Offered at: San Luis Obispo Campus
https://politicalscience.calpoly.edu/mpp
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree program is professionally oriented and open to students who wish to pursue analytic careers in government, nonprofit organizations, consulting, advocacy, and related policy occupations. The program is structured to prepare graduates with the competency and creativity to excel in careers in the ever-changing world of public policy. The core courses cover public policy, public policy analysis, economic and regulatory policy, research design, quantitative methods, and leadership. Policy internships and the graduate seminar round out the academic experience.
The MPP program is designed to meet the needs of those who have earned baccalaureate degrees in a variety of disciplines, including, but not limited to, economics, history, political science, social sciences, psychology, city and regional planning, business administration, education, environmental studies, and natural resource management.
Requirements for Admission
Students apply via Cal State Apply and must submita transcript, application letter, and two letters of recommendation.
International Students must meet all the standard eligibility criteria and demonstrate proficiency in English (English Proficiency Exam Requirements)
Prerequisites: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Application due date: A student can join the MPP program in the Fall or (contingent on space in the cohor) in the Spring. Please see Graduate Student Dates and Deadlines for application deadlines.
Advancement to Candidacy
The completion of at least 6 units of 5000 level MPP required coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Culminating Experience
Project: Students will complete a significant research, assessment, or applied project that evidences originality, independent thinking, appropriate organization, and a compelling rationale. Students will produce a written report that includes the project's significance, objectives, methodology/process, and a conclusion or recommendation.
The blended BA/MPP is an opportunity for students to receive a solid grounding in general political science, plus a professional oriented graduate degree in five years rather than the traditional six (four-year BA and two-year MPP).
Blended Options
BA Political Science + Master of Public Policy
Units Double Counted
10 units may be double counted.
-
4000-5000 level MPP elective can double count for an upper division free elective or, if it is a POLS course, can replace an upper division POLS elective. (3 units)
Requirements for Admission for the Blended Program
Students apply directly to the program and not through Cal State Apply; please contact the department graduate coordinator.
- Currently, the BA + MPP blended program is only open to those students majoring Political Science.
- Prerequisites: Students must have completed POLS 3351 (or, if POLS 3351 is not feasible, another policy relevant course such as POLS 4440, POLS 4455, or POLS 4451 with director approval)
- Minimum GPA: Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 with GPA of 3.5 in the Political Science major.
- Timeline for admission: Applications are due April 1st. Students should plan to take graduate level classes for at least two years, which means applying no later than a student's junior/3rd year. Students will then complete the graduate classes and their remaining undergraduate classes in years 4 (what would have been the last year of their undergraduate degree) and year 5.
- Application materials: Letter of application/cover letter, a letter of recommendation from a Political Science faculty member, and an informal transcript (screenshot of PolyProfile is sufficient).
Program Learning Objectives
- Think critically and creatively about public policy theory, analysis, and application including quantitative and qualitative analysis, argumentation, and the process and practice of research in general and as applied to a substantive policy area.
- Communicate ideas clearly, concisely, and effectively including the communication of evidence, analysis, and arguments via written, visual, and oral methods.
- Exhibit expertise in the field of public policy, including an appreciation of the connections between a particular substantive area and the social, political, economic, and technological context in which it exists.
- Work productively as individuals and in groups.
- Participate constructively in the process of creating, implementing and evaluating public policy.
- Recognize and reconcile diverse perspectives, and the tradeoffs they entail, in pursuit of the public interest.
- Utilize internship experiences and course knowledge to prepare them for dynamic and professional careers in the ever-changing field of public policy.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| REQUIRED COURSES | ||
| POLS 5510 | Research Design | 3 |
| POLS 5518 | Public Policy Analysis and Evaluation | 3 |
| POLS 5540 | Leadership and Management in Public Policy | 3 |
| POLS 5550 | Regulatory and Economic Policy | 3 |
| POLS 5560 | Quantitative Methods | 4 |
| POLS 5586 | Policy Internship | 3 |
| POLS 5598 | Project | 6 |
| Approved Electives | ||
| Select from the following: | 12 | |
| Select any 4000-5000 level ANT, CRP, ECON, GEOG, POLS, or SOC courses | ||
| Total Units | 37 | |