Hatfield School of Government

Master of Public Policy Degree Requirements

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Master of Public Policy

Degree Requirements

Program Description

Master of Public Policy (MPP) at Portland State University
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) at Portland State University is a rigorous, cohort-based graduate program designed for students passionate about creating meaningful change in public systems. Located in the heart of Portland, Oregon, this two-year program prepares future policy analysts, advocates, and leaders to address complex social, environmental, and economic issues. With two distinct tracks—Policy Analysis and Policy Advocacy—students can tailor their studies to align with their career goals in government, nonprofits, or community organizations. Applications are open each fall, and priority is given to applicants who apply by February 1. Learn more about how PSU’s MPP program blends hands-on learning with research-driven policy education to advance public good.

 

General Degree Requirements

The Master of Public Policy is designed as a two-year, full-time master’s program of 54 credits. In order to graduate from the program, students must obtain a minimum of 54 credits. Coursework is made up of a first-year core curriculum in policy leadership, analysis, and process, and then a second-year curriculum composed of policy tracks, policy specializations, a summative project, a course that emphasizes diversity in public policy, and the creation of a professional development plan to be refined in the context of a professional development course.

The inclusion of both a traditional Policy Analysis track as well as a separate Policy Advocacy and Leadership track makes the Portland State University MPP an innovative program in the field. The MPP core courses draw from courses offered by programs in Political Science, Public Administration, and Public Affairs and Politics.

Core Courses

All MPP students are required to take all core courses (credit hours in parentheses).

  • PAP 511 Introduction to Public Policy (3)
  • PS 520 American Political Institutions (4)
  • PS 533 Ethics and Public Policy (4)

 

Methods Core (10 credits)

  • PS 591 Testing Theories in Political Science (4)
  • PA 551 Analytic Methods in Public Administration I (3)
  • PA 552 Analytic Methods in Public Administration II (3)

 

Elective Core (select 3)

  • PA 554 Policy Analysis Research (3)
  • PAP 512 Introduction to Policy Advocacy (3) 
    OR
  • PA 538 Advocacy and Political Participation by Nonprofit Organizations (3)
  • PA 579 Policy Tools in Policy Design (3)
  • PAP 514 Institutional Dynamics of Public Policy (3)
  • PS 576 Politics of Inequality in the United States (4)
  • PS 515 Comparative Public Policy (4)

*Course substitutions are occasionally necessary for core courses, which can alter the total number of credits students can gain from core coursework. In these instances, the MPP director will communicate directly with students to alert them of the changes.

 

Summative Policy Project (3 credits)

The summative policy project is the highlight and summation of the MPP program. It is an opportunity for MPP students to begin the transition to professional life by engaging in a capstone project that engages the 6 skills and competencies that the program delivers in the setting of a client organization. 

  • AP 509 Public Policy Project (3) 
    OR
  • PS 509 Public Policy Project (3)

 

Track and Specialization Courses

Students choose one of the following two tracks as part of their course specialization work: (1) Policy Leadership/Advocacy Track (9 credits), or (2) Policy Analysis Track (9 credits). In addition, students choose another 9 credits of specialization courses.

Track courses may come from a variety of policy-related fields, both within and outside the Hatfield School of Government. All Track courses should be taken in consultation with students’ faculty advisors.

Policy specialization courses (Minimum of 9 credits) address specific policy domains. There is a wide breadth of expertise and courses across campus. Students will be expected, in consultation with their advisors, to select a set of courses that cover the areas they are likely to pursue professionally. Examples of relevant policy areas, including suggested core courses include:

  • PS 546 National Security
  • PA 564 Environmental Policy
  • USP 567 Housing Policy

Policy Advocacy Track (Minimum of 9 credits)

Suggested courses for the Policy Advocacy Track include (* designates special topics courses that may not be offered regularly):

  • PA 514 Global Leadership and Management
  • PA 517 Leadership Development for Public Organizations
  • PA 518 Leading Public Organizations
  • PA 519 Civic Capacity
  • PA 537 Law and Public Policy
  • PA 538 Advocacy and Political Participation by Nonprofits
  • PA 541 Social Entrepreneurship
  • PA 539 National Policy Process (Washington, DC Field Course)
  • PA 543 Creating Collaborative Communities
  • PA 545 Organizational Development
  • PA 560 Local Government Administration
  • PA 592 Volunteerism &Volunteer Management
  • PA 595 Labor Relations in the Public Sector
  • PS 516 Political Parties and Elections
  • PS 517 Interest Groups
  • PS 518 Contemporary Political Protest in America
  • PS 519 Political Reform
  • PS 527 The Politics of Public Opinion
  • PS 531 State and Local Politics
  • COMM 510 Political Campaigns*
  • COMM 520 Political Communication
  • SOC 524 Groups, Interaction, and Identity
  • SOC 576 Theories of Social Change
  • SW 524 Community Organization
  • SW 532 Advocacy and Empowerment
  • USP 550 Participatory Planning
  • USP 584 Negotiations in the Public Sector

This is not an extensive list and students are encouraged to look for relevant courses from across
the university, in consultation with their Advisor.

Policy Analysis Track (Minimum of 9 credits)


Suggested courses for the Policy Analysis Track include:

  • PA 539 National Policy Process (Washington, DC Field Course)
  • PA 551 Analytic Methods in Public Administration I
  • PA 552 Analytic Methods in Public Administration II
  • PA 555 Program Evaluation & Management
  • PA 556 Contract Management
  • PA 582 Public Budgeting
  • CCJ 520 Analysis of Crime and Justice Data
  • CE 566 Environmental Data Analysis
  • PAH 588 Program Evaluation & Management for Health Services
  • EC 527 Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • EC 528 Project Evaluation
  • EC 570 Econometrics
  • GEOG 588 Geographic Information Systems I
  • GEOG 592 Geographic Information Systems II
  • USP 591 Geographic Information Systems I
  • USP 592 Geographic Information Systems II
  • SOC 592 Qualitative Methods
  • SOC 597 Applied Survey Research
  • SOC 638 Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
  • SOC 639 Focus Group Interviewing
  • SYSC 513 Holistic Strategies for Problem Solving
  • SYSC 525 Agent-Based Simulation
  • SYSC 545 Application of Data Science
  • SYSC 551 Discrete Multivariate Modeling
  • SYSC 552 Game Theory
  • USP 536 Policy Evaluation Methods
  • USP 520 Applied Demographic Methods I
  • USP 521 Applied Demographic Methods II
  • USP 683 Qualitative Analysis

This is not an extensive list and students are encouraged to look for relevant courses from across
the university, in consultation with their Advisor.

Take the Next Steps

Have Questions?

Please email mpp@pdx.edu.