Bachelor's/Master of Public Policy

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Jumpstart your career in public policy by gaining both an understanding of the policy world and the professional tools to make a difference.

The dual bachelor's with a Master of Public Policy allows you to earn both degrees in less time and is more cost-effective than if you pursued them independently. Benefit from the in-depth and multi-lens understanding of society and the policy world that is explored in our bachelor's program, and gain the analytical and professional tools in our master's program that you need to launch a career solving pressing policy challenges. Take advantage of our location in the Washington, D.C. region to engage directly in local, national and international policymaking.

Highlights

Earn a bachelor's and master's degree in as few as five years and at lower cost by double-counting up to 18 pre-approved credits toward both degrees
Combine the disciplinary breadth of your undergraduate program with the specialized skills of a master's degree to be an effective and capable policy professional
Access the internship, event and networking opportunities of the Washington, D.C. region and go beyond the classroom into the heart of policymaking

Meet with your Primary Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Program Structure

The dual degree program allows you to double-count 18 credits of graduate course work toward your undergraduate degree, with these credits taken as an undergraduate student at undergraduate tuition rates (saving you 18 credits of graduate-level tuition rates). The remaining 30 credits required to earn the Master's degree are taken as a graduate student, and can be completed in one year by taking 12 credits in both the fall and spring semesters and 6 credits in the summer or winter terms. By double-counting credits as an undergraduate student, and taking some courses during the summer or winter terms, you are able to complete the Master's degree with only one additional year of school.

Eligible Courses

Students are able to take up to 18 credit pre-approved eligible courses. Four of the 3-credit courses are from the core governance and quantitative skills sequence. For the credits to count towards the MPP master's degree, students must earn a minimum of a B- or higher.

GOVERNANCE SEQUENCE

PLCY630 (formerly PLCY688E) Normative and Political Dimensions of Public Policy (3 credits)
PLCY631 (formerly PLCY688G) Governance: Leadership, Management & Accountability (3 credits)

QUANTITATIVE SKILLS SEQUENCE

PLCY640 Microeconomic and Policy Analysis (3 credits)
PLCY610 Quantitative Aspects of Public Policy (3 credits)

When taking the courses as an undergrad there is a preferred order for students to take each course. Students may take courses beginning the first semester of acceptance or wait until the following semester. It is advised that students take PLCY630 (formerly PLCY688E) first followed with quantitative skills sequence course PLCY610. When taking PLCY631 (formerly PLCY688G) it is recommended that students take PLCY640.

Graduate electives that are counted in your 18 credits may have a preferred sequence depending on the specialization. Specializations are not required for students pursuing an MPP, however, electives are required to fulfill the 48 credits of the MPP program.

Read more about our specializations offerings. Each specialization has a preferred sequence with core foundational courses and electives. We recommend checking out the info of the specialization and choosing the core specialization courses to start off with as a Bachelor's/MPP student.

Eligibility

If you are pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy or certain majors within the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences(economics, government and politics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, geography, criminology and criminal justice or African American studies), you can apply as part of a pre-existing structured program. If you are pursuing any other major, you must apply for an individualized program and have the permission of both your primary undergraduate major department and the School of Public Policy.

All students must schedule a meeting with their respective undergraduate Academic Advisor prior to discuss your program course of study before applying.

Required Qualifications

Demonstrate a strong commitment to public service
Have declared a major in Public Policy or an approved BSOS major
Shown academic success in core courses to respective major of Public Policy or BSOS
Students are first eligible to apply when they are within two months of completing at least 60 credits with a cumulative 3.5 GPA, you may apply later
Students are required to take ECON 200 AND STAT 100 with a grade of C or better or equivalent before registering for graduate-level PLCY courses

Application Process & Admissions Deadlines

Please complete the program application. Questions can be emailed to Graduate Student Affairs at policy-BAMPPprogram@umd.edu. Recommendations can be provided electronically

Application
Statement of Purpose
2 Letters of Recommendation from faculty members
Transcript (unofficial is okay for the initial application process) . Official transcripts will be needed at the time of enrolling into the MPP program full time.
Resume
U.achieve Audit (a PDF version is acceptable and may be sent directly by the student)

Admissions Deadlines

Fall Admission:

Early: April 15
Final: July 1

Spring Admission:

Early: December 1
Final: January 7

Get Started

Sample Plan of Graduate Courses (taken as an undergraduate)

Semester 1 [ 630 (formerly 688E), 610, and a qualifying MPP elective*]

Semester 2 [ 631 (formerly 688G), 640, and qualifying MPP elective*]

Note: Electives may have a preferred sequence depending on specialization of choice.

Questions?

View frequently asked questions and for anything additional, contact us at policy-BAMPPprogram@umd.edu.

Explore our Master of Public Policy View our master's specializations