PUBLIC POLICY (MPP)
Bridge policy with ethics-based problem solving
DePaul’s master’s in Public Policy (MPP) gives you the skills, experience and analytical tools to help shape governmental policies that influence our local, regional and national agendas. You’ll also learn how to advance policies that are beneficial to urban communities and to advocate for those who are marginalized or at risk.
Using an applied, hands-on approach, you’ll focus on
- Policy design, implementation and analysis
- Law and public policy
- Advocacy and lobbying
- Economic foundations in public service
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Flexible formats for any lifestyle
Courses are offered in the evening on the Loop Campus or online. The program can be completed in two years and one additional quarter (including one summer) by following a schedule of two classes per quarter.
Learn more about online classesCertificate options
Online Degree Option
The online Public Policy (MPP) from DePaul’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences offers small class sizes and is taught by the same award-winning faculty you'll find on campus. Tailored to meet the needs of your busy schedule, you'll achieve the same learning outcomes as in-person classes through collaborative and engaged learning.
Chicago: a hub of policy-making
A complex, urban environment is the ideal place to study public policy. It’s where you’ll see first-hand both problems and solutions to poverty, crime and homelessness. And it’s where you’ll learn how policy impacts economic development, housing, education and transportation. Here, you’ll get hands-on experience with professors, government agencies and nonprofit organizations that are at the forefront of addressing these national issues.
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Admission Requirements
Submit an online application, professional statement, résumé and official transcripts.
Required Courses
You’ll complete 10 core courses plus three electives.
95%
of Public Policy graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.
Study with industry-leading faculty
Learn from authorities on urban planning and public policy, like Professor Joseph Schwieterman. Schwieterman is a noted expert on the development of cities and transportation, he heads the Chaddick Institute, which advances principles of effective infrastructure, land use, zoning and transportation.
“As a public service professional who deals regularly with power dynamics among and between stakeholders, it is rare for a week to go by that I don’t reflect on the ethical compass that DePaul was so influential in honing for me.”
Suellen (MPP ’16)
Urban Communities & Partnerships, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Alumni Network
You’ll benefit from extensive networking opportunities with DePaul’s strong alumni network, including more than 3,460 School of Public Service alumni. Connect with fellow Master of Public Policy grads, who typically pursue careers in government, non-profit association management and within various nonprofit organizations.
Hear more from SPS Alumni
Scholarships & Aid
The School of Public Service offers several quarterly scholarship, graduate assistantship and fellowship opportunities. Learn more about the scholarships and opportunities available to you.
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the Public Policy (MPP) program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition, successful applicants must demonstrate, through past academic or professional work, a capacity for achievement.
Applicants
International Applicants
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Applicants
Current students may visit Campus Connect for current course information. Prospective students may log on as a guest. Once on Campus Connect please select Course Descriptions followed by the department.
Students complete a minimum of 52 credit hours of graduate credit. Each course carries four credit hours. Required core courses account for 44 credit hours and electives account for 8 credit hours.
Please note that the information provided is current as of March 2017 and is subject to change.
Learn more about Graduate Admission.
Degree Requirements
We offer the Public Policy MPP in two modalities: on-campus and fully online.
Degree requirements for each modality are unique. On-campus degree requirements are listed below, and online degree requirements are listed in the Academic? Catalog.
View online requirements in the Catalog
On-Campus Degree Requirements
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
Students complete a total of 13 courses (52 credit hours). Ten courses (40 credit hours) of core coursework and three courses (12 credit hours) of electives are required.
?Core Courses
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
MPS 500 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SERVICE MANAGEMENT | 4 |
MPS 533 | APPLIED STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE (USING EXCEL) | 4 |
or MPS 536 | APPLIED STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE (USING SPSS) | |
MPS 541 | ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC SERVICE | 4 |
MPS 542 | POLICY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS | 4 |
MPS 543 | POLICY IMPLEMENTATION | 4 |
MPS 546 | ADVOCACY AND LOBBYING | 4 |
MPS 563 | LAW AND PUBLIC POLICY | 4 |
MPS 583 | RESEARCH METHODS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE | 4 |
MPS 593 | INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR | 4 |
MPS 594 | ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC SERVICE | 4 |
Internship Capstone Option
Students may choose to replace MPS 593 with MPS 610 Internship Capstone option.
Elective Courses
Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
---|---|---|
Select three from the following: | 12 | |
MPS 511 |
SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | |
MPS 527 |
BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES FOR PUBLIC SERVICE | |
MPS 535 |
HEALTH CARE POLICY | |
MPS 552 |
GIS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | |
MPS 554 |
PRINCIPLES OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING | |
MPS 564 |
PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING | |
MPS 571 |
METROPOLITAN PLANNING | |
MPS 572 |
POVERTY, INEQUALITY AND PUBLIC POLICY | |
MPS 573 |
HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | |
MPS 575 |
STUDY ABROAD SEMINAR | |
MPS 576 |
ENERGY POLICY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | |
MPS 577 |
ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS AND MEDIATED SOLUTIONS | |
MPS 578 |
URBAN RESILIENCE AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION POLICY | |
MPS 579 |
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS | |
MPS 601 |
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNSHIP | |
MPS 604 |
SPECIAL TOPICS |
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