Degree Requirements
The master of public policy (MPP) is a two-year, 60-quarter-hour program. Students must complete:
- 60 quarter-hours of MPP-approved credits with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- 7 core courses (28 hours)
- 6 Great Issues Forums (12 hours)
- Policy Memorandum Research Credit (4 hours)
- electives (16 hours)
- optional internship (up to 5 hours)
- optional independent study (up to 5 hours)
CORE COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- PPOL 4100 The American Public Policy System
- PPOL 4400 Analytical and Critical Skills
- PPOL 4600 Regulatory Policy
- PPOL 4700 Public Management and Budgeting
- PPOL 4200 Microeconomics for Public Policy Analysis (Quantitative Series 1/3)
- PPOL 4300 Quantitative Methods for Public Policy Analysis (Quantitative Series 2/3)
- PPOL 4500 Cost-Benefit Analysis (Quantitative Series 3/3)
COURSES IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS
Students may earn elective credits from other DU departments if approved by the director in advance.
GREAT ISSUES FORUMS
The Great Issues Forums are a series of policy seminars focused on the nation's most important current issues. The Graduate Program in Public Policy offers five of these two-day, full-day courses every year for 2 quarter hours of credit each. Students must complete six forums (12 hours) to earn the MPP. The topics of these seminars rotate frequently, as expertise and events warrant, and are an integral part of the MPP program. (See course descriptions for a list of previous forums.)
POLICY MEMORANDUM
As the capstone project of the MPP experience, the Policy Memorandum integrates the knowledge and skills learned in and outside the classroom. The Policy Memorandum provides an opportunity to experience firsthand the type of practical and professional work often required of a policy analyst. Students identify and define a real-world policy issue; analyze the issue by conducting research, gathering data and interviewing professionals with opposing views; analyze the costs and benefits of the issue; and recommend courses of action.