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Best Universities offering graduate programs in Public Policy Analysis
What is Masters in Public Policy Analysis?
A master's degree in public policy analysis entails examining public issues with the goal of giving facts and figures about the scope and impact of the government's varied policies. The application of social science theories and methodologies to study issues of public concern is known as public policy analysis.
Master's degree in Public Policy Analysis is offered by 42 American universities. University of Chicago had highest number of international students receiving a Master's degree. University of Chicago had the most women graduates in this program.

The Master in Public Policy (MPP) is a rigorous two-year program that prepares students to understand complex problems and craft concrete solutions. Through courses, exercises and fieldwork, students master concepts and skills that draw on the social sciences but are adapted for action. A defining feature of the MPP is its relevance: Students can take what they learn here, apply it in the real world, and deliver results.
At the heart of the program is a core curriculum that lets you learn across a range of areas. Classes are taught using a combination of traditional lectures and the case method, which was pioneered at Harvard. Students will work with world-renowned faculty members in a collaborative environment. Best of all, your classmates will be as diverse and interesting as the issues you investigate and the problems you solve.
Master in Public Policy
GRE score required at Harvard University master's degree programs in Public Policy Analysis- GRE Required: Yes
- Research assistantships: 864
- Teaching assistantships: 1388
- Financial Aid:

The two-year MPP is a professional degree program designed to develop leaders who put evidence first. In course work, students will build critical thinking and analytical skills in the core curriculum that teach them to make data-driven decisions now and throughout their career. Through applied experiences in Chicago and beyond, students will meet face-to-face with professionals in the field to analyze urgent policy problems and design solutions that work, using the latest science and technology.
The core curriculum draws on a variety of disciplines and fields, including economics, sociology, political science, statistics, econometrics, political economy, organizational theory, and program evaluation, an ideal fit for students seeking a multidisciplinary approach to the study of public policy.
Master of Public Policy (MPP)
GRE score required at University of Chicago master's degree programs in Public Policy Analysis- GRE Required: No
- Research assistantships: 725
- Teaching assistantships: 164
- Financial Aid:

MPA in Economic Policy Management (MPA-EPM), formerly known as the program in Economic Policy Management (PEPM), is designed to equip students with advanced skills regarding economic management and policymaking. Furthermore, this curriculum looks to foster an understanding of current world economic environments, its history, and associated institutions. Through these initiatives, graduates of MPA-EPM should be well-versed in how to apply their knowledge of these areas.
This program centers on two three-semester courses related to Macroeconomic Policy Management and Econometrics which are supplemented by classes in management skills and political economy. Additionally, students may opt for elective courses provided by SIPA as well as other Columbia graduate schools that integrate real-world examples and case studies into their curriculums.
Individuals with a prior graduate degree in economics or a related field may apply to transfer up to twelve credits toward their MPA in Economic Policy Management. Those wishing to pursue this option must contact the MPA-EPM Office before April 1st. The criteria for deciding whether credits qualify for transfer involve evaluating how many courses were part of the graduate program, correlating these courses with those of the MPA-EPM curriculum, and observing the applicant's results.
Successful applicants to MPA-EPM will be awarded a Master of Public Administration degree after meeting necessary requirements. These include a minimum of 54 credits of graduate-level coursework and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Individuals can select from three main areas: Economic Policy Management, Energy & Environment, and Central Banking and Financial Markets.
MPA in Economic Policy Management - School of International and Public Affairs
Columbia University in the City of New York admission requirements for graduate programs in Public Administration And Social Service- GRE Required: Yes
- Research assistantships: 1081
- Teaching assistantships: 1757
- Financial Aid:
213 universities offer the Master's program in Public Policy Analysis.
Which one best suits your need?

The mission of the graduate program in Public Policy is to provide students with the advanced skills necessary to assess the performance of alternative approaches to policy making and implementation, evaluate program effectiveness, understand the political constraints faced by policy-makers, and appreciate the conflicts in fundamental human values that often animate policy debate. After completing the graduate core curriculum, students apply these skills by focusing their studies in a two-quarter, 10-unit practicum for the M.P.P. degree or a 5-unit master's thesis for the M.A. degree. Each student in the M.P.P. program also completes at least one concentration tailored to the student's primary degree program or the student's interests and skills.
Public Policy (MA)
GRE score required at Stanford University master's degree programs in Public Policy Analysis- GRE Required:
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The Ph.D. in Public Policy is an interdisciplinary social science degree. Graduates of the program are prepared for academic positions in public policy, public administration, policy-oriented schools, social science departments, and for professional positions in domestic and international public agencies and research organizations. The program aims to matriculate 6-8 students per year, enabling each student to receive individual faculty attention in courses and in research.
The core of the program is research mentoring with one or more faculty members, as the student becomes expert in an area of inquiry. Initially, the student's research is closely tied to that of faculty members but, by the dissertation, the student becomes an independent scholar. The program requires a two-course sequence in theories of public policy, and coursework in three other social science disciplines. Students designate both a disciplinary concentration such as economics, political science, sociology, or psychology in which they take a minimum of five courses, and a policy focus, such as social policy, globalization and development, health policy, or other policy area. Students interested in environmental policy should apply directly to the University Program in Environmental Policy, but may enroll in Public Policy Ph.D. courses.
Ph.D. in Public Policy
GRE score required at Duke University master's degree programs in Public Policy Analysis- GRE Required:
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The Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP) is a rigorous, eleven-month, ten-course program that prepares professionals with knowledge and skills to use policy to increase equity, promote justice, and forge social change.
In a world experiencing seismic political economic shifts, we are in need of socially-minded and justice-oriented policy professionals able to instill effective, positive change. Policymakers are currently grappling with the dominance of a gaze toward markets for addressing social inequalities and inequities; increasing economic inequality due to the accumulation and movement of global capital; the intensifying rigidity of migration across borders and manufactured fears of those bodies across the border; the continued practices of extraction that is most consequential to natural ecologies, indigenous communities, and the racialized other; growing racial, ethnic, and religious tensions; rapidly shifting social lives due to emergent visual technologies of surveillance; increasing precarity of labor due to automation; and the uncertain shaping of social futures as a result of a global pandemic. Now, more than ever, the world needs critically trained, evidence-informed policy professionals who can address these areas with expertise.
The MSSP program provides students with the interdisciplinary training to produce critically-oriented, evidence-informed policy solutions. The degree offers a combination of theory, policy analysis, and policy research and evaluation methods courses using a variety of analytical methods, as well as the opportunity to gain real-world, practical experience through an internship and via the Data for Equitable Justice Lab. The MSSP program draws on the expertise of world-renowned faculty, including social scientists and policy experts, and emphasizes the value of interdisciplinary perspectives in addressing social problems and finding equitable solutions. The program engages fields such as law, economics, statistics, and communications, among others. Given the increasing need for professionals with intellectually rigorous, ethical approaches to policy, the program combines the policy courses with training in critical theory and philosophy, producing professionals that can think critically and globally.
MS in Social Policy
GRE score required at University of Pennsylvania master's degree programs in Public Policy Analysis- GRE Required:
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Northwestern’s MPPA curriculum offers a unique and comprehensive opportunity to delve into both the administrative and analytical sides of policy. This holistic approach is grounded in the perspective that policy challenges are fluid, interconnected, and global. This perspective gives graduates the tools needed to rise in the field and drive change at the local, national, and international levels.
The MPPA program is offered in part-time and accelerated full-time formats. The part-time option offers a choice of five specializations and a wide range of electives that enable you to create the course of study you need to meet your career goals. You can complete your degree through part-time, nonresidential study or the one-year accelerated option. Whatever you choose, you will learn from experienced, engaged faculty who are thought leaders in their fields.
Master's in Public Policy and Administration- Online or On-campus.
GRE score required at Northwestern University master's degree programs in Public Policy Analysis- GRE Required:
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GSPP offers a doctoral degree program for students who seek careers in policy research in academia and/or with governments, non-profits, or research institutes. Usually only two or three Ph.D. applicants are admitted each year.
The Ph.D. program emphasizes the generation of knowledge, theories, methodologies, and applications appropriate to the advancement of public policy analysis and policy-relevant research. Doctoral students pursue highly individualized programs of study and typically work closely with Goldman faculty members who share the student’s subject matter interest. The doctoral program provides enormous flexibility in the topics addressed and the program of study, but is designed mainly to train social science researchers with an interest in applied policy issues.
A thorough preparation in or aptitude for rigorous policy research is a prerequisite for the doctorate. Because there is no core program of study, the PhD committee prefers applicants who can show some clear evidence of sustained interest in (and aptitude for) public policy and applied research.
Public Policy Doctoral Program
GRE score required at University of California-Berkeley master's degree programs in Public Policy Analysis- GRE Required:
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The Master of Science in Data Science Public Policy (MS-DSPP) is a 39-credit degree program, divided into core (required) courses, elective courses, and seminars. The core courses emphasize analytical skills and core knowledge for designing and managing sound public policy.
The Data Science for Public Policy program hosts Data Science in Action Seminars approximately once every month. These sessions allow students to directly interact with leading experts who are applying data science to important policy challenges.
Master of Science in Data Science for Public Policy
GRE score required at Georgetown University master's degree programs in Public Policy Analysis- GRE Required:
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At the UCLA Department of Public Policy, they take people who are passionate about making a difference in the world and give them the tools they need to do so. This Master of Public Policy program combines the best of traditional policy education with a flexibility and responsiveness that enables us to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world. With a diversified tool kit of quantitative and analytical skills and the flexibility to design their own program of study – while drawing on all the resources of a top research university – UCLA Luskin graduates are equipped to become policy leaders. A set of joint degree programs offer an even broader range of skill and expertise development, and the minor in public policy provides undergraduates with a systematic overview of public policy questions.
The Master of Public Policy is a two year, full time on-ground professional degree program. The curriculum consists of core courses that provide students with general analytic tools that are applicable in all policy areas and culminates in an advanced, team-based final project that prepares students for real-world client interactions. For this final project, the Applied Policy Project (APP), students work together and apply key skills in negotiation, analysis, research, presentation, and persuasion to advocate a “best” answer for a given policy problem.
Master of Public Policy (MPP)
GRE score required at University of California-Los Angeles master's degree programs in Public Policy Analysis- GRE Required:
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What kind of scholarships are available for Graduate Programs in Public Policy Analysis?
We have 12 scholarships awarding up to $132,545 for Masters program in for Public Policy Analysis, targeting diverse candidates and not restricted to state or school-based programs.
Scholarship name | Amount | Credibility |
---|---|---|
QS WM Social Responsibility Scholarship | $10,000 | High |
Lincoln Institute 75 Fellowship for Ethics and Equity in Public Administration | $5,000 | High |
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Academic Scholarship | $4,000 | Medium |
James M. & Erma T. Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program | $1,875 | Medium |
Lex Hester Endowed Fellowship for Public Administration | $1,500 | High |
Find scholarships and financial aid for Public Policy Analysis graduate programs
Which are the accredited universities that offer phd/doctoral programs offered in Public Policy Analysis?
46 universities offer graduate PHD program in Public Policy Analysis
Best Public Policy Analysis graduate PHD programsAre there universities offering online Master's in Public Policy Analysis?
Online Master's degree in Public Policy Analysis is offered by 20 US universities. The tuition for the Master's degree can range from $22,854 per year at Colorado State University-Fort Collins to $61,560 at University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth.
Online Master's in Public Policy AnalysisWhat is the GRE score required for admission to Master's degree in Public Policy Analysis?
Gre score requirements differ from school to school. Most colleges do not publish the cutoff scores. For example 213 universities offer Master's programs in Public Policy Analysis.
Harvard University: GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATIONS (GRE): Official GRE scores are required with your application and test scores must be issued within the past five years.
University of California-Berkeley: All application materials (including official GRE and TOEFL/IELTS scores) are due at by the application deadline of December 1.
Gre score requirements for Master's program in Public Policy AnalysisHow much does it cost to get a Master's in Public Policy Analysis and how to find the most affordable Masters program?
Master's degree in Public Policy Analysis is offered by 210 US universities. The tuition for the Master's degree can range from $8,349 per year at Liberty University to $61,548 at University of Chicago.
The tuition at public universities will be lower for in-state students when compared to private universities but you get more financial aid at private universities.
Most affordable Master's program in Public Policy AnalysisAre there colleges for the Public Policy Analysis Masters program that do not require GRE/GMAT?
Quite a few accredited universities have waived off the GRE score requirements for admissions to Masters programs. 213 offer Graduate programs in Public Policy Analysis. Below are listed 10 universities that do not require GRE/GMAT for admission to Master's program. For viewing the all the schools that have waived off GRE/GMAT for the admission, use Match Me Masters.
No GRE schools for Masters in Public Policy AnalysisAre there any one year masters programs in Public Policy Analysis?
A full-time Master’s program is usually a 2-year program, but there are accredited and Nationally ranked universities that offer 1-year and 18-month Master’s programs. An 18-month program can be completed in one year because if you are able to complete the credit requirements, you can get the degree in 1 year.
11 Universities offer On-campus Masters's Program within One Year - 18 months. The tuition for a Master's can range from $28,686 to $61,548.
On-campus Masters 1 year - 18 months in Public Policy AnalysisIs it worth getting a master's degree in Public Policy Analysis?
Before you invest 2-3 years of your life and anywhere between $40,000 - $110,00 of your hard earned money, students do ask as to what is the return on investment on the Master's degree. Here are some of the statistics from bls.gov.
What does a Public Policy Analysis Masters degree deal with?
A master's degree in public policy analysis entails examining public issues with the goal of giving facts and figures about the scope and impact of the government's varied policies. The application of social science theories and methodologies to study issues of public concern is known as public policy analysis.
What is the Role of a Public Policy Analyst?
Public policy analysts deal with some of society's most pressing challenges, such as crime, education, healthcare, and environmental difficulties. To examine a public policy, analysts start by gathering evidence that highlights the issue. Conducting surveys, getting expert opinions, and investigating specific situations relevant to the problem are all examples of this. The ramifications of new suggested policies are determined by public policy experts.
What can you do with a Masters degree in Public Policy Analysts?
Given their solid expertise in mathematics and economics, masters in public policy analysis can fill a variety of professions. You'll strengthen your organizing and decision-making capabilities as well as your critical thinking skills. Government lawyers, education administrators, government executives and lawmakers, community organizers and activists, public interest advocates, and public lawyers are among the job choices available to students earning a master's in public policy research. A job in public policy allows graduates to create and implement policies that benefit the general public. While pay in public policy careers will naturally reflect the realities of the sector and type of organization with which you work, you should be able to find a mix that drives you to make a difference.
Students who earn a master's degree in public policy analysis can work as an Economic Development Director, Executive Nonprofit Director, Human Resources Director, Public Affairs Director, Public Relations Consultant, Research Director, Budget Analyst, Human Resources Manager, Political Scientist, and other positions.
Public Policy Analysis is projected to grow 3 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than average for all occupations. Median pay for Public Policy Analysis in 2018 was $114,290. The number of jobs were 6350.
How long will it take to get a Masters degree in Public Policy Analysis?
A master's degree in public policy is often a two-year residential program that provides you with a comprehensive understanding of numerous governing options. You can even complete the program in less than two years. There are two options. One is choose the university that offers 12-18 months program or you must have a previously earned credits which can be transferred to you masters program.
What is the difference between Political Science and Public Policy Analysis?
Political science is a broad social science topic that focuses on government systems and the research of political actions and behaviors. Whereas, the public policy analysis is a discipline of political science that deals with public concerns and issues. To address those concerns, policymakers have an impact on legislation at the local, state, and federal levels.
What is the difference between Public Policy and Public Administration?
The standards that government institutions employ to organize their numerous programs and efforts are known as public policies. Public Administration focuses on how public administrators engage with government policy.
Are there Universities that don't require GRE for a Master's Program in Public Policy Analysis?
Many students look for universities that do not require the GRE for a variety of reasons. For example, the George Washington University doesn’t require GRE for its Master of Public Policy program and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor has mage GRE optional fo its MPP program. For more, refer to the list of accredited universities that do not require the GRE for admission to their Master's degree programs in Public Policy Analysis has been compiled by CollegeHippo.
Are there Universities that don't require GRE for an Online Master's Program in Public Policy Analysis?
Most of the online masters programs has made GRE scores as optional post covid. Some of them include University of Pittsburgh, Old Dominion University, Colorado State University-Fort Collins and more.
See Online Masters in Public Policy Analysis No GRE to get the complete list of universities with details.
Masters’ program in Public Policy Analysis: Are they hybrid or in-person?
Due to Covid 19, most universities have suspended classes but they are running the classes online. As soon as the university reopens, you can attend the class in person. But still, there are universities that don’t offer hybrid programs and offer only in-person programs. To find out you can check the university program details listed above.
Is it possible to get an Online Master's degree in Public Policy Analysis from an Accredited University?
Yes, you can earn a master's degree online from a recognized university. For people who are unable to obtain a degree on campus, numerous universities in the United States offer online master's degrees in Public Policy Analysis.
Career Outlook
Employment of political scientists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 700 openings for political scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The median annual wage for political scientists was $125,350 in May 2020. Number of Jobs in 2020 was 7,000.
Employers prefer the candidate with a Master's degree.
Career Opportunities with master's degree in Public Policy Analysis
Job Title | 2020 median Pay | Number of Jobs | Job Outlook | What they do |
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Political Scientists | $125,350 | 7,000 | Employment of political scientists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 700 openings for political scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. | Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. |
Medical and Health Services Managers | $104,280 | 429,800 | Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 32 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 51,800 openings for medical and health services managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. | Medical and health services managers plan, direct, and coordinate the business activities of healthcare providers. |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,560 | 1,276,900 | Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 139,600 openings for postsecondary teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. | Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. |
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,560 | 1,276,900 | Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 139,600 openings for postsecondary teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. | Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,560 | 1,276,900 | Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 139,600 openings for postsecondary teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. | Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. |
Best paying jobs for Public Policy Analysis
How can I compare the Public Policy Analysis Graduate Programs?
Compare the GRE score requirements, admission details, credit requirements and tuition for the Master's Program, from 213 universities offering Graduate School Programs in Public Policy Analysis. Compare Graduate School Programs in Public Policy Analysis
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See On-campus Masters 1 year - 18 months in Public Policy Analysis to find the list of universities.
Let me tell you the easy way for you to find this.
Use our tool Match Me with Masters program. You can use the filter available on this tool and get the list of universities offering program of your choice.
> MA in Public Policy offered by Claremont Graduate University
> Master in Public Policy in Global Affairs offered by Yale University
> M.P.P. Master of Public Policy offered by University of Miami
For the MPP programs, you can find the admission requirements on GRE, GPA requirements for admission to Public Policy Analysis.
And regarding the credit hours required for a MPP program can be found on Best online masters programs in Public Policy Analysis.