Avg. years to complete
3
U-M graduate certificate programs
52
Certificate programs
U-M hosts an enormous variety of certificate programs that let students integrate high-quality interdisciplinary resources into their education. Rackham's 52 certificate programs include specializations such as:
- Data science
- Complex systems
- Environmental justice
- African studies
- Survey methodology
- Sustainability
- Spatial analysis
- Healthy cities
The Ford School offers an outstanding graduate certificate in science, technology, and public policy.
Dual degree programs
The majority of the dual-degree programs listed below will take approximately three years to complete, with the exception of the Medicine and Public Policy program (which will take five years) and the Law and Public Policy program (which will take four years). The degree requirements vary by program. The typical sequence of study is to spend one year taking courses in one program, the second year in the other program, and the third year splitting courses between both programs.
Students must satisfy the degree requirements of each school and should consult with each school's advisor(s) about graduation requirements for each degree. See the requirements for each program below.
Please see the Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies for additional dual/joint degree information requirements. When courses from both schools are taken in one term, tuition will be assessed at either the school's rate or the Rackham rate, whichever is higher.
Business Administration and Public Policy (MPP/MBA)
-
Requirement
Number of credits
Credits must include
Minimum credit hours required for MPP program
39
Core coursework + PubPol electives for a minimum of 36 PubPol credits, plus 3 additional graduate-level credits.
Minimum credit hours required for MBA program
45
Consult with MBA Program
Total credit hours required for dual degree
84
*Credit hours listed reflect a reduction of minimum hours from each program. No double-counting is permitted.
Students must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools. An application fee must accompany each application. Students must indicate the specific dual degree program on both applications. Students must take the GMAT for admission to the Ross School. The Ford School will accept the GMAT for applicants to joint degree program.
The combined degree program is not open to students who have earned either the MPP or MBA degree. However, students registered in the first year of either program may apply.
Please contact The Stephen M. Ross School of Business for additional information about their program or for an application.
Law and Public Policy (MPP/JD)
-
Requirement
Number of credits
Credits must include
Minimum credit hours required for MPP program
30
Core coursework + PubPol electives
Minimum credit hours required for JD program
71
Total credit hours required for dual degree
101
*Credit hours listed reflect reduction of minimum hours from each program. No double-counting is permitted.
**Students should verify minimum Law hours with the Law School.
Students must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools. An application fee must accompany each application. The LSAT may be submitted in place of the GRE for the Ford School.
The combined degree program is not open to students who have earned either the JD or MPP degree. Students registered in the first year of either program may apply for admission to the joint program in the fall term.
Please contact The Michigan Law School for additional information about their program or for an application.
Higher Education and Public Policy (MPP/MA)
-
Requirement
Number of credits
Credits must include
Minimum credit hours required for MPP program
32
Core coursework plus PubPol electives for a minimum of 32 PubPol credits
Minimum credit hours required for MA program
27
Additional credit hours in consultation with advisor(s)**
6
Total credit hours required for dual degree
65
*Credit hours listed reflect reduction of minimum hours from each program. No double-counting is permitted.
**6 additional graduate-level credit hours may be registered in either department.
Applicants to the Higher Education and Public Policy (MPP/MA) dual-degree program must complete separate applications for each program and pay separate application fees. Applications should be submitted to the Rackham School of Graduate Studies. If a student is admitted to only one program, the student may choose to accept enrollment in that program.
The dual-degree program is not open to students who have already earned either the MA in Higher Education or the MPP. Students registered in the first year of either program may apply for the dual degree.Please contact The School of Education for additional information about their program or for an application.
Public Health and Public Policy (MPP/MHSA or MPP/HMP)
-
Students must satisfy the degree requirements of each school and should consult with their advisor about graduation requirements for each degree.
The Department of Health Management and Policy (HMP) in the School of Public Health and the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy offer a dual degree program, leading to the Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) degrees. Note that this Rackham-approved dual degree is between the HMP department and the Ford School only. Students who wish to pursue an MPH in another SPH department should consult with both schools about the possibility of pursuing a Student–initiated Dual Degree program.
Requirement
Number of credits
Credits must include
Minimum credit hours required for MPP program
33
Core coursework plus PubPol electives for a minimum of 33 PubPol credits
Minimum credit hours required for MA program
45
Additional credit hours in consultation with advisor(s)**
6
Total credit hours required for dual degree
84
*Credit hours listed reflect reduction of minimum hours from each program. No double-counting is permitted.
**6 additional graduate-level credit hours may be registered in either department.
Requirement
Number of credits
Credits must include
Minimum credit hours required for MPP program
33
Core coursework plus PubPol electives for a minimum of 33 PubPol credits
Minimum credit hours required for MA program
43
Additional credit hours in consultation with advisor(s)**
6
Total credit hours required for dual degree
82
*Credit hours listed reflect reduction of minimum hours from each program. No double-counting is permitted.
**6 additional graduate-level credit hours may be registered in either department.
Students must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools. An application fee must accompany each application.
The combined degree program is not open to students who have already earned the MPP or MPH or the MHSA degree; however, students registered in the first year of either program may apply for admission to the joint program in the fall term.
Please contact the Department of Health Management and Policy in the School of Public Health for additional information about their program or for an application.
Social Work and Public Policy (MPP/MSW)
-
Rackham Graduate School guidelines allow dual degree student in the MSW/MPP program to double-count one-sixth of the total credits normally required to complete both programs.
Students may integrate the 48 credit-hour MPP program with the 60 credit-hour MSW program (totaling 108 credit hours) into a 90 credit-hour program, with 18 credits double-counted. Students must enroll in at least 33 PubPol credit hours, which will be applied towards their MPP degree. Students must satisfy the degree requirements of each school and should consult with their advisor about graduation requirements for each degree.
MPP non-credit requirement:
Students must complete a 10-week summer internship in a policy-related position.Please note:
- No credit is awarded for core courses successfully waived by passing waiver exams; credit must be earned with PubPol electives.
- Dual degree students will be required to complete at least one PubPol 638: Integrated Policy Exercise (IPE) in their first or second year. Learn more about the Integrated Policy Exercise and this requirement.
- Students who receive a reduction in credits or advanced standing should consult with the advisor(s) to determine the total number of credits required to complete the dual degree
Students must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools. An application fee must accompany each application. Interest in the dual degree program should be indicated on the application form. Current students who are applying to a secondary program should use the Rackham Dual Degree Application.
Please contact The School of Social Work for additional information about their program or for an application.
Urban and Regional Planning and Public Policy (MPP/MURP)
-
Rackham Graduate School guidelines allow dual degree students in the MURP/MPP program to double-count one-sixth of the total credits normally required to complete both programs.
Students may integrate the 48 credit-hour MPP program with the 48 credit-hour MURP program (totaling 96 credit hours) into an 80 credit-hour program, with 16 credits double-counted. Students must enroll in at least 33 PubPol credit hours, which will be applied towards their MPP degree. Students must satisfy the degree requirements of each school and should consult with their advisor about graduation requirements for each degree.
MPP non-credit requirement:
Students must complete a 10-week summer internship in a policy-related position.Please note:
- No credit is awarded for core courses successfully waived by passing waiver exams; credit must be earned with PubPol electives.
- Dual degree students will be required to complete at least one PubPol 638: Integrated Policy Exercise (IPE) in their first or second year. Learn more about the Integrated Policy Exercise and this requirement.
Students must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools. An application fee must accompany each application. Interest in the dual degree program should be indicated on the application form. Current students who are applying to a secondary program should use the Rackham Dual Degree Application.
Please contact The Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning for additional information about their program or for an application.
Information and Public Policy (MPP/MSI)
-
Rackham Graduate School guidelines allow dual degree student in the MSI/MPP program to double-count one-sixth of the total credits normally required to complete both programs.
Students may integrate the 48 credit-hour MPP program with the 48 credit-hour MSI program (totaling 96 credit hours) into an 80 credit-hour program, with 16 credits double-counted. Students must enroll in at least 33 PubPol credit hours, which will be applied towards their MPP degree. Students must satisfy the degree requirements of each school and should consult with their advisor about graduation requirements for each degree.
MPP non-credit requirement:
Students must complete a 10-week summer internship in a policy-related position.Please note:
- No credit is awarded for core courses successfully waived by passing waiver exams; credit must be earned with PubPol electives.
- Dual degree students will be required to complete at least one PubPol 638: Integrated Policy Exercise (IPE) in their first or second year. Learn more about the Integrated Policy Exercise and this requirement.
Students must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools. An application fee must accompany each application. Interest in the dual degree program should be indicated on the application form. Current students who are applying to a secondary program should use the Rackham Dual Degree Application.
Please contact The School of Information for additional information about their program or for an application.
Environment and Sustainability and Public Policy (MPP/MS)
-
Requirement
Number of credits
Credits must include
Minimum credit hours required for MPP program
33
Core coursework plus PubPol electives for a minimum of 33 PubPol credits
Minimum credit hours required for MS program
34
Additional credit hours in consultation with advisor(s)**
8
Total credit hours required for dual degree
75
*Credit hours listed reflect reduction of minimum hours from each program. No double-counting is permitted.
**8 additional graduate-level credit hours may be registered in either department.
Students must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools. An application fee must accompany each application. Interest in the dual degree program should be indicated on the application form. Current students who are applying to a secondary program should use the Rackham Dual Degree Application.
Please contact the School for Environment and Sustainability for additional information about their program or for an application.
Applied Economics and Public Policy (MPP/MAE)
-
Rackham Graduate School guidelines allow dual degree student in the MAE/MPP program to double-count one-sixth of the total credits normally required to complete both programs.
Students may integrate the 48 credit-hour MPP program with the 38 credit-hour MAE program (totaling 86 credit hours) into a 72 credit-hour program, with 14 credits double-counted. Students must enroll in at least 33 PubPol credit hours, which will be applied towards their MPP degree. Students must satisfy the degree requirements of each school and should consult with their advisor about graduation requirements for each degree.
MPP non-credit requirement:
Students must complete a 10-week summer internship in a policy-related position.Please note:
- No credit is awarded for core courses successfully waived by passing waiver exams; credit must be earned with PubPol electives.
- Dual degree students will be required to complete at least one PubPol 638: Integrated Policy Exercise (IPE) in their first or second year. Learn more about the Integrated Policy Exercise and this requirement.
Students must file separate applications to and be admitted by both schools. An application fee must accompany each application. Interest in the dual degree program should be indicated on the application form. Current students who are applying to a secondary program should use the Rackham Dual Degree Application.
Please contact the Economics program for additional information about their program or for an application.
Medicine and Public Policy (MPP/MD)
-
Requirement
Number of credits
Credits must include
Minimum credit hours required for MPP program
42
Core coursework + PubPol electives for a minimum of 36 PubPol credits, plus 6 additional graduate-level credits.
Minimum credit hours required for MD program
Verify with Medical School
Total credit hours required for dual degree
42 + Medical School Requirements
*Credit hours listed reflect reduction of minimum hours from each program. No double-counting is permitted.
Current medical students are encouraged to discuss their interest in the MD/MPP Program with the Medical School's Program Coordinator, the Office of Student Programs Counselors, or the Program's Medical School and Ford School advisors. Students should formally apply to the MD/MPP Program by submitting the Medical School's MD/MPP Intent Form at the end of their M2 year or by November 1st of their M3 year. At the time the Intent Form is submitted, students will also submit a written personal statement outlining their goals and reasons for pursuing the MD/MPP degree.
Admission to the MD/MPP Program is not automatic. Applicants are expected to have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and professionalism in Medical School. Applicants must receive Medical School endorsement for admission to the MD/MPP Program through the Clinical Academic Review Board. This process includes rigorous review of the applicant's overall Medical School performance, personal statement, and any other relevant materials.
Students must also formally apply to the Ford School by completing the Rackham application and fulfilling all listed requirements. The Ford School will accept MCAT scores in lieu of the GRE.
Please contact The University of Michigan Medical School for additional information about their program or for an application.
Notes for all dual degree students
- Dual degree students will be required to complete PubPol 638: Integrated Policy Exercise (IPE) in their first or second year. Learn more about the Integrated Policy Exercise and this requirement.
- Non-credit requirement: All MPP students must complete a 10-week summer internship in a policy-related position. Students should consult with Career Services early in the program to coordinate the timing of their MPP internship. The required MPP internship should be completed in the summer between the first and second year, or the summer between the second and third year.
- Some courses from other departments have been pre-approved to waive core MPP coursework for dual degree students. Students should check with the advisor(s) regarding available waivers for their dual degree program.
- Students who have comprehensively covered the content and learning objectives of required courses through previous graduate level study coursework may choose to petition to waive that core course. Be aware that a waiver does not give you credit toward your degree requirements, but exempts you from taking the required class.
- No credit is awarded for waived core courses. Any waived credits must be replaced with PubPol electives.
- Rackham does not allow triple counting between three degrees (including certificates).
- Dual degree students are strongly encouraged to check in frequently with advisors from both programs to ensure they are completing all degree requirements.
- Students must file separate applications to, and be admitted by, both schools. An application fee may accompany these separate applications. Admission to a second degree program after the completion of the third semester may delay graduation.
- Students may initiate dual degrees with other programs not listed here, pending approval from both programs. Most dual programs will adhere to the Rackham double-counting policy.
More information
To learn more about our residential master's programs, schedule a meeting with a member of our admissions team. You can also email us at [email protected] and we'd be happy to answer any questions you have.
