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 their advisor 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)
-
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.
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. 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)
-
Students must satisfy the degree requirements of each school and should consult with their advisor about graduation requirements for each degree. In most circumstances, students may need to start the dual degree program at the Law School (due to A.B.A. requirements), but please consult with a law school advisor regarding this when making your academic plans.
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
Consult with JD Program
Total credit hours required for dual degree:
101
*Credit hours listed reflect reduction of minimum hours from each program. No double-counting is permitted.
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.
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)
-
Students must satisfy the degree requirements of each school and should consult with their advisor about graduation requirements for each degree.
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 creditsMinimum credit hours required for MA program
27
Consult with MA Program
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.
**Once the 59 required minimum credit hours have been completed, the student must complete 6 credit hours of electives that are selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Coursework in introductory research methodology, advance-level policy courses beyond the core, and cognates may satisfy requirements for both schools.
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.
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/MPH)
-
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.
Number of Credits*
Credits must include
Minimum credit hours required for MPP program
33
Core Coursework + 7 PubPol credit hours
Minimum credit hours required for MA program
45
Consult with MHSA Program
Additional credit hours in either program
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.
Number of Credits*
Credits must include
Minimum credit hours required for MPP program
39
Core coursework + PubPol elective credits for a
minimum of 33 PubPol credits. Additional 6
electives can come from any department (including PubPol)Minimum credit hours required for MA program
45
Consult with MPH Program
Total credit hours required for dual degree:
82
*Credit hours listed reflect reduction of minimum hours from each program. No double-counting is permitted.
MPP non-credit requirement:
Students must complete a 10-week summer internship in a policy-related position.Please note:
- Joint degree MHSA/MPP and MPH/MPP students may waive (without petitioning) Statistics (PubPol 529) based on successful completion (B- or higher) of Biostat 501 or Biostat 521.
- 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.
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 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:
- Joint degree MURP/MPP students may waive (without petitioning) Statistics (PubPol 529) based on successful completion (B- or higher) of URP 504 (Introduction to Statistics). Students may waive URP 504 based on successful completion of PubPol 529. Students may also waive URP 509 based on successful completion of Microeconomics A (PubPol 555).
- 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:
- Joint degree MSI/MPP students may waive (without petitioning) Statistics (PubPol 529) based on successful completion (B- or higher) of SI 544 (Introduction to Statistics & Data Analysis). Students may waive SI 544 based on successful completion of PubPol 529.
- 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)
-
Number of Credits*
Credits must include
Minimum credit hours required for MPP program
33
Core coursework + PubPol electives
Minimum credit hours required for SEAS MS program
34
Consult with EAS Program Advisor
Additional credit hours in either program
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.
MPP non-credit requirement:
Students must complete a 10-week summer internship in a policy-related position.Please note:
- Joint degree MS-EAS/MPP students may waive (without petitioning) Statistics (PubPol 529) based on successful completion (B- or higher) of NRE 538 (Natural Resources Statistics). Students may waive EAS 538 based on successful completion of PubPol 529.
- Students can waive PubPol 510 via completion of EAS 562; Students can waive PubPol 555 via completion of EAS 570. All substitutions go in both directions and require a B- or better.
- 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 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:
- Joint degree MAE/MPP students may waive (without petitioning) Micro A (PubPol 555) based on successful completion (B- or higher) of Econ 501 (Applied Microeconomic Theory).
- Joint degree MAE/MPP students may waive (without petitioning) Statistics (PubPol 529) based on successful completion (B- or higher) of Econ 503 (Econometrics).
- Joint degree MAE/MPP students may waive (without petitioning) Applied Econometrics (PubPol 571) or Program Evaluation (PubPol 639) based on successful completion (B- or higher) of Econ 504 (Econometrics for Applied Economics).
- 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)
-
Students must satisfy the degree requirements of each school and should consult with their advisor about graduation requirements for each degree.
Number of Credits*
Credits must include
Minimum credit hours required for MPP program
42
Core + electives to total
36 PubPol credits, plus 6
additional graduate-level elective credits.Minimum credit hours required for MD program
Verify with Medical School
Consult 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.
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.
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.
More information
For prospective students, please use this calendar to schedule appointments.
