The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program prepares students to take on society’s hardest problems and lead the initiatives that solve them. It trains students to analyze public problems, evaluate policy impacts, and communicate findings to policymakers, stakeholders, and the public. Students build skills in quantitative research methods, program evaluation, and management. Graduates go on to meaningful careers across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Their work supports evidence-based decision-making and drives real, positive change. Graduates of the MPP program will strengthen the state’s capacity to develop effective public policy and help meet the state’s and the nation’s need for skilled policy analysts.
Curricular Requirements
Students are required to complete 36 semester hours of coursework.
| PPOL 501 Research Methods in PP I | 3 |
| PPOL 505 Research in Methods in PPII | 3 |
| PPOL 511 Economics for Public Policy | 3 |
| PPOL 521 The Policymaking Process | 3 |
| PSC 664 Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PSC 667 Public Budgeting | 3 |
| PSC 668 Program Evaluation | 3 |
| PPOL 531 Leadership in Public Policy | 3 |
| PPOL 581 Internship in Public Policy | 3 |
| Electives (See Electives List Below) | 6 |
| PPOL 591 Capstone in Public Policy | 3 |
| Total Credits for Major | 36 |
Electives
Students may petition the School of Leadership and Policy to substitute a course that is not on this list whose focus is on public policy.
| APR 541 Digital Communication Strategy | 3 |
| CSM 525 Conflict Resolution Workplace | 3 |
| CSM 528 Processes of Negotiation | 3 |
| MGT 517 Leadership & Ethics | 3 |
| MGT 534 Training and Development | 3 |
| MGT 552 Project Mgmt & Consulting | 3 |
| POPH 521 Health Policy & Planning | 3 |
| POPH 524 Health Economics | 3 |
| PSC 562 Public Personnel Admin | 3 |
| PSC 565 Foundations of Public Admin | 3 |
| PSC 662 Organization Theory | 3 |
| PSC 663 Sel Prob Public Admin | 3 |
| PSC 665 Local Government Admin | 3 |
| ST 552 Applied Regression Analy | 3 |
| ST 545 Intro Stat Learn & Data Mining | 3 |
| ST 645 Advanced Statistical Learning | 3 |
| SW 500 Social Welfare Policy | 3 |
| SW 501 Soc Welfare Adv Pol Analysis | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admission requirements for the MPP?
Applicants must meet the admission criteria of the Graduate School of The University of Alabama. In addition to the Graduate School requirements, applicants will be asked to submit the following.
- A resumé
- Transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended
- A Statement of Purpose setting out the reasons why the applicant wants to pursue the MPP at UA
- Contact information for three references
What are the application deadlines?
The fall semester priority deadline is March 15. The final deadline for fall semester admission is June 1.
Can students start the program in the spring semester?
Yes. Currently only UA Accelerated Master’s Program students are permitted tobegin the program in the spring semester.
Is funding available?
For general information about paying for Graduate School click here.
Are Graduate Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship positions available in the School of Leadership and Policy?
Not at this time.
What are the curriculum requirements?
The MPP is an on-campus, 36 credit hour master’s degree, including a 3-hour internship. It is designed to becompleted in two years.
Do you have a part-time or online MPP program?
Students may participate in the program as full- or part-time students.
Full-time status for a graduate student is 9 credit hours per full semester and 4.5credit hours for the summer term.
The MPP is an on-campus only program.
Is a master’s thesis required?
Rather than completing a traditional master’s thesis, students in the MPP program fulfill a capstone project requirement. This project provides an opportunity to apply the concepts, knowledge, and analytical skills developed throughout the program to address a real-world issue.
Is an internship required?
Yes. The MPP Program requires students to complete 300 hours of work in their internship for 3 credit hours. Students typically pursue an internship after completing 18 hours in the program, but exceptions to the 18-hour completion rule may be made by the MPP Director. Internships may be completed during the semester or, more commonly, during the summer and may be paid or unpaid.
Can I transfer credits from a previous master’s degree?
See Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.
What career opportunities are possible with an MPP?
Whether your career goals include government service, nonprofit leadership, public affairs, policy analysis, consulting, advocacy or working in a private business, the MPP provides the practical and analytical foundation needed to excel in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
What is the difference between a Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Public Administration (MPA)?*
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree is the professional degree for analyzing, evaluating, and solving all aspects of policy. As analysts and managers, MPP graduates work with quantitative and qualitative data to develop, assess, and evaluate alternative approaches to current and emerging issues.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is the professional degree for students seeking a career in public service or nonprofit management. MPA programs develop the skills and techniques used by managers to implement policies, projects, and programs that resolve important problems within their organization and in society.
*Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)