Master of Public Policy
Whether you have just finished your undergraduate degree, a current public servant looking for professional development, or someone looking for a career change, a Master of Public Policy can help you further your capacity to serve your community at large!
Why pursue a Master of Public Policy?
Employers are increasingly searching for individuals with quantitative skills that can only be learned by earning a graduate degree in public policy. Government agencies, non-profits, public institutions, and the private sector are looking for employees that are equipped with the necessary policy analysis skills to help their organizations thrive.
As an MPP student, you will:
Become a strong proponent of public interest
The traditional boundaries between public, private, and non-profit sectors are becoming increasingly indistinct; public policy and private enterprise have assumed promising but sometimes troublesome new relationships. Despite this increased cooperation, policy remains a specific entity requiring particular knowledge and skills and the creators of future policy must understand the public policy and decision-making framework for proponents of the public interest.
Solve complex issues with policy analysis
The world faces increasingly complex policy problems, which places ever more formidable demands on leadership across all sectors; creators of policy must learn how to integrate the analytical knowledge from all sectors into their policy making decisions.
What does an MPP offer?
The Master of Public Policy at the University of Arizona offers a unique curriculum, flexible scheduling, faculty expertise, and career opportunities.
Our program combines curricular structure, physical facilities, and practical research examples to foster the data analysis skills needed to meet today's greater demands for accountability and effectiveness from organizations in both public and private sectors.
The MPP curriculum requires 14 classes (minimum 42 unit hours) divided among four components that can be completed in as little as 2 years: core, electives, an internship, and capstone project.
Our program offers most courses in the evening, Monday-Thursday from 5:30pm-8pm, allowing individuals to maintain their employment and earn their graduate degree.
Our faculty not only have impressive credentials but also lead research that is shaping the future of public policy. They each possess considerable expertise in a variety of policy areas and are experts in the areas of public management, policy analysis, environmental policy, and program evaluation.
The career pathways for MPP alumni expand across both the public and private sectors.
Examples include:
- Program Associate - Volcker Alliance
- Director - Animal Policy Group, LLC
- Research Project Manager - Tucson Unified School District
- Social Scientist - U.S. Forest Service
- Analyst - ILLUME Advising, LLC
- Political Consultant - AZ List
- Planner - City of Tucson
Not sure if an MPP is right for you? Find out the differences between our MPA and MPP programs here.
See our FAQ page as well for more information.
Program Mission Statement
The mission of our program is to prepare a diverse group of graduate students, including public and nonprofit professionals and pre-service students, to effectively manage, govern and lead as dedicated public servants working in local, state, and federal government and non-profit organizations. We equip our students with essential skills in analysis, communication, and management. Our faculty and curriculum model public service values such as civility, ethics, and accountability, and emphasizes leadership skills that include a commitment to diversity and social justice. We accomplish our program mission by advancing the knowledge of public policy and management through dedicated teaching, research, and public service.
