Public Policy (MPP)

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is primarily a face-to-face, campus-based program, designed to prepare students for professional careers as policy analysts, policy evaluators, and leaders in the public sector. Students will learn and apply evidence-based public policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation framework in a range of policy domains including urban policy, environmental policy, educational policy, health policy, transportation policy, economic development policy, immigration policy, disaster policy, homeland security policy, science and technology policy, criminal justice policy, and international/global policy. The MPP will serve as a platform to adequately prepare students for doctoral studies in public administration.

Students will enhance and practice their knowledge and skills through the development of various core competencies including public policy and governance, law and economic principles, research methods and tools, program analysis and evaluation, organization management and network analysis, public leadership and decision-making process and specific courses dedicated to unique topics within public policy.

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) consists of 36 credit hours. Each student completes a core of six courses (18 credit hours), one Capstone Experience course (3 credit hours) and an advanced curriculum of electives (15 credit hours).

The face-to-face courses are offered in the evenings during the week at the UCF Downtown campus. The MPP program incorporates group projects in courses intended to develop leadership abilities while also providing an opportunity to demonstrate how students work as part of a team in most courses. These projects promote important intellectual and social skills and help to prepare students for work in a world in which teamwork and collaboration are increasingly the norms.

Total Credit Hours Required: 36 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree

Degree Requirements

Required Core Courses (See Program Details for Course Prerequisites)

• Complete the following:
  • PAD6700 - Research Methods in Public Administration (3)
  • PAD6701 - Analytical Techniques for Public Administration (3)
  • PAD6035 - Public Administration in the Policy Process (3)
  • PAD6307 - Public Policy Analysis and Management (3)
  • PAD6327 - Public Program Evaluation Techniques (3)
  • PAD6616 - Economic Principles for Public Policy and Management (3)

Capstone

• Students will engage in a capstone experience that builds upon the knowledge and skills gained from completing the core courses in the MPP program. Students will complete this requirement through enrollment in PAD 6848 - Policy Analysis Capstone. The Capstone Experience course is offered in fall and spring semesters only and may be taken following the completion of all core courses. It may not be combined with a core course in the same semester.

Course

• Complete the following:
  • PAD6848 - Policy Analysis Capstone (3)

Electives

• Complete at least 3 of the following:
  • PAD5337 - Urban Design (3)
  • PAD6234 - Public Capital and Debt (3)
  • PAD6037 - Public Organization Management (3)
  • PAD6036 - Change Management in Public Organizations (3)
  • PAD6053 - Public Administrators in the Governance Process (3)
  • PAD6227 - Public Budgeting (3)
  • PAD6238 - Revenue Policy and Administration (3)
  • PAD6260 - Fundamentals of Public Sector Accounting (3)
  • PAD6335 - Strategic Planning and Management (3)
  • PAD6439 - Leadership in Public Service (3)

Policy Specialization Electives

• Select from the following courses or courses otherwise approved by the Program Director (3 Credit Hours each). Students take two policy specialization courses to focus on a specific policy domain, including but not limited to Urban Policy, Economic Development Policy, Environmental and Energy Policy, Transportation Policy, Education Policy, Health Policy, Science and Technology Policy, Disaster Policy, and Criminal Justice Policy.

Courses

• Complete at least 2 of the following:
  • PAD5337 - Urban Design (3)
  • PAD5356 - Managing Community and Economic Development (3)
  • CCJ6106 - Policy Analysis in Criminal Justice (3)
  • CCJ6485 - Issues in Justice Policy (3)
  • PAD6339 - Housing Development and Planning (3)
  • PAD6353 - Environmental Planning and Policy (3)
  • PAD6387 - Transportation Policy (3)
  • PAD6398 - Hazard Analysis and Disaster Planning (3)
  • PAD6399 - Foundations of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (3)
  • PHC6146 - Health Planning and Policy (3)
  • PAD6357 - Urban Resilience (3)
  • PAD5930 - Global Cities (3)
  • PAD6036 - Change Management in Public Organizations (3)
  • PAD6826 - Urban Policy and Regional Governance (3)

Grand Total Credits: 36

Application Requirements

For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline. The MPP program is offered as a campus-based classroom (face-to-face) program. Admission is open to those with a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) or in the last 60 hours. Applicants must apply online. Students must submit all required materials by the established deadline. Materials received after the established deadline may not be considered. Admission to this graduate program is competitive; applicants meeting the minimum application requirements are not guaranteed admission to the program.

In addition to meeting general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:

• An official transcript meeting the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), in a sealed envelope, from each college/university attended.
• Three letters of recommendation specifically for the MPP program evaluating scholarly and professional capacity. Letters from professors from the colleges/universities attended are preferred, but if that is not feasible, letters from current or past supervisors will be accepted. The recommender must address the applicant's work ethic and ability to succeed at graduate-level academic work.
• Current professional résumé including public service experience (paid or voluntary).
• Goal Statement: The goal statement is a key component of the admission review process and serves as an example of the applicant's ability to express himself or herself in writing. The goal statement must be no longer than two pages double-spaced (500-800 words) and should address the following:
  • Personal background and career aspirations in public policy or public service.
  • Reason for pursuing graduate study in public policy, including future career goals and plans.
  • Specific areas of public policy that interests you.
• Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only
• All international students must meet university minimum TOEFL score requirements regardless of the language in which the undergraduate program was completed.
• The GRE is not required for admission to this program.

A limited number of students who do not meet the GPA requirements may be admitted on a provisional basis. These students must demonstrate public policy or public administration experience and provide a clear goal statement.

Application Deadlines

*Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.

Financial Information

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.