Master of Public Policy (MPP)

Areas of Specialization

MPP students have the opportunity to deepen their expertise by pursuing one of two optional areas of specialization:

        •    Environmental and Sustainability Policy (ESP)
        •    Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (STP)
        •    Policy Economics and Public Management (PEPM)

Each specialization requires the completion of at least four 3-credit courses, with a minimum of two offered by the Division of Public Policy. Students tailor their elective coursework to meet the requirements of their chosen track, gaining focused knowledge and skills that align with their professional goals.

Concentration Requirements

Students who opt to specialize must commit to one concentration only—double-concentrations are not permitted. Each concentration requires 12 of the 24 elective credits to be drawn from an approved list of relevant courses, including at least 6 credits from PPOL-designated electives. 

Environmental and Sustainability Policy Concentration (ESP): 

This concentration equips students with the tools, methodologies, and interdisciplinary perspectives needed to address complex environmental and natural resource challenges. Graduates are prepared to lead in public, non-profit, and private organizations working across a broad spectrum of sustainability issues—from climate policy and energy transitions to conservation and environmental justice.

Advised electives for the ESP Concentration this year include:

Remark:
For reference only. If you’re interested in opting into the concentration, please consult the program office.

Science and Technology Policy Concentration (STP): 

This concentration prepares students for careers at the intersection of science, technology, and public policy. It focuses on how innovation is shaped by governance, and how scientific and technological advances can be harnessed to solve societal problems. Students gain the analytical and strategic skills needed to work in sectors where policy guides innovation—or where innovation drives policy.

Advised electives for the STP Concentration this year include:

Remark:
For reference only. If you’re interested in opting into the concentration, please consult the program office.

Policy Economics and Public Management (PEPM): 

Students who complete this concentration will gain a tightly integrated skill set for diagnosing and solving public-sector problems: advanced economic reasoning, practical policy evaluation, and applied management techniques that enable evidence-based decision making. Through a mix of elective depth covering topics such as public finance, policy evaluation, environmental and green finance, anti-corruption, and institutional governance, students will gain the ability to design feasible interventions, conduct rigorous empirical analysis, and communicate clear, actionable recommendations to policymakers and employers.

Advised electives for the PEPM Concentration this year include:

*Only for special topics in the area of Policy Economics and Public Management

Remark:
For reference only. If you’re interested in opting into the concentration, please consult the program office.