Location:

Pittsburgh, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Doctorate

Specialty:

Public Policy

Program Overview

Program Description:

This unique program seeks to train a new breed of public interest leader and to give students a broad awareness of and direct exposure to careers in national and international policy. During the first year of the program, students will be located at the main campus in Pittsburgh, PA, building a solid foundation in public policy, management, information technology, and analytical thinking – skills that have long been a hallmark of the MSPPM degree. The second year of the program will take place in Washington, DC where students will work four days per week in full-time apprenticeships, take classes two nights per week, and spend Friday mornings in workshops and classes. This integration of skill building with hands-on application, real-world experience and networking will create a unique graduate school experience. Curriculum requirements * Begin the program in the Fall semester (late August). * Complete a total of 198 units with a cumulative QPA of 3.0. * Complete the core curriculum and specific coursework for students in DC. * Undertake an internship in the summer between the first and second years. * Undertake an approved apprenticeship in the second year in the national capital region. * Complete Systems Synthesis, a group capstone project, during your second year. 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. Year one in Pittsburgh, PA Policy Analysis * Applied Economic Analysis * Empirical Methods for Public Policy Analysis * Policy Convocation Management * Organizational Design and Implementation * Management Science * Strategic Writing Skills * Strategic Presentation Skills Political Science * Policy and Politics: An International Perspective -or- Policy and Politics in American Political Institutions Technology & Management * Introduction to Database Management * Information and Communication Technologies Finance * Financial Analysis Year two in Washington, DC * Apprenticeship: work in a high-level policy apprenticeship in a government, non-profit, or consulting organization, four days a week (30 hours). * Apprenticeship Workshop: includes discussion of the week’s events, problems encountered and lessons learned * Systems Synthesis Project: student teams will work for a client and tackle a real issue that synthesizes their coursework * Capstone Course: integrates material from the required curriculum and provides an opportunity to learn how policy plays out in the real world. * Advanced Policy & Methods Courses: an opportunity to explore the tools of policy analysis within context-specific policy areas.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Financial Aid:

Yes