Master of Public Policy Core Curriculum

A minimum of 54 quarter credit hours are required for graduation, 34 credits in required core courses and 20 credits in the preferred area of concentration: Economic Policy, Energy Policy, Environmental Policy, International Policy, Law and Crime Policy, Rural Policy, Social Policy, or a Graduate Certificate. A one to ten-credit optional internship is also available for students with little to no professional experience.

Do you need an override into a graduate-level PS, PPOL, ECON, or SOC course? 
Request an override

 

Required Core Courses:

Course Number Course Title

ECON 517

Microeconomic Theory for MPP Students [4 credits; for students without microeconomics background-prereq for ECON 524 and ECON 539; counts as elective credits]

ECON 524

Introduction to Econometrics [4 credits]

ECON 539

Public Policy Analysis [4 credits]

PPOL 511

Public Organizations and Leadership [4 credits]

PPOL 512

Public Policy Theory [4 credits]

PPOL 507

Professional Development Seminar for First-Year Students [1 credit]

PPOL 521

Understanding Social Research [4 credits]

PPOL 522 or
PPOL 523

Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis [4 credits] - or- PPOL 523-Qualitative Research Methods [4 credits]

PPOL 554 

Public Policy Through the Lens of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion [1 credit]

PPOL 501

MPP Applied Policy Lab Capstone Course [4 credits]

34 credits subtotal for core courses

Capstone Course:

As a public policy master’s student, you’ll complete an 11-week policy lab capstone course, in which students work in teams to conduct policy research and analysis for an OSU School of Public Policy client partner. This collaborative effort challenges you and your classmates to apply methods and theory knowledge to emerging and relevant policy topics.
  
The policy research skills and knowledge you gain will be broadly applicable toward your career. At the conclusion of the course, you will present your findings and be evaluated on your contribution and quality of work. Each student will be assessed individually.