Master of Public Policy
Overview
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is an interdisciplinary degree program designed to provide students with an understanding of policy analysis as well as methods of generating new knowledge about specific policy areas. In all levels of government and on a global scale, public needs and limited resources require public policy choices that are at once economically efficient, socially and technically effective, and politically responsive. Such choices confront policymakers across a broad range of critical issues, including health, education, economic development, public finance, social policy, nonprofit policy, and disaster policy.
Many key decision-makers lack the knowledge and skills needed to interpret adequately the full social, political, economic, and technical dimensions of the policy issues they must consider. In response, state and local governments, business, and federal agencies have turned to trained policy analysts not only to weigh economic and political outcomes, but also to assess risk and to evaluate technical options. The same is true for nonprofit agencies, such as hospitals, schools, emergency preparedness and relief agencies, and regional planning organizations.
We expect that graduates of the MPP program typically work in positions of leadership in a wide array of governmental, public service, private sector, consulting, and nonprofit organizations. Metropolitan Atlanta serves as a laboratory for graduate students in their study of public policy. Students are encouraged to undertake field instruction and action research with public, private, and nonprofit agencies in the Atlanta area offering ample opportunities for applied learning experiences. Many such opportunities are available through the various research centers and community outreach efforts of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. These opportunities enhance the education students receive as well as often opening doors to attractive jobs.
The Curriculum
Georgia State’s MPP program includes a required core curriculum supplemented by elective coursework in one of several career tracks. Full–time students should be able to complete the degree within two years. The curriculum consists of 36 hours of graduate coursework, which must include 18 credit hours of required core courses, 3 hours in an internship, practicum, or thesis, and 15 hours of coursework in the concentration selected. We tailor our MPP program to take advantage of the many opportunities offered by our location. We do our best to be responsive to the needs of both full–time and part–time students. For the convenience of working students, all MPP classes are scheduled in the late afternoon and evening. Core courses are offered at least twice a year.
- MPP Degree Requirements
- What are the differences between an MPA and an MPP (Master's in Public Policy)?
Concentrations in the MPP Program
Each student completes coursework in one of the following concentrations:
• Disaster Policy*
• Health Policy*
• Nonprofit Policy
• Planning and Economic Development
• Public Finance Policy*
• Social Policy
*Note: Concentrations are pending Board of Regents approval in January 2009
Students also have an option to develop an individualized track in consultation with their MPP faculty adviser.
Life in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area
The Atlanta region offers a dynamic setting for students interested in a broad range of issues in public policy and public affairs. Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia State University’s campus is within easy walking distance of the State Capitol, City Hall, and many other governmental and nonprofit agencies. Like Georgia State University’s student body, ours in the MPP program is diverse and comes from many places, including other countries.
Internships and research opportunities
The Department of Public Management and Policy has an extensive internship program to assist students in finding applied work experiences with the many public, private, and nonprofit agencies in metro Atlanta. Often internships lead to full-time jobs for our MPP graduates. Other hands–on experiences are available through the many research centers and community outreach efforts of the Andrew Young School.
Internships typically last approximately three months and require one-half to full-time employment (20 to 40 hours per week), however flexible options are available for student who are currently working full-time. Internships may be paid or unpaid, an arrangement agreed to by the student and employer.
Students often find their own internships, while others work with the department's Director of Academic Programs & Alumni Affairs, internship coordinators, and/or their faculty advisor to find an appropriate internship opportunity. Supervision is provided by the internship coordinators and a faculty advisor that is chosen by the student. The school provides a number of search tools on the Internet for finding information about internship opportunities, as well as an E-mail list, which is used to alert students to internship opportunities.
For information about finding an internship, and resources that are available in this search, go to the PMAP Career Services internship information page.
Financial Assistance
Graduate research assistantships (GRAs) are available to interested full–time MPP students on a competitive basis. These GRA positions provide full tuition waivers and a stipend. Graduate assistants are assigned to faculty members and work on research and instructional projects. Often, they have an opportunity to work on research projects with issues and problems confronting city, county, and state policy makers.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate field or discipline.
Applicants to the MPP program are required to submit application forms, an application fee, two official transcripts from each institution of higher learning they have attended, scores on the GRE that they have taken within the past five years, three letters of recommendation, and a professional goals statement. International applicants may also be required to submit TOEFL scores and financial documentation. Online application and instructions are available.
Admission to the MPP program is very competitive. Normally an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher and a combined verbal and quantitative score of 1,000 or higher on the GRE are required for an application to be considered for admission. Grades in quantitative courses (statistics, mathematics, etc.) as well as scores on the quantitative portion of the GRE are also reviewed with greater significance given the quantitative focus of the MPP degree. Work experience and professional objectives may be weighed as part of this admission decision as well.
Applications are accepted for the fall and spring semesters; a file that is not complete at the deadline may be updated for consideration the following admissions term. The application deadline for the fall semester is April 1 and October 1 for the spring term.
Questions?
For additional information or application, contact the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies’ Office of Academic Assistance:
Office of Academic Assistance
Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA 30303-3083
Phone: 404-413-0021
Fax: 404-413-0023
E-mail the Office of Academic Assistance
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