MPPM in Public Policy & Management

A total of 39 credits are required to earn the master's degree in Public Policy and Management. A core curriculum of 18 credits assures an understanding of basic principles of political science, management and organizations, economics, public finance, and the use of microcomputers and statistics. The core provides a foundation of knowledge and skills for effective performance in public policy and management.

Following the core courses, students elect one of two tracks of study: policy analysis and planning or public management. Each track requires a combination of required and elective courses totaling 12 credits, including a field experience and a Capstone Project.

Students who specialize in policy analysis examine the role of analysis in public policy making, and are taught the methods typically employed by analysts. The curriculum provides students with numerous opportunities to apply developing skills to real decision-making situations.

The track in public management allows the student to focus on either organizational or financial aspects of public management. Organizational management provides the student a greater understanding of how organizations and people work in the public sector, and the skills to improve the management of public and nonprofit organizations. Financial management builds skills in accounting, economics, and the financial management of public agencies and governments. Special attention is offered to the financial management problems confronting local governments.

After the core and track courses, students have an additional six credits of electives to be used in any manner. Typically, a student will either take an additional course in a track, or courses toward a certificate of graduate study.

Core Curriculum

18 credits:

• PPM 601 Applied Statistics for Public Policy and Management
• PPM 602 Research Design
• PPM 610 Foundations of Public Policy & Management
• PPM 611 Economics and Public Policy
• PPM 615 Foundations for Public Service & Management
• PPM 640 Public Finance and Budgeting

Tracks of Study

After completion of the core courses, students select a 12-credit track of study in either policy analysis or public management. The tracks are designed to provide more depth of knowledge in one of the two primary curriculum areas. Each track requires one or two courses, with the additional six or nine credits selected from a range of designated courses which may change over time as student interests and program initiatives vary.

• Policy Analysis Track
• Public Management Track
  • Organizational Management
  • Financial Management

Policy Analysis Track

Required course:

• PPM 620 Introduction to Policy Analysis
• PPM 622 Applied Policy Analysis

Select 3 credits:

• PPM 503/603 Applied Research Methods Modules
• PPM 604 Evaluation Methods
• PPM 606 Survey Methods and Design

Select an additional 3 credits from the following list:

• CPD 622 Introduction to Arc/GIS
• PPM 511 Economic and Business Data and Methodology
• PPM 513 Law and Public Policy
• PPM 519 Communication for Public Managers
• PPM 521 Social Justice Theory and Policy Analysis
• PPM 524 Gender, Race, and Public Policy
• PPM 526 Public Policy and Children
• PPM 551 Public Policy Dispute Resolution
• PPM 503/603 Applied Research Methods Modules
• PPM 604 Evaluation Methods
• PPM 605 Advanced Research Methods
• PPM 606 Survey Methods and Design
• PPM 622 Applied Policy Analysis
• PPM 623 Risk and Public Policy
• PPM 633 Strategic Planning in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
• PPM 642 Seminar in Public Finance and Budgeting
• PPM 650 State and Regional Economic Development
• PPM 666 Environmental Policy

Public Management Track

In the Public Management Track, students are given the opportunity to focus on organizational management or public financial management.

Organizational Management

Required course:

• PPM 630 Organizational Dynamics

Select an additional 6 credits:

• PPM 513 Law and Public Policy
• PPM 604 Evaluation Methods
• PPM 632 Human Resource Management in Public, Nonprofit, and Health Organizations
• PPM 633 Strategic Planning in the Public and Nonprofit Sector
• PPM 636 Management Information Systems in the Public, Health, and Nonprofit Sectors
• PPM 641 Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations

Select an additional 3 credits:

• PPM 519 Communication Skills for Public Managers
• PPM 521 Social Justice Theory and Policy Analysis
• PPM 531 Measuring Performance in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
• PPM 535 Managing in the Nonprofit Sector
• PPM 545 Grant Writing and Financial Management in the Nonprofit Organization
• PPM 553 Volunteer Engagement and Management
• PPM 622 Applied Policy Analysis
• PPM 637 Intergovernmental Relations
• PPM 639 Topics in Public Policy and Management
• PPM 642 Seminar in Public Finance and Budgeting

Financial Management

Required course:

• PPM 640 Public Budgeting and Finance

Select an additional 12 credits:

• LAW 616 State and Local Government
• PPM 503/603 Applied Research Methods Module
• PPM 513 Law and Public Policy
• PPM 531 Measuring Performance in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
• PPM 545 Grant Writing and Financial Management in the Nonprofit Organization
• PPM 630 Organizational Dynamics
• PPM 633 Strategic Planning in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
• PPM 634 Managing the American City
• PPM 641 Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
• PPM 642 Seminar in Public Finance and Budgeting
• PPM 650 State and Regional Economic Development
• CPD 652 Introduction to Community Development
• MPH 640 Health Care Finance I
• MPH 645 Health Care Finance II

Other Required Courses

• PPM 696 Field Experience
• PPM 699 Capstone

Field Experience

A non-credit field experience is required for pre-service students with little or no prior experience in public or nonprofit organizations. Faculty and staff work with managers and policy makers throughout the region to develop meaningful opportunities. PPM students may also complete their PPM field experience requirement by working with one of the School's research programs as long as the assignment is related to professional level experience. Incoming students will be screened by the Admissions Committee as to whether a field experience is required. If the Admissions Committee recommends that a field experience is not required, the student and the Academic Standing Committee will be notified and the student will be given the opportunity to formally petition for a waiver of the field experience requirement from Academic Standing. All PPM students are required to complete and submit a Field Experience Waiver Form by the end of their first semester of enrollment as a matriculated student in the PPM Program. This form will indicate whether or not they intend to petition to waive or complete the Field Experience requirement. In no case shall field experience be waived except by approval of a petition submitted by a student to the Academic Standing Committee. Those students needing a Field Experience will need to register for the non-credit Field Experience course.

Capstone Project

Each student or student research team must prepare a detailed, written proposal of the work to be undertaken to fulfill the capstone requirement including a written description of the intended final report. All capstone proposals should be presented during the semester in which the student or students will complete the capstone seminar.

Click here to read more about the PPM capstone project.

Electives

Beyond the core and track requirements, capstone and field experience, students are required take 6 credits of electives of their choice, which may include further courses from the tracks, the beginnings of a certificate, or another combination of courses.