The Master of Public Policy (MPP) provides the knowledge and skills students need to be a policy analyst, researcher, or leader for a broad array of public, non-profit, academic, and tribal positions in Alaska and across the North. It provides students with the ability to engage across a broad array of public policy fields and the methodological depth to carry out sophisticated analyses using both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Graduate Degrees.
- Complete a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited institution in the US or foreign equivalent, preferably in a policy discipline, e.g., political science, justice, economics, sociology, anthropology, environmental studies, public health.
- Complete a minimum of 12 credits in baccalaureate-level Microeconomics (3 credits), Macroeconomics (3 credits), Political Science (3 credits), and Descriptive/Inferential Statistics (3 credits) with a minimum grade of B. Provisional admission is possible if this criterion is not met. Provisionally accepted students will be required to complete leveling coursework within a period of one year before admission to regular status in the program is conferred.
- Submit the following additional documentation:
- Minimum B grade point average (3.00 on a 4.00 scale) or equivalent at an accredited college or university, or 3.50 or equivalent for graduate-level work.
- Students with lower than a 3.00 undergraduate GPA may submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The undergraduate GPA plus GRE Analytic score should total 7.0 or higher. The GRE is not required for students having already earned a graduate degree from an institutionally accredited institution in the United States or foreign equivalent, provided they have the minimum GPA listed above.
- A “Statement of Intent,” two to three pages long, outlining prior work and/or policy experience, and academic and career objectives.
- An academic or professional writing sample.
- A resume listing education and employment history, particularly any previous policy experience. Please include three references on the resume.
Acceptance into the program is based on the prospective student’s overall credentials as well as the availability of appropriate faculty for student practica and/or research.
Advising
Prospective graduate students are strongly advised to contact potential research/advisor faculty at an early stage of their admission process. An initial advisor is assigned to students based on interests and other academic criteria.
Academic Requirements
A full-time student in the MPP program is expected to complete a minimum of 9 credits (or 6 in the final semester of coursework) applicable to the program per semester with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Part-time students must complete at least 3 credits per semester and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. Students who fail to satisfy provisional admission conditions may be removed from the program. Leaves of absence may not total more than four semesters.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Graduate Degrees.
- Complete the following program requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete the following courses: | ||
| ECON A625 | Economics and Public Policy | 3 |
| PADM A601 | Introduction to Public Administration and Policy | 3 |
| PADM A604 | Research Methods in Public Administration | 3 |
| PADM A606 | The Policymaking Process | 3 |
| PADM A628 | Public Financial Management | 3 |
| PADM A632 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| or PADM A688 | Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement | |
| PADM A650 | Alaska Policy Studies | 3 |
| PADM A651 | Issues in Arctic Policy | 3 |
| PADM A660 | Public Policy Capstone A | 3 |
| PADM A661 | Public Policy Capstone B | 3 |
| Advisor-approved graduate electives | 6 | |
| Total | 36 | |
A minimum of 36 credits is required for the degree.
Candidacy Requirements
See UAA Advancement to Candidacy requirements. A student advances to candidacy by doing the following:
- Select a graduate studies committee by the end of the second semester of graduate study.
- Submit an official graduate studies plan (GSP) by the end of the first semester of full-time graduate study.
- Complete at least 30 semester credits of non-thesis/non-practicum coursework applicable to the MPP program.
- Demonstrate research or statistical competence needed to complete the degree program (by earning a passing grade of B or higher in PADM A604 or pre-approved equivalent), as approved by a student’s graduate studies committee.
- Receive from the graduate studies committee approval of a thesis/practicum prospectus.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a Master of Public Policy will be able to:
- Lead and manage in public policymaking and governance
- Apply, participate in and contribute to the public policy process
- Create and apply methods and tools to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions across a broad set of policy issues
- Articulate a public service perspective to engaging in public policy work
- Analyze the Alaska and Arctic public policy and economic contexts and how to work successfully within them
- Communicate and interact productively with diverse communities and institutions