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
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 | |
| SUSTAINABLE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | ||
| BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES FOR PUBLIC SERVICE | ||
| HEALTH CARE POLICY | ||
| GIS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | ||
| PRINCIPLES OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING | ||
| PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING | ||
| METROPOLITAN PLANNING | ||
| POVERTY, INEQUALITY AND PUBLIC POLICY | ||
| HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | ||
| STUDY ABROAD SEMINAR | ||
| ENERGY POLICY AND THE ENVIRONMENT | ||
| ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS AND MEDIATED SOLUTIONS | ||
| URBAN RESILIENCE AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION POLICY | ||
| SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS | ||
| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INTERNSHIP | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS | ||
