Master's Degree in Public Policy Analysis
This master's degree teaches how to analyze and design public policies, preparing students for roles in government, research, and nonprofit sectors.
About
The Master's Degree in Public Policy Analysis is designed for students interested in understanding how public decisions are made and how policies impact society. It suits those who want to work in government agencies, think tanks, or NGOs. This degree helps develop skills to evaluate policy effectiveness and propose improvements.
- The program focuses on policy analysis and decision-making processes.
- It is aimed at students with a background in social sciences or related fields.
- Graduates can pursue careers as policy analysts, consultants, or researchers.
- The degree offers a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
- It typically lasts between one and two years.
What you study
The curriculum covers key topics that help students understand and assess public policies. Courses often start with foundational subjects and progress to specialized areas. Practical work is an important part of the training.
- Students study economics, statistics, and policy evaluation methods.
- Advanced courses include program implementation and impact assessment.
- Many programs include case studies and project work to apply theory.
- Students learn to use data analysis tools relevant to policy research.
- Some programs offer opportunities for internships or collaboration with public institutions.
How to get in
Admission to this master's degree typically requires a bachelor's degree, often in social sciences, economics, political science, or related fields. The process is competitive and involves several steps.
- Applicants usually submit academic transcripts and letters of recommendation.
- Some programs require standardized test scores like the GRE.
- Personal statements or essays explaining motivation are common.
- Relevant work or internship experience can strengthen applications.
- Admissions committees look for candidates with strong analytical and communication skills.
Day to day
A typical year includes a mix of lectures, seminars, and practical assignments. Students often work on group projects and may complete internships to gain real-world experience.
- The academic calendar is divided into semesters with regular assessments.
- Students attend lectures and participate in seminars to discuss policy issues.
- Group work involves policy case studies and simulations.
- Internships or fieldwork provide exposure to public institutions.
- Some programs offer part-time or flexible schedules for working students.
Careers this degree leads to
Graduates find opportunities in various sectors where policy expertise is needed. The job market values the ability to analyze complex issues and propose solutions.
- Common roles include policy analyst, researcher, and consultant.
- Employers include government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and think tanks.
- The public sector often seeks experts for program evaluation and policy design.
- Consulting firms may hire graduates to advise clients on regulatory matters.
- Insertion into the workforce is generally smooth for graduates with practical experience.
Careers after further study
These careers require a higher level of study than this degree.
Continuing your studies
After completing this master's degree, students may choose to continue their studies or shift to related fields. Doctoral programs are an option for those interested in research or academia.
- PhD programs in public policy or political science are common next steps.
- Some may pursue additional qualifications in law or business administration.
- Others might specialize further through certificates or short courses.
Where to study this degree (200)
Liste des 200 établissements
- Pitzer CollegeClaremont
- University of Michigan–DearbornDearborn
- RAND School of Public PolicySanta Monica
- Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg
- University of Southern MainePortland
- University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia
- Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton
- University of North DakotaGrand Forks
- The University of Texas at AustinAustin
- Monmouth UniversityWest Long Branch
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff
- Harvard UniversityCambridge
- University of Wisconsin–MadisonMadison
- University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill
- Duke UniversityDurham
- University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor
- Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh
- University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles
- Princeton UniversityPrinceton
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles
- American UniversityWashington
- University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park
- Brandeis UniversityWaltham
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe
- George Washington UniversityWashington
- University of ChicagoChicago
- University of California, RiversideRiverside
- University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis
- Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale
- Georgetown UniversityWashington
- University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville
- George Mason UniversityFairfax
- Temple UniversityPhiladelphia
- Brown UniversityProvidence
- Yale UniversityNew Haven
- University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla
- University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst
- Liberty UniversityLynchburg
- Empire State UniversitySaratoga Springs
- University of MississippiOxford
- Virginia TechBlacksburg
- William & MaryWilliamsburg
- Cornell UniversityIthaca
- Southern Methodist UniversityDallas
- Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick
- University of DelawareNewark
- Trinity CollegeHartford
- Georgia State UniversityAtlanta
- Adler UniversityChicago
- Northwestern UniversityEvanston
- Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta
- Vanderbilt UniversityNashville
- Teachers College at Columbia UniversityNew York
- Pepperdine UniversityMalibu
- University of OklahomaNorman
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh
- Rice UniversityHouston
- University at AlbanyAlbany
- Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg
- University of Massachusetts BostonBoston
- University of Rhode IslandKingston
- University of California-IrvineIrvine
- University of Illinois ChicagoChicago
- Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge
- The University of Texas at DallasRichardson
- Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus
- Barnard CollegeNew York
- Stanford UniversityStanford
- New SchoolNew York
- College of the Holy CrossWorcester
- University of New HampshireDurham
- University of ConnecticutStorrs
- Oregon State UniversityCorvallis
- University of HoustonHouston
- Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park
- Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh
- University of Massachusetts DartmouthNorth Dartmouth
- Regent UniversityVirginia Beach
- Hamilton CollegeClinton
- University of DenverDenver
- Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing
- California Polytechnic State UniversitySan Luis Obispo
- University of RedlandsRedlands
- University of Nevada, Las VegasLas Vegas
- University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimore
- Portland State UniversityPortland
- University of Washington BothellBothell
- Pomona CollegeClaremont
- Jacksonville UniversityJacksonville
- Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook
- University of ArizonaTucson
- Texas A & M University-College StationCollege Station
- American Public University SystemCharles Town
- DePaul UniversityChicago
- California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks
- University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleKnoxville
- York College of PennsylvaniaYork
- Dallas Baptist UniversityDallas
- Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont
- Suffolk UniversityBoston
- University of St. Thomas - TexasHouston
- Mercer UniversityMacon
- St. Mary's College of MarylandSt. Mary's City
- Loyola University ChicagoChicago
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse
- Washington University in St LouisSaint Louis
- Tennessee State UniversityNashville
- University of UtahSalt Lake City
- St. Catherine UniversitySaint Paul
- University of KentuckyLexington
- Niagara UniversityNiagara University
- Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester
- University of Notre DameNotre Dame
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston
- Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia
- California State University, Long BeachLong Beach
- Missouri Southern State UniversityJoplin
- Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore
- Columbia UniversityNew York
- Brigham Young UniversityProvo
- Rutgers University-CamdenCamden
- University of GeorgiaAthens
- Tufts UniversityMedford
- University of ArkansasFayetteville
- Saint Louis UniversitySt Louis
- Knox CollegeGalesburg
- Central Washington UniversityEllensburg
- University of California Hastings College of the LawSan Francisco
- Hofstra UniversityHempstead
- The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio
- Catholic University of AmericaWashington
- Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant
- University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia
- Mount St. Mary's UniversityLos Angeles
- Saint Joseph's UniversityPhiladelphia
- Simmons UniversityBoston
- Rowan UniversityGlassboro
- Ohio University LancasterAthens
- Washington State UniversityPullman
- University of the PacificStockton
- Boston UniversityBoston
- Boise State UniversityBoise
- Augusta UniversityAugusta
- Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgMiddletown
- Southern University Law CenterBaton Rouge
- Ursinus CollegeCollegeville
- University of KansasLawrence
- University of Alaska FairbanksFairbanks
- University of VermontBurlington
- Lehigh UniversityBethlehem
- Dickinson CollegeCarlisle
- University of Saint JosephWest Hartford
- Binghamton UniversityBinghamton
- Young Harris CollegeYoung Harris
- University of Central FloridaOrlando
- Claremont Graduate UniversityClaremont
- Emory UniversityAtlanta
- University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque
- Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia
- University of RochesterRochester
- Rider UniversityLawrenceville
- Thiel CollegeGreenville
- Marshall UniversityHuntington
- Trevecca Nazarene UniversityNashville
- Susquehanna UniversitySelinsgrove
- Bentley UniversityWaltham
- Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington
- Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis
- University of New EnglandBiddeford
- Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown
- Albion CollegeAlbion
- Park UniversityParkville
- Albright CollegeReading
- Chatham UniversityPittsburgh
- Worcester State UniversityWorcester
- University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte
- SUNY CortlandCortland
- Earlham CollegeRichmond
- The University of MontanaMissoula
- University of MiamiCoral Gables
- Bennington CollegeBennington
- Siena CollegeLoudonville
- Capella UniversityMinneapolis
- Oakwood UniversityHuntsville
- University of Pittsburgh at GreensburgGreensburg
- Saint Peter's UniversityJersey City
- Missouri State UniversitySpringfield
- Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo
- University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorage
- Anderson University - South CarolinaAnderson
- Hampshire CollegeAmherst
- Saint Vincent CollegeLatrobe
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego
- Harvey Mudd CollegeClaremont
- Walden UniversityMinneapolis
- Delaware Valley CollegeDoylestown
- Montclair State UniversityMontclair
- Rockhurst UniversityKansas City
Frequently asked questions
What background is needed to apply for this master's degree?
Applicants typically have a bachelor's degree in social sciences, economics, or related fields. Strong analytical and writing skills are important.
Is prior work experience required?
Work experience is not always mandatory but can strengthen your application and help you relate theory to practice.
Are internships part of the program?
Many programs encourage or require internships to give students practical experience in public policy settings.
Can I study this degree part-time?
Some universities offer part-time or flexible schedules, which can be suitable for students who work alongside their studies.
What skills will I gain during this program?
You will develop skills in data analysis, policy evaluation, economic reasoning, and effective communication.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?
Graduates often work as policy analysts, consultants, researchers, or advisors in government, nonprofits, or consulting firms.
Is this degree recognized internationally?
Yes, a master's degree from a US institution is generally recognized internationally, especially in policy-related fields.
Can I continue my studies after this master's degree?
Yes, many graduates pursue doctoral studies or complementary degrees like law or business administration.



























