MSPPM Three-Semester Track

As a student in the three-semester MSPPM program at Heinz College, you'll experience an innovative, challenging curriculum in public policy and management unlike any in the world. The option to begin the program in the fall semester (August) and complete the degree in 16 months allows those with extensive relevant professional experience to complete a high quality professional master’s degree without leaving the workforce for too long. Our interdisciplinary approach fosters an exceptional education in emerging issues of public policy, as well as in public and non-profit management.

Three-Semester Track Requirements

• Begin the program in the fall semester (August).
• Complete a total of 168 units with a cumulative QPA of 3.0.Complete the core curriculum.
• Complete Systems Synthesis, a group capstone project, during your second or third semester.

MSPPM Course Requirements

The MSPPM core curriculum—reviewed, refined and validated by the top professionals in the public policy arena—provides a solid foundation of comprehensive skills you need to lead an organization to success and address critical social issues. Below is a list of required courses you'll need to earn the degree.

Policy Analysis

• 90-710  Applied Economic Analysis –or- 90-709  Intermediate Economic Analysis
• 90-711  Empirical Methods for Public Policy & Mgmt –or-  90-786  Intermediate Empirical Methods  for Public Policy & Mgmt
• Public Policy and Management Convocation

Management

• 94-700  Organizational Design and Implementation
• 90-722  Management Science I  –or- 90-755  Intermediate Management Science I
• 90-760  Management Science II –or- 90-775  Intermediate Management Science II
• 94-701 Business English –or- 94-702  Professional Writing
• 90-718 Strategic Presentation Skills

Political Science

• 90-713 Policy and Politics: An International Perspective -or-  90-714 Policy and Politics in American Political Institutions

Technology & Management

• Introduction to Database Management
• 6 unit IT Requirement (choose one of several)

Finance

• 90-724 Financial Analysis

Project Application

• Systems Synthesis Project
• Advanced Policy Topics(choose one of several)
• Advanced Methods Courses(choose two of many)
• Concentration coursework (may include Advanced Methods and Policy courses)

Course Exemptions

If you have a strong background in any of the core courses, you can receive an exemption either by passing an exemption exam administered by Heinz during your orientation program or through successful completion of comparable coursework during your undergraduate work. Exempting a course doesn't reduce the required number of courses you must complete. However, you can add more elective courses to expand your knowledge base.