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College of Social Sciences & Humanities

Public Policy

Master's

The Master of Public Policy enables students to assess public problems, develop appropriate policy responses, and evaluate program effectiveness.

Program curriculum Explore College of Social Sciences & Humanities
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Program Format
On ground
Time Commitment
Part time, Full time
Duration
1 - 2 Year(s)
Meets F1 visa requirements
Yes
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Program overview

Data-driven public policy

The Master of Public Policy degree emphasizes the analysis of data and other relevant information to enable graduates to assess public problems, develop appropriate policy responses, and evaluate program effectiveness. MPP graduates enter careers as policy analysts, researchers, consultants, program evaluators, and policymakers in a broad range of public and nonprofit settings, ranging from the local to the international, and in the private sector.

The curriculum is designed to offer methodological rigor, a theoretical framework, and opportunities for applied experiences in optional areas of specialization. The majority of classes are offered in the early evening to accommodate working students.

  • Required internship or co-op for students with fewer than one year of relevant professional experience
  • Optional internship or co-op for candidates with relevant professional experience
  • Majority of classes are offered in the early evening to accommodate working students
  • Optional areas of applied specialization currently include sustainability and climate change, urban informatics, and health policy
  • Optional Concentration in Healthcare Management and Policy
    This graduate concentration is available to students in the Masters of Public Policy program in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. It is designed to enable students to develop a deeper understanding of the contemporary healthcare sector, including intricacies of U.S. health policy and competencies in healthcare management. The concentration comprises three courses, one from each of three focus areas: Health Management, Health Policy, and Health Elective.
  • Optional Concentration in Sustainability and Climate Change Policy
    This graduate concentration is available to students in the Master of Public Policy program in the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. It is designed to enable MPP students to develop deeper insights into the policy dimensions of these intertwined but conceptually distinct realms of climate change inquiry and action, and in both domestic and international domains. The concentration comprises three courses.

Admissions

Apply to the program

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.


Fall Term

Final deadline for international applicants:June 15
Final deadline for domestic applicants:August 15
Deadline for special student applicants (noninternational only): August 25

Spring Term

Deadline for international applicants:October 1
Deadline for domestic applicants:December 15
Deadline for special student applicants (noninternational only):December 15

Summer 1 Term

Domestic applicants only:April 15

  • Application

  • Application fee

  • Personal statement

  • Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended

    • The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)

  • English proficiency for international applicants

  • Resumé

  • Three letters of recommendation

  • Standardized test scores such as the GRE are not required for master's degree applicants to the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs. However, such test scores may be helpful for applicants with little or no experience beyond undergraduate school.

Program objectives

Prepare for success

Students develop expertise in public policy with leadership training and an education focused on the intricacies of modern policy challenges.

In-class case studies

Professors integrate case studies, small group exercises, and applied projects into the classroom to add a real-world perspective to the coursework.

Research

Students collaborate with faculty on research in class and at The Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, The Social Impact Lab, and the Boston Area Research Initiative.

Capstone

Students complete a capstone, a semester-long project where student teams work in partnership with local, state, or federal agencies or nonprofit institutions.

Opportunities abroad

Students can participate in a one-semester exchange program with the University of Amsterdam’s Urban Studies Research master’s program or KU Leuven.

Market outlook
Industry at a glance
Here's a look at current market trends and the career landscape.

Occupations

Cost of attendance

Tuition and financial aid

  • $40,520 - $42,546
    Tuition in USD

Estimated Total Tuition

This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2025-2026 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.

For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.

There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more. Connect with a financial counselor to learn about your options and make your dream a reality.

Visit tuition & financial aid

Total Cost of Attendance: This figure reflects the cost-per-credit pricing for the current academic year. The total cost of attendance is dependent on the pace at which students complete the program. Please visit the Student Financial Services site for a more detailed breakdown of pricing per credit and other program fees.

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Want more information?

We’re here to answer your questions about this program, the application process, and more. Complete the form below to receive additional program details and speak with a member of our enrollment team. 

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