Letter from the Director

Welcome to the Master of Public Policy program's website. At Cal Poly our mission is to prepare future public policy leaders for the dynamic and complex world of the 21st century. International issues, such as poverty and terrorism, and domestic issues, such as education and health care, continue to present significant challenges to the public policy analyst. In our ever-shrinking, increasingly "globalized" world, students must be prepared to offer sound policy analyses on complex issues. The MPP degree from Cal Poly equips students with the tools necessary to have an impact on future policy decisions. Our faculty combine professional and academic experience to train graduate students in the practical skills of policy-oriented research.

Core courses in our program cover statistics, public policy, public finance, policy analysis, and applied quantitative and qualitative methodologies. One third of the required units are drawn from electives, allowing the student to customize their course of study according to specific areas of interest and expertise. Elective courses are offered by numerous departments, including city and regional planning, business, agribusiness, economics, education, forestry and natural resources, political science, psychology, sociology, and statistics.

Cal Poly is a great place to pursue graduate studies. Recently, Cal Poly ranked in the top ten Master's Programs in U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Colleges 2008. Cal Poly's "learn by doing" philosophy is an integral component of our program. Our accomplished faculty work in close relationships with students on real world problems and practical issues. Students also receive experiential training through field research and internship experiences. As a core aspect of the MPP program, the internship will provide students with valuable opportunities to further focus their career goals and enhance their understanding of policy analytic techniques. Cal Poly is located on the beautiful California central coast, halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento to the north and Los Angeles to the south. These urban centers provide numerous opportunities for professional internships.

Financial support for graduate students in our program may include scholarships, fellowships, and student loans available through Cal Poly and outside organizations. Please visit the MPP financial aid page for further information on these opportunities.

I invite you to contact us for further information.

Elizabeth Lowham, Ph.D.
Director, MPP Program
Assistant Professor of Political Science