Master of Science in Public Policy and Management Curriculum

• Policy and Politics: American Political Institutions (90-714) or An International Perspective (90-713)
• Policy Analysis
• Applied Economic Analysis (90-710) or Intermediate Economic Analysis (90-709)
• Statistical Reasoning (90-707) or Statistical Reasoning with R (90-711) or Accelerated Statistics (90-777)
• Optimization and Decision Modeling for Policy (90-722)
• Organizational Design and Implementation (94-700)
• Financial Statements and Analysis (90-723)
• Strategic Communication for Public Policy and Management
• Introduction to Database Management (90-728)
• Public Policy Capstone Project
• PPM Professional Seminar

In Fall 2027 and beyond, public policy students will choose from targeted electives to gain skills and experience in the following areas: 

• Policy Domains
• Policy Methods*
• Artificial Intelligence
• Lab-Based Experiential Learning
• Management*

Students pursuing the Data Analytics and Washington, DC tracks may automatically fulfill some of these requirements through their course plan. 

*Policy methods and Management are not applicable to students pursuing the Data Analytics track. 

For class, syllabi, and faculty information, please visit the Heinz College course catalog. Fall 2026 current students, please visit the Master of Science in Public Policy and Management Student Handbook.

Data Analytics Coursework is taken in addition to the Core coursework listed above.

• Python Programming II (90-819) or Data Focused Python (95-888)
• Exploratory Data Analysis and Visualization in Python (90-800)
• Machine Learning Foundations with Python (90-803)
• Applied Econometrics I (94-834)
• Applied Econometrics II (94-835)
• From Data to Action (94-867)
• Database Management for Policy Analytics* (90-838) 
• Optimization and Decision Modeling for Analytics* (90-755)
• Accounting and Finance Analytics* (95-719)

For class syllabi, and faculty information, please visit the Heinz College course catalog. 

Fall 2026 current students, please visit the Master of Science in Public Policy and Management Student Handbook.

DC Coursework is taken in addition to the Core coursework listed above.

• Working the Policy Ecosystem (90-897)
• Policy in Action I/II (90-879)
• Program Evaluation (90-823)
• Leadership/Management Workshop: How Washington Works (90-855)
• Federal Budget Policy (90-894)
• Capstone (Systems Synthesis): Project Planning 

PLUS

• Policy Analysis Capstone Project

PLUS

• Heinz Policy Fellowship at a Washington, DC-based agency or organization (Year Two, ~30 hours/four days per week)

For class, syllabi, and faculty information, please visit the Heinz College course catalog. Fall 2026 current students, please visit the Master of Science in Public Policy and Management Student Handbook.

• Telling Stories with Data (94-870)
• Policy Innovation Lab (90-783)
• Critical Analysis of Policy Research (90-822)
• Program Evaluation (90-823)
• Negotiation (94-800)
• Federal Budget Policy (90-894)
• Poverty Reduction and Social Policies in the U.S. (90-704)
• Local and Regional Economic Development (90-743)
• Systems Analysis: Environmental Policy (90-798)
• Python Programming (90-812)
• Machine Learning for Public Policy Lab (94-989)
• Unstructured Data Analytics (95-865)
• Data Science and Big Data (95-885)
• Responsible AI: Fundamentals, Policy, and Implementation (94-885)
• Geographic Information Systems (94-802)
• Behavioral Economics in Public Policy
• U.S. Energy and Climate Policy
• Policy in a Global Economy
• Racial & Gender Impact on U.S. Policies
• Demystifying AI
• Lean Innovation Lab
• Policy Innovation Lab
• AI and Democracy (94-816)

Elective availability may differ by pathway/location; students may also enroll in graduate-level courses from other Heinz College programs as well as other departments across Carnegie Mellon University’s campus, with approval.

For class, syllabi, and faculty information, please visit the Heinz College course catalog.

Students can elect an optional concentration in one of the following policy areas, or define their own:

• AI Management
• Energy and Environmental Policy
• Health Policy
• International Policy
• Nonprofit and Public Management
• Public Interest Technology
• Social Policy
• Technology Governance, Cybersecurity, and Privacy Policy
• Urban & Regional Economic Development
• U.S. Politics and Policy Making

Learn More About Our Concentrations