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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MPP CORE Curriculum Courses (5 Courses) | ||
| PPOL 806 | Fundamentals of Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PPOL 810 | Policy Across Borders | 3 |
| PPOL 902 | Strategy and Practice of Public Policy | 3 |
| PPOL 904 | Economics for Public Policy | 3 |
| PPOL 908 | Quantitative Methods for Policy Research | 3 |
| MPP EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Activities (4 Courses) | ||
| PPOL 950 | Washington DC Colloquium | 3 |
| PPOL 990A | Policy Capstone Planning | 1 |
| PPOL 990 | Policy Capstone | 3 |
| PPOL 998A | Policy Internship 1 | 0 |
| 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 Track | 6 | |
| 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) 1 | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 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)
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| 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 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| January Term | ||
| PPOL 950 | Washington DC Colloquium | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| 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 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Summer | ||
| PPOL 998A or PPOL 998 | Policy Internship 1 or Policy Internship | 0 |
| Credits | 0 | |
| 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 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Spring Start
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credits | |
| 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 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| PPOL 998A or PPOL 998 | Policy Internship 1 or Policy Internship | 0 |
| Credits | 0 | |
| 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 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| January Term | ||
| PPOL 950 | Washington DC Colloquium | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| 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 | |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
- 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 Public Policy master's program (M.P.P.) 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 (four 3-credit courses) at the 800-level during their undergraduate senior year (unless otherwise indicated below). Credit earned counts toward both the undergraduate program and graduate degree.
The Public Policy (M.P.P.) is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the below undergraduate programs.
The graduate 800-level courses listed below have been approved to be completed in the undergraduate senior year and earn credit toward both the undergraduate programs listed below and the Public Policy (M.P.P.) degree program.
Accelerated Master's students should always consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor for course selection guidance.
College of Health and Human Services
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Management & Policy: Outdoor Leadership and Management Option (B.S.) | ||
| Recreation Management & Policy: Program and Event Management Option (B.S.) | ||
| Recreation Management & Policy: Therapeutic Recreation Option (B.S.) | ||
| Students may select up to four (4) 800-level courses (12 credits total) from the following: | ||
Community Development Policy and Practice (M.A.) courses: | ||
| Integrative Approaches to Development Policy and Practice | ||
| Economic Analysis for Development | ||
| Fiscal Management for Development Organizations | ||
| Organizational Management and Leadership | ||
Global Conflict & Human Security (M.S.) courses: | ||
| Conflict & Human Security | ||
| Global Governance | ||
| International Development & Human Security | ||
| Sustainable Development: Gender-Environment Nexus | ||
| Peace and Human Security in the Post-Atrocity State | ||
Public Administration (M.P.A.) courses: | ||
| Foundations and Theories of Public Administration | ||
| Grant-writing for Public and Non-profit Sectors | ||
| Organization and Management in Public and Non-profit Sectors | ||
| Leadership Theory and Practice | ||
| Non-Profit Management | ||
| Managing Conflict and Change in Nonprofit and Public Organizations | ||
| Strategic Communications for Public and Non-profit Sectors | ||
| Effective Change Management in Nonprofit and Public Organizations | ||
Public Policy (M.P.P.) courses: | ||
| Fundamentals of Policy Analysis | ||
| Policy Across Borders | ||
| Strategies for Policy Impact | ||
| Media Strategy and Skills | ||
| Advanced Special Topics | ||
Recreation Management and Policy (M.S.) courses: | ||
| Recreation Resource Management | ||
| Adaptive Sport Facilitation for Recreation Therapy and Related Professions | ||
| Research, Evaluation, and Data-Driven Decisions | ||
| Therapeutic Recreation Service Delivery in Community Settings | ||
| Theories and Philosophies of Youth Development | ||
| Law and Public Policy in Leisure Services | ||
| Human Dimensions of Natural Environments | ||
College of Liberal Arts
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropology (B.A.) | ||
| Students may select up to two (2) 800-level courses (6 credits total) to count as electives in the undergraduate program from the following: | ||
| Fundamentals of Policy Analysis | ||
| Policy Across Borders | ||
| Strategies for Policy Impact | ||
| Media Strategy and Skills | ||
| Advanced Special Topics | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Global Studies (Minor) | ||
| 800-level courses approved as electives in the undergraduate program: | ||
| Policy Across Borders | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science (B.A.) | ||
| 800-level courses approved as electives in the undergraduate program: | ||
| Fundamentals of Policy Analysis | ||
| Policy Across Borders | ||
College of Professional Studies - Manchester
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity Policy (Minor) | ||
| 800-level courses approved for the undergraduate program: | ||
| Foundations of Cybersecurity Policy (Minor Required Course) | ||
| Fundamentals of Policy Analysis (Minor Elective Course) | ||
| Policy Across Borders (Minor Elective Course) | ||
| Media Strategy and Skills (Minor Elective Course) | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Global Studies (Minor) | ||
| 800-level courses approved as electives in the undergraduate program: | ||
| Fundamentals of Policy Analysis (Minor Elective-Governance & Conflict pillar) | ||
| Policy Across Borders (Minor Elective-Governance & Conflict pillar) | ||
| Media Strategy and Skills (Minor Elective-Governance & Conflict pillar) | ||
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Public Service and Nonprofit Leadership (B.S.) | ||
| 800-level courses approved as electives in the undergraduate program: | ||
| Fundamentals of Policy Analysis | ||
| Policy Across Borders | ||
| Media Strategy and Skills | ||
College of Professional Studies - Online
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Technology | ||
Accounting and Finance (B.S.) | ||
Applied Studies: Management (B.S.) | ||
Business Management: Accounting Option (B.S.) | ||
Business Management: Economic Science Option (B.S.) | ||
Business Management: Emergency Management Strategy and Planning Option (B.S.) | ||
Business Management: Finance Option (B.S.) | ||
Business Management: Leadership, Change, and Social Responsibility Option (B.S.) | ||
Business Management: Management Option (B.S.) | ||
Business Management: Nonprofit Management Option (B.S.) | ||
Business Management: Organization and Business Administration Option (B.S.) | ||
Business Management: Project Management Option (B.S.) | ||
Fire Service Administration (B.S.) | ||
Human Resource Management (B.S.) | ||
Operations, Supply Chain, and Logistics Management (B.S.) | ||
Public Administration (B.S.) | ||
Technology Management (B.S.) | ||
| Health Care, Human Services, and Behavioral Science | ||
Applied Psychology: Emergency Management Strategy and Planning Option (B.S.) | ||
Criminal Justice (B.S.) | ||
| Liberal Arts, Communications, and General Education | ||
Individualized Studies: Management (B.S.) | ||
Professional Communication: Business and Strategic Communication Option (B.S.) | ||
Professional Communication: Interpersonal and Organizational Communication Option (B.S.) | ||
Professional Communication: Visual Communication and Social Media Option (B.S.) | ||
| The approved 800-level courses below will count as electives in the undergraduate program. | ||
| Students may select up to four (4) 800-level courses (12 credits total) from the following: | ||
Community Development Policy and Practice (M.A.) courses: | ||
| Integrative Approaches to Development Policy and Practice | ||
| Economic Analysis for Development | ||
| Fiscal Management for Development Organizations | ||
| Organizational Management and Leadership | ||
Global Conflict & Human Security (M.S.) courses: | ||
| Conflict & Human Security | ||
| Global Governance | ||
| International Development & Human Security | ||
| Sustainable Development: Gender-Environment Nexus | ||
| Peace and Human Security in the Post-Atrocity State | ||
Public Administration (M.P.A.) courses: | ||
| Foundations and Theories of Public Administration | ||
| Grant-writing for Public and Non-profit Sectors | ||
| Organization and Management in Public and Non-profit Sectors | ||
| Leadership Theory and Practice | ||
| Non-Profit Management | ||
| Managing Conflict and Change in Nonprofit and Public Organizations | ||
| Strategic Communications for Public and Non-profit Sectors | ||
| Effective Change Management in Nonprofit and Public Organizations | ||
Public Policy (M.P.P.) courses: | ||
| Fundamentals of Policy Analysis | ||
| Policy Across Borders | ||
| Strategies for Policy Impact | ||
| Media Strategy and Skills | ||
| Advanced Special Topics | ||
Program Learning Outcomes
- 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