The Master of Public Policy degree program (MPP) is open to students who wish to pursue analytic careers in government and non-profit agencies or in businesses subject to government regulations. The MPP program is structured to prepare graduates to work as analysts and as program managers.
Core courses in the MPP program cover statistics, public policy, public policy analysis, quantitative methods, public finance, policy internship, and the graduate research seminar. This is a two-year program for students taking 8 or more units per term. The program consists of 55 approved units (not including courses necessary to compensate for deficiencies). The degree culminates with a two-term seminar (POLS 590) focused on analytical projects where students will develop, present, and discuss group reports and individual research. Students are encouraged to develop a unique concentration of electives related to their interests,and may pursue joint graduate degree programs.
As you begin your tour of our MPP informational website, we invite you to read a welcome letter from Dr. Elizabeth Lowham, Director of the MPP program at the Letter from the Director page. You will find a discussion of opportunities that are available within this growing field at the About MPP page and we encourage you to peruse application requirements, deadlines, and information regarding financial aid opportunities at the Admissions page and Financial Aid page. MPP coursework is described on the MPP Curriculum page. At Cal Poly, we consider internships to be integral to the Master of Public Policy degree; a discussion of this program component can be found at the Internships page. And, the MPP Faculty page will provide you with a glimpse of the core professors that will guide MPP students through the program.
Updated Policy electives for MPP students.