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 public policy master's 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. You can choose a track focused on public policy analysis or strategy and communications—and select from a broad range of electives to personalize your degree. 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: You will be immersed in the capital scene – meeting with leaders in Congress, the White House, government agencies, political parties, advocacy groups, think tanks, and more.
• Policy Internship: You will work in a policy-focused organization to gain practical, real-world experience and a valuable perspective on careers in public policy.
• Capstone Project: You will employ the MPP skills you have gained to delve deeply into a specific policy area to produce a comprehensive written report and oral presentation. 

You can earn your MPP degree in as little as 14 months (or 12 months for UNH Accelerated Master's students). You can also choose to earn your MPP degree over a longer period by attending part time.

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

Accelerated Masters Eligible:  Yes

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 completing 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.

Notes:

16-MONTH FULL-TIME DEGREE COMPLETION PLAN (Typical)

14-MONTH FULL-TIME DEGREE COMPLETION PLAN

24-MONTH PART-TIME DEGREE COMPLETION PLAN

36-MONTH PART-TIME DEGREE COMPLETION PLAN

NOTES:

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of how public policy is developed and implemented in a political, institutional, and policy environment.
• Students will be able to analyze policy, formulate alternatives, and make evidence-based recommendations.
• Students will effectively communicate findings to various audiences within the policy-making industry (empirical researchers, scholars, and policy-makers) both verbally and in writing.
• Students will effectively utilize quantitative methods and quantitative data to analyze policy problems.
• Students will effectively formulating strategies that enable policy change.