Master of Public Policy (MPP)

Our Master of Public Policy curriculum is rigorous, interdisciplinary, and hands-on.

• Policy analysis: The Ford School is the nationally recognized leader in quantitative policy analysis, with a carefully sequenced core curriculum in microeconomics, statistics, and quantitative program evaluation.
• Political and ethical analysis: Core courses teach a sophisticated understanding of public policy institutions and political processes and also explore the key role of values and ethics in public policy design.
• Communication: We offer outstanding writing instruction and tutoring; skills modules in public presentation, social media, strategic communication, working with the press, data visualization, and more.
• Leadership: Core and elective courses focus on key issues in public/nonprofit management and effective leadership. Numerous co-curricular leadership development opportunities are also available, including leadership assessments; workshops; panels; access to top policymakers; executive coaching; and serving in leadership roles in student orgs, schoolwide committees, and public service initiatives.

Core curriculum learning objectives

Master of Public Policy students will:

• acquire and demonstrate the analytic skills necessary for successful policy analysis
• develop a sophisticated understanding of public policy institutions and processes (broadly defined to include economic, political, and other)—and the implications these have for policy development and implementation
• develop, practice, and refine communication skills appropriate to the policy arena
• develop and refine leadership, management, and decision-making skills
• demonstrate ability to integrate analytic, institutional, communication, and management skills

Integrated in several core courses in the curriculum is increased attention to structural racism/institution discrimination, and the historical and current role of public policy in both addressing and also reinforcing/codifying structural racism and social inequalities.

All MPP students who enroll starting in fall 2026 and later are required to complete the following core courses (24.5 credits):

• Politics of Public Policy (PubPol 510, 3 credits)
• Statistics (PubPol 529, 3 credits)
• Microeconomics for Public Policy (PubPol 555, 3 credits) and one of the following courses:
  • PubPol 558: Economic Analysis in the Practice of Public Policy (3 credits)
  • PubPol 534: Economics of Developing Countries (3 credits)
  • PubPol 556: Macroeconomics (3 credits)
  • PubPol 744: Economics and the Public Sector (3 credits)
• Values, Ethics, and Public Policy (PubPol 580, 3 credits)
• Public Management (PubPol 588, 3 credits)
• Integrated Policy Exercise (PubPol 638, 1 credit)
• Quantitative Methods of Program Evaluation (PubPol 639, 3 credits)
• One of the following courses focused on communication and leadership:
  • Leading Organizations (PubPol 582, 3 credits)
  • Negotiations (Pubpol 583, 1.5 credits)
  • Conflict Resolution (PubPol 589, 1.5 credits)
• MPP Integrated Learning Experience (PubPol 500, 1 credit)

Please note:

• Students with preparation in statistics and/or microeconomics may waive PubPol 529 and/or PubPol 555 respectively by passing waiver exams that are offered during orientation.
• If you are waived from a core course, you must complete an additional elective Ford School course. Waived courses are not counted toward the 48 credits required for the degree.
• The Ford School follows the Rackham Graduate School's policy on the assignment of credit hours.
• Not all core courses are offered in every semester. Students should work with the academic advisor to ensure their course plans will meet degree requirements.

Ford School electives include courses on the history and future of Detroit; the economics of developing countries; strategic consulting; the psychology of climate change; smart cities and mobility; thinking about crime, poverty, and inequality; cybersecurity policy; the economics of education; and more.

With low administrative barriers between schools, students can easily combine their policy courses with electives offered by U-M's outstanding professional schools—including law, business, education, and urban planning—and top-ranked social science departments.

One quarter (25%) of Ford School credits can be taken outside of the school.

Students gain depth in an area of interest and passion through optional policy concentrations, which require 9-12 credits and are formally recognized on transcripts. We offer policy concentrations in 7 core Ford School strengths:

Public policy analysis methods

Faculty lead: Brian Jacob
Focus: Applied methods and skills for rigorous policy analysis and research
Requirements: 9 credits; PubPol 774 or 779 plus 6 additional credits

Public and non-profit management

Faculty lead: Megan Tompkins-Stange
Focus: Knowledge and skills related to the operation, management and leadership of public and non-profit organizations
Requirements: 9 credits beyond management requirement in the core curriculum
(Note: Students are required to take a section of the core management course, PubPol 588 (or 586/587), with Megan Tompkins-Stange or Amy Beck Harris)

Social policy

Faculty lead: Paula Lantz
Focus: Knowledge and policy analysis skills related to key areas of social policy
Requirements: 9 credits; no required courses

International policy

Faculty lead: Jonathan Hanson
Focus: Knowledge and policy analysis skills related to diplomacy, national security, human rights
Requirements: 12 credits 
Strongly Recommended: International affairs or comparative politics section of PubPol 510: Politics of Public Policy

International economic development

Faculty lead: Yusuf Neggers
Focus: Knowledge and policy analysis skills related to economic and social development
Requirements: 9 credits; PubPol 534 plus 6 additional credits

Science, technology, and public policy

Faculty lead: Shobita Parthasarathy
Focus: Knowledge and policy analysis skills related to technology, science, public policy, and society
Requirements: 9 credits; PubPol 650 plus 6 additional credits

Environmental, climate, and energy policy

Faculty Lead: Catie Hausman
Focus: Knowledge and policy analysis skills related to key areas of environmental, climate, and energy policy
Requirements: 9 credits; no required courses

Learn more about our policy concentrations.

The University of Michigan is home to 19 graduate schools and colleges, offering over 250 degree programs and 52 graduate certificate programs—with remarkably low barriers between schools.

The Ford School offers dozens of dual degree options, making it easy to tailor your MPP experience and gain interdisciplinary perspectives. Common dual degree pairings include:

• Business Administration (MBA/MPP)
• Law (JD/MPP)
• Public Health (MPH/MPP, MHSA/MPP)
• Social Work (MSW/MPP)
• Urban and Regional Planning (MURP/MPP)
• Information (MSI/MPP)
• Higher Education (MA/MPP)
• Environment and Sustainability (MS/MPP)
• Applied Economics (MAE/MPP)
• Medicine (MD/MPP)

Additional dual degree options are available across U-M’s graduate programs. Most dual degree programs can be completed in approximately three years (four for Law/MPP; five for Medicine/MPP). Students typically spend one year in each program, then a final year blending coursework from both. It's not necessary to decide on a dual degree before enrolling—many students apply to their second program after arriving at Michigan. Our academic advisors can support you throughout the application process.

Dual degree students must satisfy the requirements of both schools. In most cases, credit reductions are available, but no double-counting of credits is permitted. All MPP students—including dual degree students—must complete a 10-week policy-related internship and at least one Integrated Policy Exercise (IPE) during their studies.

Graduate Certificate Programs

In addition to dual degrees, U-M hosts 52 graduate certificate programs that let students integrate high-quality interdisciplinary resources into their education. Certificates include specialties like:

• Data Science
• Complex Systems
• Environmental Justice
• African Studies
• Survey Methodology
• Sustainability
• Spatial Analysis
• Healthy Cities
• ...and many more

Science, Technology, and Public Policy (STPP) Certificate: Offered by the Ford School, this interdisciplinary program is open to master's and doctoral students looking to deepen their understanding of the intersection of science, technology, and policy.

"Being able to bring together different skill sets and knowledge bases—public policy and public health, in my case—is valuable to the people and organizations I work for; they get two perspectives and sets of expertise for the price of one. A dual degree can be uniquely beneficial.”
—Zara Ahmed (MPP/MPH '09)

As part of the Ford School’s Master of Public Policy program, all students complete a required, 10-week, policy-focused internship between their first and second year. This immersive experience lets you apply your classroom learning to real-world policy challenges—building critical skills and professional connections in the public, nonprofit, or private sector.

• Comprehensive support for your internship search: Work one-on-one with the Ford School’s dedicated Career Services team to identify opportunities that match your interests and career aspirations. Receive personalized guidance and leadership coaching every step of the way.
• Financial assistance for unpaid or low-paid positions: Access funding through generous donor support, helping ensure that all students—regardless of financial background—can pursue meaningful and relevant internships.
• Extensive network of partners: Benefit from strong pipelines and employer partnerships with agencies and organizations such as the City of New York, the United Nations Refugee Agency, Deloitte, and many more public, nonprofit, and private sector organizations across the U.S. and internationally.
• Direct application of your skills: Ford School MPP students have interned in 32 states and 22 countries, working on critical policy issues, building networks, and gaining practical experience that shapes their career paths.

Whether you are seeking your required MPP internship or launching a full-time career post-graduation, the Ford School equips you with the skills, resources, and professional connections you need to succeed. For support and details, connect with our Career Services team and academic advisors.

The Ford School community is dedicated to your success in and out of the classroom. As an MPP student, you’ll benefit from:

• Personalized academic advising: One-on-one support with degree planning, course selection, and professional development.
• Dedicated writing center: Writing workshops, individual coaching, and tutoring for policy memos, papers, and communications.
• Leadership development: Opportunities for executive coaching, leadership workshops, and involvement in student-led initiatives and committees.
• Access to a broad campus network: Take part in U-M’s vibrant student organizations, events, and professional development programs.
• Supportive community: Engage with peers, faculty, and alumni who share your commitment to public service and policy impact.

Learn more about the Ford School difference.

• Credit requirements: Our MPP degree requires a minimum of 48 credits, including all core courses and approved electives.
• Waived courses: Students may waive core requirements in microeconomics and statistics with approved exams, but must replace waived credits with Ford School electives.
• Credit from other U-M units: Up to 25% of total credits may be earned in courses offered by other top-ranked U-M programs.
• Rackham Graduate School policies: The Ford School follows Rackham’s policies for credit assignment, dual/joint degrees, and academic progress. For full policy details visit Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies webpage.
• Advising: Academic advisors support you in understanding and meeting all program and university requirements.

For full policy details, please consult the Rackham Graduate School Academic Policies.

• Schedule an appointment with our admissions team to discuss your goals and the application process.
• Chat with Cara or Elizabeth—current Ford School students serving as Graduate Admissions Assistants—for insight and advice from a student’s point of view.
• View detailed requirements and deadlines on our admissions page.

Our academic advisors are available to support applicants throughout the process.