MPP Suggested Course Timelines

Review our suggested course timelines for the various modalities of the MPP program. Please know that these are only suggested timelines and that students can work with an advisor to complete the program on their own schedule and pace. 

One-Year MPP Suggested Timeline

SUMMER: 9 Credits

Internship can be waived based on experience and replaced with 3 class credits.

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 613Public Policy Seminar3, Online
PUBPOL/SPPSPP Core or Graduate Elective*3, Online
PUBPOL/SPP 598150-hour Summer Internship/Practicum***3, Online

FALL: 13 Credits

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PUBPOL/PUBPOL/SPP 601 or
SPP 611		Politics of the Policy Process OR
Comparative Public Policy (offered in spring)		3
PUBPOL/SPP 614Professional Development Seminar1
PUBPOL/SPP 605Economics and Public Policy3
PUBPOL/SPP 607Policy Methods3
 PUBPOL/SPP Program Elective*3

WINTER: 4 Credits

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
 Graduate Elective (500+ level)1
 PUBPOL/SPP Program Elective*3

SPRING: 11 Credits

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 608Intro. to Statistical Methods for Pub. Policy4
PUBPOL/SPP 603Public Policy Analysis**3
 PUBPOL/SPP Program Elective*3
 Graduate Elective* (500+ level)1

Total Credits: 37

*Students must spread Program Electives among SPP’s categories (Policy, Management, Methods) with at least one elective in each of three categories. See the SPP Requirements document for details. Relevant graduate level courses from other departments may be taken with SPP approval. 
**Economics must be taken before Policy Analysis. 
***The internship may be replaced by a class with an experiential component or client-based project; or, waived based on full time work experience. Students may fulfill the internship requirement without taking the internship class but then must make up the academic credits through additional class(es). No internship academic credits will be awarded for an internship without the class.

4+1 MPP Suggested Timeline

SENIOR YEAR: 7 Credits

12 credits (500+ level) can double count towards your undergraduate degree and the MPP.
The Policy Seminar is the only course that is required for senior year but we recommend
students take at least three graduate courses before the graduate year.

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 613Public Policy Seminar3
PUBPOL/SPPSPP Core or Graduate Elective*3
PUBPOL/SPP 614Professional Development Seminar1

SUMMER: 3 Credits

Students find a 150-hour internship and get academic credit for it.

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 598Summer Internship/Practicum***3 Online

FALL: 14 Credits

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 601 or
PUBPOL/SPP 611		Politics of the Policy Process OR
Comparative Public Policy		3
PUBPOL/SPP 605Economics and Public Policy3
PUBPOL/SPP 607Policy Methods3
 PUBPOL/SPP Program Elective*3
 Graduate Elective* (500+ level)2

SPRING: 13 Credits

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 608Intro. to Statistical Methods for Pub. Policy4
PUBPOL/SPP 603Public Policy Analysis**3
 PUBPOL/SPP Program Elective*3
 Graduate Elective* (500+ level)3

 

Total Credits: 37

Notes:
*Students must spread Program Electives among PUBPOL's categories (Policy, Management, Methods) with at least one three-credit elective in each of three categories. See the course distribution list here. Relevant graduate level courses from other departments may be taken with SPP approval.

**Economics must be taken before Policy Analysis.

***The internship may be replaced by a class with an experiential component or client-based project; or, waived based on full time work experience. Students may fulfill the internship requirement without taking the internship class but then must make up the academic credits through additional class(es). No internship academic credits will be awarded for an internship without the class.

Part-Time Online MPP Timelines

Summer Start Suggested Timeline

Summer I**: 3 Credits

Course #                             Course NameCredits 
PUBPOL/SPP 613                    Public Policy Seminar                                            3

Fall I: 6 Credits

Course #Course NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 607Policy Methods3
PUBPOL/SPP XXXPUBPOL/SPP Program Elective*3 

Winter I**: 3 Credits 

Course #Course NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP XXXPUBPOL/SPP Program Elective* 3 

Spring I: 7 Credits

Course #Course NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 605                  Economics and Public Policy****                              3
PUBPOL/SPP 614 Professional Development Seminar1
 PUBPOL/SPP Program Elective*3 

Summer II**: 6 Credits

Course #                             Course NameCredits 
PUBPOL/SPP XXX                  PUBPOL/SPP Program Elective* or SPP 598 Internship/Practicum***                                                                             3
PUBPOL/SPP 601

Politics of the Policy Process

(or PUBPOL/SPP 611 Comparative Public Policy if available)                 

3

Fall II: 6 Credits

Course #Course NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 603Public Policy Analysis3
 PUBPOL/SPP Program Elective* or other Graduate Elective3 

Winter II**: 3 Credits 

Course #Course NameCredits
 PUBPOL/SPP Program Elective* or other Graduate Elective 2-3 

Spring II: 3 Credits

Course #Course NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 608                  Intro. to Statistical Methods for Public Policy                            3

Total Credits: 37

Spring Start Suggested Timeline

Spring I**: 6 Credits

Course #                             Course NameCredits 
PUBPOL/SPP 605                    Economics and Public Policy                                                                        3
PUBPOL/SPP XXXPUBPOL/SPP Program Elective (Policy, Methods or Management) 3

Summer I: 3 Credits

Course #                             Course NameCredits 
PUBPOL/SPP 601/XXX                    PUBPOL/SPP 601 Politics of the Policy Process (or PUBPOL/SPP 611 if available) or PUBPOL/SPP Elective                                                                          3

Fall I: 6 Credits

Course #Course NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 607Policy Methods3
PUBPOL/SPP XXXPUBPOL/SPP Program Elective*3 

Winter I**: 3 Credits 

Course #Course NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP XXXPUBPOL/SPP Program Elective* 3 

Spring II: 5 Credits

Course #Course NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 608                Intro. to Statistical Methods for Pub. Policy                                4
PUBPOL/SPP 614 Professional Development Seminar1

Summer II**: 6 Credits

Course #                             Course NameCredits 
PUBPOL/SPP XXX                  PUBPOL/SPP Program Elective* or SPP 598 Internship/Practicum***                                                                             3
PUBPOL/SPP 613Public Policy Seminar3

Fall II: 6 Credits

Course #Course NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP 603Public Policy Analysis3
PUBPOL/SPP XXXPUBPOL/SPP Program Elective* or other Graduate Elective3 

Winter II**: 3 Credits 

Course #Course NameCredits
PUBPOL/SPP XXXPUBPOL/SPP Program Elective* or other Graduate Elective 2-3 

Total Credits: 37 

Notes:

*Students must spread Program Electives among SPUBPOL/SPP’s categories (Policy, Management, Methods) with at least one three-credit SPP elective in each of three categories. See the distribution list here. Relevant graduate level courses from departments around campus may be taken with SPP approval.
**Winter or Summer Sessions can be skipped based on student preference.
***The internship may be replaced by a class with an experiential component or client-based project; or, waived based on full time work experience. Students may fulfill the internship requirement without taking the internship class but then must make up the academic credits through additional class(es). No internship academic credits will be awarded for an internship without the class.
****Economics must be taken before Policy Analysis