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Is a Master's Degree in Public Management Right For Me?


The Master of Public Management degree is a part-time program ideal for working professionals in Western Pennsylvania seeking to refine their skills in evidence-based decision making and organizational leadership in order to step into leadership roles—while having the flexibility to stay on the job.

You think of Carnegie Mellon University as the birthplace of AI, the institution that sends robots to Mars, and the home of self-driving cars and Tony Award winners. It is all those things, but there is a place here for you, too. Apply the same evidence-based analysis skills to help you make an impact right here in Pittsburgh with a Master of Public Management degree.

The Public Management curriculum is designed with professionals in mind, so you never have to miss work. All classes are offered in the evening. If your work schedule allows, however, you can enroll in elective courses that are offered during the day as well.

The MPM program has three tracks, allowing you to select the pace that fits you:

  • Accelerated: 15 months (with transfer credit)
  • Standard: 20 months
  • Extended: 24 months

All tracks are available for Fall, Spring or Summer starts.

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Master of Public Management Curriculum


For detailed curriculum information, please visit the MPM Program Handbook.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE: Master of public management

Below is one possible schedule for the MPM program. Students have flexibility with the number of courses taken each semester.

Class titles in bold are core courses. Heinz College offers a mix of full-semester (14 weeks) and half-semester courses (7 weeks) for core and elective courses.

Standard Pace – 24 Units/Semester - 20 Months

  • Fall Y1: Statistical Reasoning (12), Electives (12)
  • Spring Y1: Financial Statements (6), Database (6), Electives (12)
  • Summer Y1: Writing (6), Presentation (6), ODI (6), Electives (6)
  • Fall Y2: Optimization (6), Leadership Bin (6), Electives (12)
  • Spring Y2: Business Analytics (6), Electives (18)

Extended Pace – 18 Units/Semester - 24 Months

  • Fall Y1: Statistical Reasoning (12), Electives (6)
  • Spring Y1: Financial Statements (6), Database (6), Electives (6)
  • Summer Y1: Writing (6), Presentation (6), Electives (6)
  • Fall Y2: Optimization (6), Electives (12)
  • Spring Y2: Business Analytics (6), Electives (12)
  • Summer Y2: Leadership Bin (6), ODI (6)
  • Fall Y3: Electives (18)

Accelerated (24 Transfer Units) 24 Units/Semester - 15 Months

  • Fall Y1: Statistical Reasoning (12), Electives (12)
  • Spring Y1: Financial Statements (6), Database (6), Business Analytics (6), Electives (6)
  • Summer Y1: Writing (6), Presentation (6), ODI (6), Leadership Bin (6)
  • Fall Y2: Optimization (6), Electives (18)

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