Master of Public Policy

Public Policy

The policy decisions that government at all levels must make are becoming increasingly complex. Private non-profit and for-profit entities are also increasingly involved in complex policy issues. To respond effectively to these issues, organizations increasingly need staff that are trained in the politics and economics of public policy and in sophisticated methods of analysis, as well as being knowledgeable about the substantive issues at hand. The Masters in Public Policy (MPP) Program at the University of Northern Iowa is a professional, interdisciplinary degree designed to provide just such a combination of skills. The MPP is a 45 credit hour program. Normally, it requires two years of full time enrollment to complete. Students may also enroll on a part time basis. In addition to offering the Masters program, the Graduate Program in Public Policy provides both students and faculty from various departments of the University with a forum for the discussion and advancement of public policy research, and for activities in the discipline and profession nationally. Courses in the MPP program assume a student has taken basic undergraduate courses in economics (preferably macro and micro,) in statistical methods, and in the structure of U.S. government. If a student needs to take classes in these areas, it is wise to do so before beginning the program. They can be completed while enrolled in the program, but they count for undergraduate credits.