Public Policy (Urban Policy), MPP
Communications, Management, Public Policy, Urban Management, Urban Policy, Urbanism, economics, ethics, law
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Ranked No. 6 in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report (Urban Policy), this MPP concentration allows you to learn to understand complex public problems and develop and implement innovative policy solutions. Through coursework and real-world projects, you gain the analytic skills required for addressing society's most challenging problems.
The MPP 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 that address issues such as poverty, education, the environment and public safety. At the conclusion of the master's degree 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 are 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 Master of Public Policy program with a concentration in urban policy provides students with knowledge and skills for seeking or advancing careers in areas in which urban dynamics and local governance play an integral role in the policy process. This concentration's program emphasizes theories and research concerning urban policy analysis and economics as well as urban management, urban city government, public budgeting and finance in an urban context.
- College/school:
Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
42 credit hours including the required capstone course (PAF 509)
Required Core (27 credit hours) Concentration (6 credit hours) Electives or Research (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)
PAF 506 Public Budgeting and Finance (3)
PAF 544 Urban Policy (3)
PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone (3)
Students choose two courses from ESS 510, PAF 534, PAF 571, PUP 525 or an internship as approved by the academic unit for the electives or research credits. Internship must be 584 course number.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related field. Related fields include social science disciplines, although the department may accept applicants with undergraduate degrees from all educational backgrounds provided they meet the minimum requirements for the degree program.
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.
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 following entry-level competencies are needed for admission to the program: 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. Students may also satisfy the American national government competency by receiving a passing exam score in American Government through the College-Level Examination Program.
Students can complete deficiency classes prior to admission to the program or within their first semester after admission. Courses taken to satisfy entry-level competencies cannot be used toward the completion of the Master of Public Policy degree.
Graduates 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 the public sector. The program can also serve as a platform for preparation for doctoral studies in public policy, public administration, urban studies and other related programs.
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3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
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. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. 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.
