Professionals who are focused on public policy are always driven first and foremost to serve the interests of the general public. Most public policy professionals work in local, state and federal government, nonprofit organizations and international organizations.
People who graduate with a master’s degree in public policy (MPP) want to address many of the public policy challenges that confront our society, both in the US and around the world. Public policy professionals use quantitative analysis, finance, management and economics just as business professionals do, but they apply these skills to pressing social problems.
Why Get a Master’s in Public Policy
Many people who want to work in government or the nonprofit world, or already work there, wonder if they should get an MPP degree. If the following things sound like you, getting an MPP degree could be a good idea:
- You want to solve social problems: In the typical MPP degree program, you will be working on many different public policy issues, from problems with the health care system to urban education to the affordability of the mortgage interest deduction. These exercises will prepare you for working on very complex social problems and challenges in the real world.
- You want to boost your policy communication skills: One of the most important parts of earning an MPP degree is that you will learn how to communicate complex public policy matters into understandable English. You will learn how to read long academic papers about how a proposed policy change will affect society, and then be able to digest this data and explain it plainly so any voter can understand it.
- You are interested in a lot of things: If you are interested in politics, finance, economics, budgeting and taxes, you may enjoy getting your MPP and working in this world.
The Difference Between an MPA and MPP
You may be trying decide between an MPP and a master’s degree in public administration. They are similar degrees. The major difference is that MPA programs are more focused on management, executive leadership of government organizations and implementation. The MPP program usually stressed policy research and evaluation of various public policy options.
Earn MPP Online With No GRE
There are plenty of online MPP programs available and you do not need to ever visit the campus. This will let you earn your master’s degree while working a mostly normal work schedule. And, you often do not even need to take the GRE anymore to get into many of these quality, online programs.
Accreditation
If you want to get your MPP degree, it is good that the program has been accredited by the NASPAA – the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration.
If you are intrigued by a public policy career, you should consider one of the online MPP degrees below. For the best paying jobs and best career potential, a master’s degree is usually needed in addition to a bachelor’s degree:
#1 Liberty University
A Master of Arts in Public Policy from Liberty University will ready you for an exciting career in politics, economics, public administration and government. The courses in this two year program will ready you to serve as an expert in public policy.
You will learn the importance of applying ethics to government management practices, and will learn how to apply the principles of accounting, management and finance to the public sector. This program is a proven way to strengthen critical thinking abilities and to improve your understanding of critical matters that face our society today.
Liberty University allows you to specialize in these four areas, depending upon your career goals and personal interests:
- Middle East Affairs
- Public Administration
- International Affairs
- Campaign and Elections
General courses that all students must take are:
- Introduction to Writing, Research and Turabian
- Economics and Public Policy
- Political Philosophy
- Leadership, Statesmanship and Governance
- Foundations of American Governance
- Applied Public Policy Research Methods
More information:
- Campus: Lynchburg VA; online
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Tuition: $565 per credit hour
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Master of Public Policy
#2 Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University offers a Master of Arts in Public Management that is related to a public policy degree. It combines highly rigorous academics and strategic public policy skills so that students must use the latest theories and methods of management to solve real world public policy issues.
This is a two year program that will provide you will the most important public policy skills, including policy analysis, financial management, economics and fiscal policy. This is an innovative degree that understands that government and nonprofit sectors do share some common ground and goals.
The curriculum has been designed for working professionals who work in government and/or nonprofits. You can take the program either full or part time, and you must complete 12 courses in 2-5 years.
Your required courses in this accredited, fully online program are:
- Government and Politics
- Research and Thesis
- Money and Politics
- Data Visualization
- American Foreign Policy
- Graduate Writing Workshop
- Directed Research
- Introduction to Graduate Work in Government
- Climate Change and National Security
- Global Political Economy
- American National Security
More information:
- Campus: Baltimore MD; online
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission
- Tuition: $750 per credit hour
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Master of Arts in Public Management
#3 American Military University
American Military University offers a Master of Public Policy degree that will provide you with vital training in policy analysis and evaluation of public programs. It has a very strong focus on making ethical and sound decisions on the public policy realm. This master’s degree will provide you with the leadership skills that you need to do rigorous research and data analysis.
This is a two year, 100% online program that will ready you to solve real world problems at the local, state and national levels. The knowledge that you will gain will be very useful for professionals who want to attain senior level positions in government agencies, research institutes, corporations, and nonprofit groups.
Program courses will cover the following general topics:
- Governance and making policy
- Electronic service policies, digital government services
- Writing reports and presentations for the public and nonprofit sector
- Public policy initiatives, laws and regulations
- Formation of public policy and implementation/evaluation
- Domestic economic policy
More information:
- Campus: Charlestown WV; online
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $350 per credit hour
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Master of Public Policy
#4 New England College
At New England College, you can gain great insight and understanding into the political and policy system of the US by earning your Master of Arts in Public Policy. In under two years online, you will learn the ins and outs of politics and policy.
This program will provide policy professionals with the intellectual understanding, practical expertise and theory, combined with training in ethical leadership.
Although the entire program is online, this program strongly encourages interaction between professors and students. It is a 36 credit hour program that allows you to take two classes for each seven week term. You will gain stronger skills in verbal and written communication, leadership skills and thinking and analytical skills.
More information:
- Campus: Henniker NH; online
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Tuition: $360 per credit hour
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Master of Public Policy
#5 John Jay University
John Jay University’s College of Criminal Justice offers two MPA programs that are closely aligned with the public policy field. Both of them require 42 credit hours to graduate and both are fully accredited by the NASPAA.
One of the programs is a Master of Public Policy and Administration, and it will prepare you for a career in many public agencies across the country, whether it is for the federal, state or local government. You will learn how to study public policy and administration through applied research, community service and scholarly work.
The program strives to inspire all students to higher ideals of citizenship and public service, by providing them with the chance to gain professional and political knowledge and skills.
Your classes will include:
- Ethical and Legal Environment of Public Employment
- Public Sector Inspection and Oversight
- Public Sector Accounting and Auditing
- Ethical and Legal Environment of Public Employment
- Administrative Law and Regulation
- Security of Information and Technology
- Public Sector Inspection and Oversight
- Campus: New York NY; online
- Type: Non-Profit
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission
- Tuition: $410 per credit hour
- GRE/GMAT Required: No
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On Campus Requirements: No
- Programs Offered: Master of Public Policy and Administration
Earning a master’s degree in public policy is an excellent way for you to gain additional skills so that you can become a trusted public policy expert in your government organization or non profit organization.
