Programs Offered
/filters:quality(90)/prod01/production-cdn-pxl/media/umassdartmouth/seppce/center-for-policy-analysis/public-policy/9-1.jpg?text=945+WebP)
The Department of Public Policy offers several online graduate program options to its students. These include three graduate certificate programs, a Master of Public Policy (MPP) program, and a joint Juris Doctor (JD)/MPP program associated with UMass School of Law. Summaries of these offerings are provided below as well as details through each link.
Online Master of Public Policy
The Master of Public Policy (MPP), the Department's signature degree, caters to students seeking employment in state, federal, and municipal governments, non-profit organizations, and business, trade, and labor associations. It also aids students who wish to advance their careers in public policy or further their studies in the policy field. Program details can be found in the link above. General information on the program can be found at Online & Continuing Education.
Graduate Certificate in Educational Policy
The Online Education Policy Graduate Certificate offers students an excellent opportunity to develop both advanced knowledge and practical skills that can be applied in a variety of educational and policy settings. A completed graduate certificate waives the GRE requirement for those considering application to the MPP Program. In addition, each class counted towards the graduate certificate will be accepted into the MPP program (for certificate holders who apply and are accepted into the MPP program) so long as the student earned a 3.0 (B average) or higher in the course. Program details can be found in the link above. General information on the program can be found at Online & Continuing Education.
Graduate Certificate in Environmental Policy
The Online Environmental Policy Graduate Certificate offers an excellent opportunity to achieve advanced knowledge and professional certification in the formulation and implementation of policies that achieve sustainable operations. It gives students a foundation in public policy and the environment while introducing students to environmental issues of local, state, regional, national, and global concern. A completed graduate certificate waives the GRE requirement for those considering application to the MPP Program. In addition, each class counted towards the graduate certificate will be accepted into the MPP program (for certificate holders who apply and are accepted into the MPP program) so long as the student earned a 3.0 (B average) or higher in the course. Program details can be found in the link above. General information on the program can be found at Online & Continuing Education.
Graduate Certificate in Public Management
The Online Public Management Graduate Certificate exposes students to the essential principles of public management within the context of public policy. Students learn about the foundation of policy development and public management. From this foundation students choose a variety of electives that focus on areas including state and local public finance, regional economic development, program evaluation, and other aspects critical to public management. A completed graduate certificate waives the GRE requirement for those considering application to the MPP Program. In addition, each class counted towards the graduate certificate will be accepted into the MPP program (for certificate holders who apply and are accepted into the MPP program) so long as the student earned a 3.0 (B average) or higher in the course. Program details can be found in the link above. General information on the program can be found at Online & Continuing Education.
JD/MPP Program
Students can study both law and policy through this joint program that leads to a juris doctor degree and master of public policy degree. In 2015 the School of Law and Department of Public Policy formalized administrative guidelines for the administration of this program. Included in that process was the sharing of courses between programs. Students can earn up to 9 credits towards the MPP by taking recognized law courses, and a further 6 credits towards the JD by taking recognized MPP courses. This results in a total of 15 credits that can be counted towards both programs. Program details can be found in the link above.