Graduate Programs | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Graduate programs

We prepare our graduate students to find collaborative, creative solutions to complex challenges in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.
MPP application

Leaders grounded in service

We are America’s first graduate public service training program and among its most prominent—respected for the excellence of our faculty, our grounding in social science research and quantitative analysis, the real-world policy issues woven throughout our curriculum, and the careers of leadership and impact forged by our alumni.

Our curriculum is rigorous, relevant, interdisciplinary, and hands-on. We train students with a broad range of interests for a wide variety of jobs, providing a toolbox of research, analytical, and management skills that are highly transferable across sectors and issue areas.

For prospective students, please use this calendar to schedule appointments with our admissions team or select a time to meet with Tejal, our MPP Graduate Admissions and Office Assistant, and address any questions regarding the Ford School and our masters programs. ​​If these times do not fit your schedule, please feel free to email [email protected] to set up an alternative time with Tejal.

Quick facts

 

MPP

Dual Degree

Joint PhD

MPA

 

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Degree

Two-year Master of Public Policy degree for a professional career in the public, private, and non-profit sectors

Dual-master's degree with other U-M schools and departments including law, business, education, and others

A PhD program that combines public policy studies with disciplinary work in economics, political science, or sociology

9-month, mid-career Master of Public Affairs degree for experienced professionals with at least five years of policy-relevant work experience

Core credits

24

Varies

Varies

17.5

Elective credits

24

Varies

Varies

12.5

Total credits

48

Varies

Varies

30

Applied learning requirement

Required internship, between 1st and 2nd years

Required internship, summer following the first year of MPP coursework

N/A

N/A

Number of students matriculated

110

Varies, but often up to 30% of the MPP cohort

6

Varies, up to 25

 

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Download PhD brochure

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Ford School difference

What will you do with your Ford School degree?

Local and global, corporate and non-profit, educational and economic: your career starts here. Explore careers.
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Ford School difference

The leaders and best

We're housed at the world-class University of Michigan, a place with deep traditions focused on creating brighter futures.
Leaders and Best
Ford School difference

Leadership Initiative

The Ford School equips talented public policy graduates with the tools to have a positive impact on individuals, organizations, and communities.
Leadership initiative
Ford School difference

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Our dedication to academic excellence for the public good is inseparable from our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

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