturally sensitive.
Master’s in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics (TPOL)
The TPOL program is designed for students and practicing professionals engaged in the planning, regulation, management and operation of transportation facilities and services. Students have a working knowledge of the theory, policy, law, research and practices required for effectively and efficiently supplying and operating transportation facilities and services. Students think critically and analytically about the problems and challenges in this field and communicate their analyses clearly and effectively.
Master of Science in Health and Medical Policy (HMP)
The HMP program prepares students for leadership roles in consulting, analysis and public health policy making both domestically and internationally. They contribute to informed policy formulation that affects health and medical professionals, international health systems development and economic growth. Students are prepared to compare international health systems, analyze data on health issues relevant to global policy making, and evaluate the impact of governance, security threats, and emerging technology on health and medical systems.
PhD program in Public Policy
Writing and research are the cornerstones of the Public Policy doctoral program. Students blend intense studies with in-depth research in a wide range of policy areas. The program produces highly knowledgeable graduates who hold top posts at major universities, research institutes, government agencies, international non-profits, and businesses.
Employment Profile
Graduates of the School of Public Policy are employed in a wide range of sectors as illustrated below:
Employers that hired recent graduates include:
The International Monetary Fund, Mathematica Policy Research, The Brookings Institute, The Urban Institute, The World Bank, Amex International, Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte Consulting, U.S. Department of State, Science Applications International Corporation, Montana Department of Transportation, Arizona State University, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Agency for International Development, and United Nations.