Master’s of Public Policy (MPP)
Program description
This top ranked MPP program equips students with the analytical tools needed to understand and address public policy issues (#9 in Urban Policy, #10 in Environmental Policy and Management, #13 in Public Affairs overall, and #17 in Public Policy Analysis according to U.S. News and World Report, 2024). Students also develop skills in managing the process of policy development, approval, implementation and evaluation.
At the conclusion of the master's degree program, students are prepared to apply sustainability principles and approaches to careers in a variety of fields that address environmental and, inevitably, human challenges.
To learn more, please register to attend a virtual information session.
Program Details
A Program of Study is the set of classes that is recognized by ASU, the Graduate College and the School of Public Affairs as sufficient to grant a degree. Programs of Study for the MPP total 42 hours of graduate credit and include core courses, concentration courses (if applicable) and approved electives. Students have six years from the term of their first class to complete the degree.
For details about the program's policies please review our
No more than 12 credit hours of graduate courses taken before admission to the school and can be included in the Program of Study. Students from institutions other than ASU may transfer a maximum of 12 credit hours to the MPP degree program, provided those classes were not used to satisfy requirements for another degree earned. All transfer credit must be approved by the MPP Director.
Required Core (27 credit hours)
- PAF 501 Public Service Research I (3)
- PAF 502 Public Service Research II (3)
- PAF 504 Microeconomics of Public Policy I (3)
- PAF 505 Public Policy Analysis (3)
- PAF 540 Advanced Policy Analysis (3)
- PAF 541 Program Evaluation (3)
- PAF 570 Microeconomics of Public Policy II (3)
- PAF 573 Applied Econometrics (3)
- PAF 574 Diversity, Ethics and Leading Public Change (3)
Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
- PAF 509 Public Policy Capstone (3)
Electives (12 credit hours)
Optional Concentrations
Students can choose to use their elective courses to obtain concentration as part of their MPP degree programs. All these programs are offered at our Downtown Phoenix Campus. Here is a list of degree options:
Cost
Use our tuition estimator for a personalized cost.
Program Fees: Every ASU graduate degree program has a “program fee” assessed for students in that program. These fees vary for each program—the higher the fee, the more competitive/highly ranked a degree program. These fees cannot be waived.
We also have some funding opportunities for students. Learn more about the Marvin Andrews and Jane Morris Fellowship in Urban Management, the nation's premier program in urban management leadership.
For Scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
Modes of Instruction
Classes for the MPP degree are taught in multiple modes:
- In-person: usually one evening per week
- iCourses (internet)
- Weekend-intensive format
Each semester, MPP courses are taught in one or more of these formats. The MPP degree is not an ASU Online degree. Please note not all MPP Required Courses are available in the iCourse format.
Admissions Requirements
Admitted students must demonstrate minimum competency in (1) statistics and (2) American Government. These competencies are demonstrated by having taken a basic statistics course and an American government-related course (earning a B or higher) any time in the past. These competencies do not need to be met to be admitted, but students admitted to the MPP program who have not satisfied one or both competencies will be required to complete a free online module once admitted to the program.