Master of Public Policy (MPP)

This program is no longer accepting new students. Current students must complete their programs of study in accordance with Walden’s Time-to-Degree Completion policies.

Walden University’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) program will prepare students to work effectively within government agencies, governmental organizations, and the private sector. This includes the intersections of local, state, and federal systems and among socioeconomic sectors. Thus, it provides the ability to apply knowledge and skills practically that will impact society. The program comprises a core of contemporary theory and practice of policy creation, analysis, and implementation. With a unique blend of policy analysis and econometrics, the program will provide students with critical analytical skills essential for public policy professionals and organizational leaders. The MPP will attract leaders in public policy, and those aspiring to be leaders, in a wide variety of organizations which create, operate, analyze, or live by public policy.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Master of Public Policy, students will be able to:

Explain how public policies are developed, approved, implemented, and evaluated.
Apply major theories and concepts associated with the development of U.S. public policy and public administration.
Apply a variety of data analysis methods in the study of public policy issues.
Apply a variety of research and design methods in the study of public policy issues.
Describe how to implement methods of organizational change and development while adhering to ethical standards of practice.
Design strategies for collaboration across the research, policy, and practice sectors to solve complex problems.

Specializations

General Program (see Course Sequence below)
Criminal Justice
Emergency Management
Global Leadership
Health Policy
Homeland Security Policy and Coordination
International Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)
Law and Public Policy
Local Government Management for Sustainable Communities
Nonprofit Management and Leadership
Public Management and Leadership
Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace

Degree Requirements

General Program: 48 total quarter credits; with optional specialization: 63 total credits
Foundation course (3 cr.)
Core courses (40 cr.)
Optional specialization courses (15 cr.)
Capstone course (5 cr.)

Core Curriculum

Foundation Course (3 cr.)

MMPP 6117 - Foundations for Graduate Study

Core Courses (40 cr.)

Capstone Course (5 cr.)

MMPP 6910 - Capstone♦

Course Sequence

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

Quarter	Course	Credits
1	MMPP 6117 - Foundations for Graduate Study	3 cr.
1	MMPP 6405 - Ethics and Social Justice♦	5 cr.
2	MMPP 6111 - Leadership and Organizational Change♦	5 cr.
2	MMPP 6112 - Governance and Public Policy♦	5 cr.
3	MMPP 6280 - Policy and Politics in American Political Institutions♦	5 cr.
3	MMPP 6281 - Program Evaluation♦	5 cr.
4	MMPP 6282 - Public Policy and Finance♦	5 cr.
4	MMPP 6480 - Evidence-Based Evaluation Methods♦	5 cr.
5	MMPP 6465 - Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination♦	5 cr.
5	Specialization Course 1*	5 cr.
6	Specialization Course 2*	5 cr.
6	Specialization Course 3*	5 cr.
7	MMPP 6910 - Capstone♦	5 cr.

*Specialization courses are optional but must be taken in the sequence presented.