Public Policy (Science and Technology Policy), MPP
Innovation Policy, Public Policy, Science & Technology Policy, Technology Management, Technology Policy, environmental policy
Are you passionate about understanding complex public problems and driven to develop and implement innovative policy solutions surrounding science and technology? Through coursework and hands-on projects, you'll gain the analytic skills required for addressing society's most challenging and pressing problems.
The Master of Public Policy program allows students to approach the study of public policy with a focus on public policy in the urban setting.
The program trains people to lead by making positive policy decisions; addressing the difficult questions associated with public policy; and managing the process of policy creation, approval, implementation and evaluation. Students also gain an understanding of policies addressing issues such as poverty, education, the environment and public safety. At the conclusion of the program, students are able to identify, analyze and interpret the challenges and dilemmas of public policies, especially those of urban areas. Students also are able to approach policy analysis with a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods, and they're prepared to develop innovative processes and tools to deal with changing realities of public policy and address issues on a global, regional and local scale.
The MPP program with a concentration in science and technology policy provides knowledge and skills for students seeking or advancing careers in areas in which science and technology are either guided by public policy or play an integral role in the policy process. This concentration emphasizes theories and research concerning the role of science in decision-making, complexity theory, institutional design of knowledge production organizations, national innovation systems, innovation and industrial policy, technology transfer and research evaluation.
- College/school:
Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
- Location: Downtown Phoenix, Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
42 credit hours including the required capstone course (PAF 509)
Required Core (27 credit hours) Concentration (6 credit hours) Restricted Electives (6 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
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)
HSD 501 Science and Technology Policy (3)
PAF 591 Topic: Innovation Policy and Management (3)
PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone (3)
Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- two letters of recommendation
- written statement
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Additional requirements for international students are at the international graduate admission website.
Applicants may also submit a resume or other documents.
The letters of recommendation should be from faculty or other academic staff who can evaluate the applicant's academic performance.
The written statement should be one to two pages and describe the applicant's educational and career goals. The written statement is also used as a sample of the applicant's writing abilities.
Students enrolling in MPP core courses must demonstrate minimum competency in statistics and American government, typically through the completion of an undergraduate social statistics course such as PAF 301 Applied Statistics and undergraduate coursework in American national government such as POS 310 American National Government. Completion of prerequisite courses is not a requirement for admission, but they must be completed within one semester after starting the program. Students may also satisfy the American national government competency by successfully completing a noncredit online course offered to incoming students by the School of Public Affairs.
Applicants should email spa@asu.edu if they have questions about the application process.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
Graduates with this degree are prepared to pursue a career in a field related to public administration or public policy. This may include opportunities as either a manager or policy analyst in a local, state or federal agency; nonprofit organization; or private organization that interfaces with public sectors.
The program can also serve as a platform for preparation for doctoral studies in public policy, public administration, urban studies and other related programs.
School of Public Affairs
|
UCENT 400
spa@asu.edu
602-496-0450
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.


