Public Policy MS

Major: Public Policy
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 44.0501
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-1031

About the Program

Drexel’s MS in Public Policy (MPP) is similar in its core curriculum to a Master of Public Administration (MPA) as it is designed for people who work, or who would like to work, for government or a nonprofit organization. It is innovative and distinct in at least two key respects: Its focus on case study research and its distinct tracks of specialization.

The program has a required core curriculum of nine courses specifically designed for students to:

• Develop an understanding of the social, political, and ethical context of policy research
• Conceptualize, design, and conduct research for policy purposes, as well as comprehensively analyze existing research
• Understand the history of public policy institutions in America and the management and governance of nonprofit organizations

In addition to the core courses, the program has a focus on case study research as a unifying element of the curriculum. Students are required to choose a specific case study topic that they will work on typically for three terms during the program. By the end of the program, students will have produced a polished, in-depth analysis of a specific case that they can use to demonstrate expertise in a given policy area.

Specialization Tracks: With the approval and support of the program director, students can craft a specialized course of study with their three electives or they can take courses in the following:

• Economic Policy
• Education Policy
• Environmental Policy
• Health Policy
• Information Policy
• Nonprofit Management

Additional Information

For more information, view the Center for Public Policy page on the College of Arts and Sciences website. For current Drexel Thomas Kline School of Law students, please see the page on joint JD-MS Public Policy degrees for more information.

Admission Requirements

Acceptance for graduate study at Drexel University requires a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent international institution. There is no pre-requisite undergraduate major or specific coursework. Although admission requirements vary by program, regular acceptance typically requires a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate work. The GPA for any graduate work must be at least 3.0.

The admission committee evaluates all credentials submitted by applicants to determine a student’s ability and potential to succeed in graduate study.  Applicants to this program should also include their intended area of focus (see the admissions page for the essay prompt) and are often contacted for an information interview. The committee is interested in the applicant’s ability to contribute to their program of study and to the University community as a whole.

Drexel is extending the same scholarship opportunities to Master of Science in Public Policy students who enroll in 8.0 credits that are usually only available for full-time programs (minimum enrollment of 9.0 credits for full-time status).

Additional Information

Visit the Graduate Admissions website for more information about requirements and deadlines, as well as instructions for applying online.

Degree Requirements

Students take required courses for the MS in Public Policy from multiple schools within Drexel University, including the Center for Public Policy in the College of Arts and Sciences, the LeBow College of Business, and the College of Computing and Informatics.

Students are required to receive a grade of “B” or better in all core coursework in order to fulfill the requirements of the MS in Public Policy degree and be eligible for graduation. This policy is in addition to the Drexel University Graduate College policy that requires all graduate students to maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA per term as well as an overall 3.0 GPA for graduation purposes.

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Elective courses are taught under the PLCY T580 Special Topics in Public Policy, or one of the participating departments. Students are required to take three 3-credit graduate level courses to fulfill the electives requirement. Public Policy students are able to select any graduate level courses (pending department approval) to create an electives "track" based on their own interests. Students have taken this opportunity to explore areas such as Education Policy, Environmental Policy and Urban Systems.

Sample Plan of Study

Public Policy Faculty