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Master of Science in Public Policy and Management: Washington, D.C., Track

How to Apply

Where Policy Makers are Built

This track is right for you if:

  • You know that the nation's capital is the place to make your mark on the world
  • You want to spend part of your graduate program living and working in D.C.
  • You want access to policymakers, federal agencies, nonprofits, and think tanks shaping public policy

Key Program Information

Everything you need to know about the Washington, D.C., Track of the Master of Science in Public Policy and Management program.

Program Length

Two years, four semesters
Year 1 in Pittsburgh, Year 2 in DC

Sample Schedule

Program Delivery

In person

Life at Heinz

Application Deadlines

Round 1: December 1, 2026
Round 2: January 10, 2027
Round 3: February 1, 2027

Learn more about the application process

Cost of Attendance

Please visit CMU's Student Financial Services website.

CMU Student Financial Services

Internship

Required, plus full-time Policy Fellowship in second year

Experiential Learning at Heinz College

STEM-Designated

Yes

Office of International Education

My Heinz Story: Lizbeth

For Lizbeth Perez Hernandez, the Washington, D.C., track offered a way to turn her interest in intersectional housing policy into actual community impact. 

Public Policy and Management: Washington, D.C., Track Curriculum

The Washington, D.C., track follows the same academic schedule as the Flagship track, which begins in August and lasts four semesters, graduating in May. The Washington, D.C., track is not compatible with the Data Analytics track or Fast Track.

For detailed curriculum information, please visit the Master of Science in Public Policy and Management Student Handbook.

  • Applied Economic Analysis(90-710)
  • Statistical Methods(90-707 or 90-711)
  • Policy & Politics
  • Introduction to Policy Analysis
  • Introduction to Database Management (90-728)
  • Organizational Design and Implementation(94-700)
  • Optimization and Decision Modeling for Policy (90-722)
  • Financial Analysis (91-804)
  • Strategic Communication for Public Policy and Management (90-877)

PLUS

  • Required Summer Internship

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

PLUS

PLUS

  • Heinz Policy Fellowship(30 hours/four days per week)

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

    • R for Data Policy Analysis (90-872)
    • Data Visualization and Dashboards (90-885)
    • Systems Analysis: Environmental Policy (90-798)
    • Resilient and Sustainable Communities (90-789)
    • Technology, Humanity and Social Justice - Education (94-783)
    • International Crisis Negotiation Exercise (94-859)
    • Telling Stories with Data (94-870)
    • Programming R for Analytics (94-842)
    • Python Programming I (90-812)
    • Policy Innovation Lab (90-783)
    • Design Thinking (94-866)
    • Behavioral Economics (90-880)
    • Policy in a Global Economy (90-860)
    • Elective Politics and Policy-Making (90-754)
    • Health Economics (94-705)
    • Organizational Change (91-809)
    • Evidence-Based Management (94-814)
    • Negotiation (94-800)
    • Privacy in the Digital Age (94-806)
    • Measuring Social (94-823)
    • Privacy Policy, Technology, and the Law (95-818)
    • Cybersecurity Policy and Governance (95-744 and 95-743)

    *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.

The DC track program is organized around policy analysis. Students can elect an optional concentration in one of the following policy areas, or they can define their own. DC students wishing to complete a concentration should meet at the start of the program to map it out with their advisor or program director: 

  • 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 policy concentrations

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Begin Your Path to Impact

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Sample Public Policy and Management: Washington, D.C., Track Class Schedule

  • At Carnegie Mellon University, courses are counted in units instead of credits.
  • Three units are roughly equivalent to one credit at many of our peer institutions.
  • A semester-long course is 12 units, while a half-semester class (called a mini) is six units.

The following schedules are intended to be examples of the structure of the semester. Courses may not always be offered in this fashion.

Year 1: Pittsburgh

Fall

Course Title
Applied Economic Analysis
Statistical Methods
Policy & Politics
Organizational Design & Implementation
Professional Seminar
Elective

Spring

Course Title
Optimization & Decision Modeling for Policy
Introduction to Policy Analysis
Communications for Public Policy
Financial Analysis
Database Management
Elective

Year 2: Washington DC

Fall

Course Title
Federal Budget Policy
Program Evaluation
Fellowship
Policy in Action
How Washington Works
Systems Planning

Spring

Course Title
Policy Capstone
Cost Benefit Analysis
Fellowship
Policy in Action
Elective
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