The Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) is a professional Master's degree that traditionally provided training in policy analysis and program evaluation at public policy schools. Over time, there has been a convergence between the Master of Public Policy and the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degrees, due to the realization that policy analysis and program evaluation could benefit from an understanding of public administration, and vice versa. Today, the course offerings of many M.P.A. and M.P.P. programs are similar, with M.P.A. programs providing training in policy analysis, and M.P.P. programs providing coursework in program implementation. Some universities have begun offering a combined M.P.P.A. degree, or Master of Public Policy and Administration. Professional Masters degrees are awarded by a university and require that a candidate already has been awarded a first degree, normally a bachelors degree to matriculate into the program. ... Policy analysis is the systematic evaluation of alternative means of achieving social goals. ... Program evaluation is essentially a set of philosophies and techniques to determine if a program works. It is a practice field that has emerged, particularly in the USA, as a disciplined way of assessing the merit, value, and worth of projects and programs. ... Public policy schools teach students policy analysis, public policy, public administration, and public affairs. ... The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) historically has been a professional Masters degree that provides training in public policy, project and program implementation—that is, public management. ... A policy is a plan of action to guide decisions and actions. ... It has been suggested that public management be merged into this article or section. ...

Over the years MPA/MPP programs have become more interdisciplinary drawing from economics, sociology, anthropology, politics, and regional planning. In general a core curriculum of an MPA/MPP program includes courses on Microeconomics, Public Finance, Research Methods, Statistics, Policy Process, Policy Analysis, Ethics, Public Management, Leadership, Urban Policy & GIS, Program Evaluation and etc. All these courses are designed to equip MPA/MPP graduates with skills and knowledge on economic analysis, political analysis, ethical analysis, data analysis, management and leadership. Depending on the interest, MPA/MPP students can concentrate in many policy and management areas including but not limited to urban planning, transportation, health care, economic development, community development, education, non-profits, information technology, and etc.

Admission

A typical MPP program seeks applicants from diverse academic, professional, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Most of the schools also do look for two or more years of professional experience after completion of the undergraduate degree. However some of them do admit limited number of outstanding students directly from undergraduate programs.

Characteristics of typical MPP students across schools are as following:

Undergraduate GPA not less than 3.5

Two and more years of professional experience

GRE Score - Verbal: around 600, Quantitative: around 700 & Analytical: around 5.0

TOEFL Score: more than 260

MPP programs require following application documents for admission:

Completed online or paper application form

Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended

Official GRE Score

Official TOEFL Score

Three Letters of Recommendation

Statement of Purpose

Resume

The required application documents are standard across many MPA/MPP schools.

Notable Individuals with MPP Degree

Juan Carlos Navarro, Mayor of Panama City Juan Carlos Navarro is the mayor of Panamas District. ...

Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director, UNICEF Ann Margaret Veneman (born June 29, United States 27th Secretary of Agriculture, and was a director of Calgene, the first company to market genetically-engineered food. ...

Anthony Williams, District of Columbia Mayor There are multiple well-known persons called Anthony Williams. ...

Robert Zoellick, Deputy Secretary of State Robert B. Zoellick Robert Bruce Zoellick (born July 25, 1953) is the current United States Deputy Secretary of State. ...

External links

• www.naspaa.org — National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration