Master of Public Policy

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The Humphrey School’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree program is one of the best in the country, attracting students who are committed to public service at the local, state, national, and international levels. The mission of the Master of Public Policy program is to prepare professionals with specialized skills and knowledge to advance the common good in a range of public policy issues and in management of organizations in a diverse world.

The public service values animating the Humphrey School and the MPP program reflect the values of the School's namesake, Hubert Humphrey, and his commitment to democratic, responsive, and effective governance. We uphold NASPAA’s public service values, and give particular emphasis to these, which are reflected in our mission and embedded in the MPP curriculum:

  • Professionalism in public and nonprofit services;
  • Competency with specialized knowledge and skills;
  • Promotion of evidence-based policy discussion;
  • Democratic values in governance and participation;
  • Respect for different political and philosophical perspectives;
  • Ethics, social justice, and environmental well-being;
  • Equity, diversity, and inclusiveness;
  • Global awareness and intercultural competency.

The MPP degree brings together political science, economics, statistics, management, and other social science disciplines to shape policies and programs around the globe. The vast majority of our MPP students complete their graduate program in two years.

Students in the MPP degree program benefit from the Humphrey School's expertise in global policy, leadership and management, politics and governance, social policy and analysis, and urban and regional planning.

Did You Know?

If you are interested in multiple graduate degree programs, you can pursue a dual master’s degree option. This allows you to complete a Humphrey School degree and another University of Minnesota graduate or professional degree in less time (typically one year less) than it would take to complete the two degrees separately. For example, you can earn a dual Master of Public Policy and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Carlson School of Business. Learn more about dual degree opportunities.

View Master of Public Policy application requirements

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Class profile and career statistics

MPP Class Profile: 2023-24

  • Incoming Students: 71
  • Minnesota Residents: 64%
  • International Students: 10%
  • Gender: Female: 49%, Male: 51%  
  • Domestic Students of Color: 27%
  • Average Age: 27
  • Average GPA: 3.29
  • Average GRE Verbal Percentile: 71
  • Average GRE Quantitative Percentile: 44 
  • Percent of Class total: 40%

MPP Career Statistics: Class of 2022
35 graduated, 30 known reported (86%)

  • Known employed or continuing to further degree: 100%
  • Government employment: 43%
  • Nonprofit employment: 30%
  • Private sector employment: 24%
  • Continuing education: 3%

Prospective applicants: please note that all applications are reviewed holistically, and profile numbers should not be viewed as admission cutoffs. Please contact the Office of Admissions with any questions about candidacy.

Note: These numbers reflect the most recent data available; due to rounding, percentages may not always add up to 100 percent.

Curriculum

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) requires 45 semester credits, including at least 25 credits in core courses, a 3-course concentration (9 credits minimum), and a course to fulfill the professional paper requirement. The remaining credits are taken in elective courses. A 200-hour professional internship also is required unless you are exempted based on relevant previous employment.

The program is designed to be completed in two years. The majority of courses are taught in the classroom, although a few are offered either online or in a combined online/classroom format.

REQUIRED CORE COURSES (25 CREDITS)

Three or more credits from the following courses: 

Foundational Methods (10 credits)*:

SIX CREDITS FROM THE FOLLOWING COURSES CREDITS MUST INCLUDE:

ADDITIONAL METHODS COURSES TO BRING SUM TO 10 CREDITS:

*Note: Students can also complete the 10-credit Foundational Methods requirement by taking PA 5041 plus PA 5032 or PA 5046 (in addition to PA 5031 or PA 5045).
Check Course Info and the concentration planning lists
 because some concentrations require specific core courses.

PROFESSIONAL PAPER

Your professional paper applies the methods, approaches, and perspectives studied in the curriculum to a real-world policy or management problem. The resulting professional paper includes an analysis of the issues and policy recommendations or discussions of the implications of the analysis. You may complete the professional paper through one of the following options:

You are welcome to read some completed professional papers.

ELECTIVES (TO BRING TOTAL DEGREE CREDITS TO AT LEAST 45)

Program Planning Worksheet

The Program Planning Worksheet (PPW) helps current students plan their degrees from start to finish. Students must submit a completed and approved PPW before graduating.

Dual Degree Opportunities

By choosing a dual degree, you can complete a Humphrey School degree and another University of Minnesota graduate or professional degree in less time (typically one year less) than it would take to complete the two degrees separately.

We offer dual degrees with the University of Minnesota Law SchoolSchool of Social WorkSchool of Public Health, and Carlson School of Management

Concentrations: pre-designed

In addition to the required core courses, MPP students select a set of additional concentration courses and experiences that provide an integrated portfolio of professional preparation. View all MPP concentration planning forms.

Advanced Policy Analysis Methods
Gender & Public Policy
Global Public Policy
Politics & Governance
Public & Nonprofit Leadership & Management
Science, Technology, & Environmental Policy
Social Policy

Concentrations: self-designed

Students can deepen their professional interests by creating an interdisciplinary concentration that combines courses from two or more existing concentrations as well as courses from various departments across the University. Students provide a cohesive rationale for the several themes that tie coursework together into a coherent primary concentration.

Students pursuing this concentration should consult with their advisors and review the self-designed concentration form to understand the rationale and approval that is required for this concentration. The form also includes tips for choosing courses in a self-designed concentration.

Students are encouraged to investigate the many research centers at the Humphrey School and throughout the University to find a match for professional interests.