The University of Massachusetts Amherst

Public Policy & Regional Planning

The MPPA/MRP program prepares students for meaningful and effective careers at the national, state, and local levels in public policy, management, and economic development and planning.

Students may begin their studies in either program. It is best to complete a full year in one program before beginning the second program. Students fulfill the core requirements of the other program during the second year, then fulfill the remaining requirements of both programs in the third year.

Sample Program Timetable

Fall Spring Summer  
Year 1 MPPA curriculum MPPA curriculum MPPA summer internship (ten weeks, full time)
Year 2 MRP curriculum MPPA/MRP curriculum  
Year 3 MRP curriculum MPPA Capstone/MRP Thesis  

To Apply

While applicants must meet both the Department of Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning's and the School of Public Policy's admission standards, students only need to submit one application to the Graduate Admissions Office. Students already enrolled in one of the programs can apply to the other program during their first year to matriculate as a dual-degree MPPA/MRP candidate.

Deadline: February 1

For More Information

Michael Marr
Recruitment and Admissions Manager
School of Public Policy
mlmarr@umass.edu
(413) 577-2396

Mark Hamin
Senior Lecturer of Regional Planning
Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning
mhamin@larp.umass.edu
(413) 545-6608