Academic Programs
College of Social Sciences and Humanities
Master of Public Policy
Master’s Degree
The Master of Public Policy is the industry standard among public policy degrees, emphasizing the analysis of data and other relevant information and enabling students to assess public problems, develop appropriate policy responses, and evaluate program effectiveness.
Application fees will be waived for applications to the Master of Science in Security and Resilience Studies and Master of Public Policy programs at Northeastern University’s Arlington campus.
Location
Arlington, VA in the National Capital Region
Commitment
Full-Time/Part-Time
Duration
1-2 Years
f-1 visa ELIGIBLE
Yes
Type
Hybrid/Classroom
Program Overview
The MPP degree emphasizes the analysis of data and other relevant information to enable graduates to assess public problems, develop appropriate policy responses, and evaluate program effectiveness. MPP graduates enter careers as policy analysts, researchers, consultants, program evaluators, and policymakers in a broad range of public and nonprofit settings, ranging from local to international, and the private sector.
At Northeastern, the MPP joins our long-established and nationally accredited Master of Public Administration, as well as our Master of Urban Planning and Policy, Master of Science in Urban Informatics, and Master of Arts in International Affairs. As such, students are part of a larger community of great intellectual and policy area diversity. The curriculum is designed to offer methodological rigor, a theoretical framework, and opportunities for applied experiences in optional areas of specialization. The majority of classes are offered in the early evening to accommodate working students.
MPP students build an area of subject expertise based on an array of electives offered by the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, by other programs in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and elsewhere in the university. As experiential learning is a key element of the program, students who enter with fewer than two years of relevant professional experience will be required to complete an internship. Students also have the option to take the internship for credit. Candidates with relevant professional experience can request a waiver of the internship requirement.
More Details
- In-Class Case Studies — Professors integrate case studies, small group exercises, and applied projects into the classroom to add a real-world perspective to the coursework.
- Research — Students collaborate with faculty on groundbreaking, use-inspired research in class and in our research centers—The Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, The Social Impact Lab, and the Boston Area Research Initiative.
- Capstone — Students must complete a capstone, a semester-long project where student teams work in partnership with local, state, or federal agencies or nonprofit institutions to assess a problem, produce a thorough policy analysis, and recommend solutions to the client.
- Opportunities Abroad — Students can participate in a one-semester exchange program with the University of Amsterdam’s Urban Studies Research master’s program or KU Leuven. This is an academic, research-oriented program that will be complementary to our professionally focused Master of Public Policy program.
Tuition and Aid
Tuition
$37.8K
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2022-2023 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time.
Find detailed information on tuition and fees from Student Financial Services.
Finance Your Education
We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships. Learn more from Student Financial Services.
Curriculum
For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.
Experiential Learning
Northeastern’s signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.
Admission Dates
Fall
| Final deadline for Fall 2023: | August 15 |
Spring
| Final deadline for Spring 2024: | December 15 |
Additional information for international applicants can be found at the Office of Global Services (OGS). OGS is an active resource to over 20,000 international students and scholars from 147 different nations across the world. They provide the professional expertise and support you need to maintain compliance through immigration, academic, and your employment experiences—helping you remain a valuable member of the Northeastern community.
How to Apply
Learn more about the College of Social Sciences and Humanities’ admissions process and required materials.