Master of Public Policy

The Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.), one of several public policy degrees, is a master's level professional degree that provides training in policy analysis and program evaluation at public policy schools. The MPP program places a focus on the systematic analysis of issues related to public policy and the decision processes associated with them. This includes training in the role of economic and political factors in public decision-making and policy formulation; microeconomic analysis of policy options and issues; resource allocation and decision modeling; cost/benefit analysis; statistical methods; and various applications to specific public policy topics.^[1] MPP recipients serve or have served in the public sector, at the international, national, subnational, and local levels.

MPP and MPA

Over time, the curriculum of Master of Public Policy and the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degrees have tended to overlap in many areas, due to the realization that policy analysis and program evaluation could benefit from an understanding of public administration, and vice versa.

Today, the core course offerings of many M.P.A. and M.P.P. programs are similar, with M.P.P. programs providing training in policy analysis, and M.P.A. programs providing coursework in program implementation. However, MPP programs still place more emphasis in policy analysis, research and evaluation, while MPA programs place more emphasis on implementation of public policies and the design of effective programs and projects to achieve public policy goals. Some universities have begun offering a combined M.P.P.A. degree, Master of Public Policy and Administration.

Interdisciplinary approach

Over the years MPP programs have become more interdisciplinary drawing from economics, sociology, anthropology, politics, and regional planning. In general a core curriculum of an MPP program includes courses on Microeconomics, Public Finance, Research Methods, Statistics and Advanced Data Analysis, Qualitative Research, Population Methods, Politics of Policy Process, Policy Analysis, Ethics, Public Management, Urban Policy & GIS, Program Evaluation, and more. All these courses are designed to equip MPP graduates with skills and knowledge in advanced economic analysis, political analysis, ethical analysis, data analysis, management and leadership. Depending on the interest, MPP students can concentrate in many policy areas including but not limited to urban policy, global policy, social policy, health policy, non-profit management, transportation, economic development, education, information technology, population research, etc.

See also

• Master of Public Affairs
• Master of Public Administration
• Master of Nonprofit Organizations
• Public policy schools
• Master of Business Administration
• Doctor of Public Administration

References

1. ^ National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2000): 44.0501 (1990 Crosswalk) Public Policy Analysis. US Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. (Accessed 20 May 2009)

External links

• (USA) National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
• (USA) Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
• GlobalMPA web portal Website for international students and programs outside the US
• "MPA/MPP Information for Prospective Students," a YouTube video produced by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs & Administration in Washington DC.
• Public Sector Job Site Nonprofit website for those seeking jobs in public sector
• MPA/MPP Student Website For prospective students interested in MPA/MPP Degree