Master in Public Policy (M.P.P.)

The Master in Public Policy degree (MPP) offers you the opportunity to learn the skills you need to succeed in today’s public policy jobs—analytical expertise, strategic vision, clear and compelling communications, and the tools of leadership. This master's in public policy program is ideal whether you will be completing your bachelor’s degree in the near future or are currently working in a policy-related field. Choose a track focused on public policy analysis or strategy and communications—and select from a broad range of electives to personalize your degree plan. Built into the unique curriculum are a variety of experiential learning opportunities to deepen and broaden what you learn in the classroom, such as:

• Colloquium in Washington, DC: Immerse yourself in the Capitol scene – meeting with leaders in Congress, the White House, government agencies, political parties, advocacy groups, think tanks, and more
• Policy Internship: Work in a policy-focused organization to gain practical, real-world experience and a valuable perspective on careers in public policy
• Capstone Project: Employ the MPP skills you have gained to delve deeply into a specific policy area to produce a comprehensive written report and oral presentation 

Earn your MPP degree in as little as 16 months. You can also choose to earn your MPP degree over a longer period by attending part time. Note that the GRE is not required to apply for this degree program.

Program Delivery & Location:  Academic courses are offered in person on the UNH Durham campus with a portion of the experiential learning taking place offsite: in Washington, DC, for the Colloquium and at the Internship site location during the MPP Internship experience.

SAMPLE 16-MONTH FULL-TIME DEGREE COMPLETION PLAN

Fall Start (Typical)

Spring Start

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In special cases and with your Graduate Academic Advisor's permission, the Policy Internship may be taken for credit (PPOL 998, 3 credits), supervised by a faculty member who will provide the academic structure to parallel the applied experience. If this is the case, the required number of MPP-Approved elective courses is reduced to three (3) courses. 

²

Students choose two (2) courses from either the Strategy and Communication Track or the Policy Analysis Track. Courses in both tracks can also be taken as open elective courses.

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MPP-Approved elective courses are available in many substantive areas. Students may also propose additional electives if they make sense in terms of the student’s interests and academic plan. Discussion with your Graduate Academic Advisor should inform this choice.

Degree Requirements

Students enrolled in the Carsey School's Master in Public Policy program (MPP degree) are required to complete a forty (40) credit program, consisting of:

• Five (5) CORE Curriculum Courses   
• Four (4) EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Activities
• Two (2) PUBLIC POLICY TRACK Courses (Strategy and Communication Track or Policy Analysis Track)
• Four (4) ELECTIVE Courses

These provide the foundational analytical, strategic, and communication skills for a successful career in the world of public policy making. Students focus their public policy studies by choosing either the Strategy and Communication Track or the Policy Analysis Track and complete two courses in one of the tracks. Courses in both tracks can also be taken as open electives. Further opportunities for depth and specialization in substantive policy areas are provided by open elective courses which vary by semester. As culminating graduate experiences, students apply what they've learned through an MPP internship at a policy-oriented organization as well as conducting a capstone project by delving deeply into a policy area of interest. Both of these experiences are provided with guidance from faculty mentors.

Students are advised to have taken an introductory level economics class prior to starting the MPP program such as a “principles of economics” (macro or micro). Students should consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor to confirm that the course(s) previously taken are sufficient or for suggestions of which courses could be taken prior to starting the MPP program.

¹

In special cases and with your Graduate Academic Advisor's permission, the Policy Internship may be taken for credit (PPOL 998, 3 credits), supervised by a faculty member who will provide the academic structure to parallel the applied experience. If this is the case, the required number of MPP-Approved elective courses is reduced to three (3) courses. 

²

Students choose two (2) courses from either the Strategy and Communication Track or the Policy Analysis Track. Courses in both tracks can also be taken as open elective courses.

³

MPP-Approved elective courses are available in many substantive areas. Students may also propose additional electives if they make sense in terms of the student’s interests and academic plan. Discussion with your Graduate Academic Advisor should inform this choice.

This graduate program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with certain undergraduate degree programs.

General Accelerated Master's policy, note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher grade expectations) compared to the policy.

Please see the Graduate School website and contact the department directly for more information.

The Master in Public Policy program (MPP) allows eligible undergraduate seniors to enroll in graduate level courses which can fulfill requirements for both their undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students can apply to the Accelerated Master's MPP program during their junior or senior year. Please review details on eligibility requirements for admission.

Eligible students who are admitted to the Accelerated Master's MPP program may complete up to 12 credits at the 800-level during their undergraduate senior year, earning credit toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. Accelerated Master's students should always consult with their Graduate Academic Advisor for guidance.

The MPP program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis with the following undergraduate programs. The listed MPP courses have been approved for credit in these undergraduate programs:

• Apply basic methods of policy development and analysis to design and evaluate public policy
• Demonstrate competency in public speaking and writing related to public policy
• Demonstrate competency in strategic and tactical skills for achieving policy objectives
• Utilize data and research to inform policy design and advocacy
• Understand policy profession norms and ethics
• Apply critical thinking skills to address policy-relevant questions

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Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

• Fall:  August 1
• Spring: December 15 (preferred December 1)
• Summer: April 15 (preferred April 1)
• Special: N/A

Application Fee: See important notes below

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: Not Needed

Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

• Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
• Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Letters should include academic and professional references.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions:

This should be a clear, concise statement of the applicant’s relevant past experiences, including academics, research, and/or work experience. The statement should also include an expression of interests and an explanation of the student’s goals in pursuing a master's degree.

Statements must be included with your submitted application.

Resume

Resume is optional but recommended.

Additional Department Requirements

Applicants may be asked to interview either in person or by conference call with the program director and/or the graduate program coordinator.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

Additional Details for International Applicants

While international applicants to this master’s program are not required to file a pre-application on the graduate school website prior to applying to the program, please see the International Applicants Instructions page for additional requirements. TOEFL scores are required if English is not your first language.