Public Policy (M.P.P.)

https://carsey.unh.edu/master-public-policy

The Master in Public Policy degree (MPP) offers you the opportunity to learn the skills you need to succeed in today’s public policy jobs—analytical expertise, strategic vision, clear and compelling communications, and the tools of leadership. This master's in public policy program is ideal whether you will be completing your bachelor’s degree in the near future or are currently working in a policy-related field. Choose a track focused on public policy analysis or strategy and communications—and select from a broad range of electives to personalize your degree plan. Built into the unique curriculum are a variety of experiential learning opportunities to deepen and broaden what you learn in the classroom, such as:

  • Colloquium in Washington, DC: Immerse yourself in the Capitol scene – meeting with leaders in Congress, the White House, government agencies, political parties, advocacy groups, think tanks, and more
  • Policy Internship: Work in a policy-focused organization to gain practical, real-world experience and a valuable perspective on careers in public policy
  • Capstone Project: Employ the MPP skills you have gained to delve deeply into a specific policy area to produce a comprehensive written report and oral presentation 

Earn your MPP degree in as little as 16 months. You can also choose to earn your MPP degree over a longer period by attending part time. Note that the GRE is not required to apply for this degree program.

Program Delivery & Location:  Academic courses are offered in person on the UNH Durham campus with a portion of the experiential learning taking place offsite: in Washington, DC, for the Colloquium and at the Internship site location during the MPP Internship experience.

Degree Requirements

Students enrolled in the Carsey School's Master in Public Policy program (MPP degree) are required to complete a forty (40) credit program, consisting of:

  • Five (5) CORE Curriculum Courses   
  • Four (4) EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Activities
  • Two (2) PUBLIC POLICY TRACK Courses (Strategy and Communication Track or Policy Analysis Track)
  • Four (4) ELECTIVE Courses

These provide the foundational analytical, strategic, and communication skills for a successful career in the world of public policy making. Students focus their public policy studies by choosing either the Strategy and Communication Track or the Policy Analysis Track and complete two courses in one of the tracks. Courses in both tracks can also be taken as open electives. Further opportunities for depth and specialization in substantive policy areas are provided by open elective courses which vary by semester. As culminating graduate experiences, students apply what they've learned through an MPP internship at a policy-oriented organization as well as conducting a capstone project by delving deeply into a policy area of interest. Both of these experiences are provided with guidance from faculty mentors.

Students are advised to have taken an introductory level economics class prior to starting the MPP program such as a “principles of economics” (macro or micro). Students should consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor to confirm that the course(s) previously taken are sufficient or for suggestions of which courses could be taken prior to starting the MPP program.

MPP CORE Curriculum Courses (5 Courses)
PPOL 806Fundamentals of Policy Analysis3
PPOL 810Policy Across Borders3
PPOL 902Strategy and Practice of Public Policy3
PPOL 904Economics for Public Policy3
PPOL 908Quantitative Methods for Policy Research3
MPP EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Activities (4 Courses)
PPOL 950Washington DC Colloquium3
PPOL 990APolicy Capstone Planning1
PPOL 990Policy Capstone3
PPOL 998APolicy Internship 10
or PPOL 998 Policy Internship
PUBLIC POLICY TRACK (2 Courses) 2
Two (2) courses are selected based upon the chosen track: Strategy and Communication Track or Policy Analysis Track6
ELECTIVE Courses (4 Courses) 1, 3
Four (4) open elective courses are selected in substantive areas approved by the MPP program (or 3 open elective courses if the Policy Internship is taken for credit, PPOL 998) 112
Total Credits40
1

In special cases and with your Graduate Academic Advisor's permission, the Policy Internship may be taken for credit (PPOL 998, 3 credits), supervised by a faculty member who will provide the academic structure to parallel the applied experience. If this is the case, the required number of MPP-Approved elective courses is reduced to three (3) courses. 

2

Students choose two (2) courses from either the Strategy and Communication Track or the Policy Analysis Track. Courses in both tracks can also be taken as open elective courses.

3

MPP-Approved elective courses are available in many substantive areas. Students may also propose additional electives if they make sense in terms of the student’s interests and academic plan. Discussion with your Graduate Academic Advisor should inform this choice.

SAMPLE 16-MONTH FULL-TIME DEGREE COMPLETION PLAN

Fall Start (Typical)

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
PPOL 806 Fundamentals of Policy Analysis 3
PPOL 904 Economics for Public Policy 3
PPOL 908 Quantitative Methods for Policy Research 3
MPP Public Policy Track Course 2 3
 Credits12
January Term
PPOL 950 Washington DC Colloquium 3
 Credits3
Spring
PPOL 810 Policy Across Borders 3
PPOL 902 Strategy and Practice of Public Policy 3
PPOL 990A Policy Capstone Planning 1
MPP Public Policy Track Course 2 3
Elective Course (choose an MPP-Approved Elective Course) 2, 3 3
 Credits13
Summer
PPOL 998A
Policy Internship 1
or Policy Internship
0
 Credits0
Second Year
Fall
PPOL 990 Policy Capstone 3
Elective Course (choose an MPP-Approved Elective course) 2, 3 3
Elective Course (choose an MPP-Approved Elective course) 2, 3 3
Elective Course (choose an MPP-Approved Elective course) 2, 3 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits40

Spring Start

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
SpringCredits
PPOL 810 Policy Across Borders 3
PPOL 902 Strategy and Practice of Public Policy 3
MPP Public Policy Track Course 2 3
Elective Course (choose an MPP-Approved elective course) 2, 3 3
 Credits12
Summer
PPOL 998A
Policy Internship 1
or Policy Internship
0
 Credits0
Fall
PPOL 806 Fundamentals of Policy Analysis 3
PPOL 904 Economics for Public Policy 3
PPOL 908 Quantitative Methods for Policy Research 3
PPOL 990A Policy Capstone Planning 1
MPP Public Policy Track Course 2 3
 Credits13
January Term
PPOL 950 Washington DC Colloquium 3
 Credits3
Second Year
Spring
PPOL 990 Policy Capstone 3
Elective Course (choose an MPP-Approved elective course) 3 3
Elective Course (choose an MPP-Approved elective course) 3 3
Elective Course (choose an MPP-Approved elective course) 3 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits40
1

In special cases and with your Graduate Academic Advisor's permission, the Policy Internship may be taken for credit (PPOL 998, 3 credits), supervised by a faculty member who will provide the academic structure to parallel the applied experience. If this is the case, the required number of MPP-Approved elective courses is reduced to three (3) courses. 

2

Students choose two (2) courses from either the Strategy and Communication Track or the Policy Analysis Track. Courses in both tracks can also be taken as open elective courses.

3

MPP-Approved elective courses are available in many substantive areas. Students may also propose additional electives if they make sense in terms of the student’s interests and academic plan. Discussion with your Graduate Academic Advisor should inform this choice.

This graduate program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with certain undergraduate degree programs.

General Accelerated Master's policy, note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher grade expectations) compared to the policy.

Please see the Graduate School website and contact the department directly for more information.

The Master in Public Policy program (MPP) allows eligible undergraduate seniors to enroll in graduate level courses which can fulfill requirements for both their undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students can apply to the Accelerated Master's MPP program during their junior or senior year. Please review details on eligibility requirements for admission.

Eligible students who are admitted to the Accelerated Master's MPP program may complete up to 12 credits at the 800-level during their undergraduate senior year, earning credit toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Accelerated Master's students should always consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor for guidance.

The MPP program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis with the following undergraduate programs. The listed MPP courses have been approved for credit in these undergraduate programs:

Cybersecurity Policy Minor
Required Course for the Minor:
CPRM 810Foundations of Cybersecurity Policy (Fall/Spring)3
MPP/Minor approved electives:
PPOL 806Fundamentals of Policy Analysis (Fall)3
PPOL 810Policy Across Borders (Spring)3
PPOL 822Media Strategy and Skills (Spring)3
Global Studies Minor (Manchester)
MPP/Minor (Governance & Conflict pillar) approved electives:
PPOL 806Fundamentals of Policy Analysis (Fall)3
PPOL 810Policy Across Borders (Spring)3
PPOL 822Media Strategy and Skills (Spring)3
Global Studies Minor (Durham)
Approved elective:
PPOL 810Policy Across Borders (Spring)3
Political Science (B.A.)
Approved electives:
PPOL 806Fundamentals of Policy Analysis (Fall)3
PPOL 810Policy Across Borders (Spring)3
Public Service and Nonprofit Leadership (B.S.)
Approved electives:
PPOL 806Fundamentals of Policy Analysis (Fall)3
PPOL 810Policy Across Borders (Spring)3
PPOL 822Media Strategy and Skills (Spring)3
  • Apply basic methods of policy development and analysis to design and evaluate public policy
  • Demonstrate competency in public speaking and writing related to public policy
  • Demonstrate competency in strategic and tactical skills for achieving policy objectives
  • Utilize data and research to inform policy design and advocacy
  • Understand policy profession norms and ethics
  • Apply critical thinking skills to address policy-relevant questions