Start working towards your MPP while still an undergrad!

In the Accelerated Master's Platform (AMP), you can take graduate classes in public policy, apply those credits to major requirements, and transfer them to the Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree. Up to 22 graduate credits will count towards your bachelor's degree and transfer to the MPP program.

The AMP is an excellent opportunity for students who want to get a head start on their Master of Public Policy degree and are passionate about bringing the skills they'll need to engage with and support ethical and equitable policy decisions at all levels of government from the local to the global.

Why Public Policy?

As a student in the AMP, you will learn from world-class scientists working on issues significant to 21st-century citizens. As populations become more connected and interdependent, these issues promise to affect us more broadly, quickly, and with more impact than ever before. New forms of governance and problem-solving are being tested and studied at OSU to address these issues. As a graduate of the MPP interdisciplinary program, you will learn to integrate groundbreaking science into emerging policies, practices, and understandings of the world that will impact and influence local, regional, and international policy decisions.

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) offers students the flexibility to explore topics ranging from energy policy, environmental policy, international policy, law and crime policy, rural policy, and social policy or design their unique concentration.

What can you do with a master's degree in public policy?

Public policy professionals, such as policy analysts or political scientists, may work in nonprofit agencies lobbying for their organizations. Government agencies also employ policy analysts and legislative analysts in various roles. Private businesses may need individuals with a public policy background to help them craft strategies on legislation and political action that affect their interests. An advanced degree that provides a strong experience in public policy analysis, politics, and research methods and survey research serves as a gateway to these career opportunities. An advanced degree provides expertise in public policy analysis, politics, and research methods and is a launch pad to many career opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Before applying, you must meet with the Graduate Program Coordinator, Erin Heim. Schedule an appointment with Erin: Future Public Policy Graduate Students.
  • You will then work with your undergraduate academic advisor to plan which courses to take to satisfy your undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
  • After completion and approval of the AMP readiness form, which you will get from the Graduate Program Coordinator, you will apply to the AMP through the Graduate School's Application using a code provided by the Graduate Program Coordinator.
  • To apply you'll need the following:
    • Statement of Purpose
    • Resume
    • Three letters of reference
    • Proposed plan of study (what courses will be taken at the graduate level)
    • Application code, which routes you to the free AMP application, instead of the MPP application. 

 

  • Interested students should talk to their academic advisor and the Graduate Program Coordinator, Erin Heim, no later than their junior year.
  • Eligible undergraduate students apply in their junior year (at least four terms before your anticipated graduate term). Complete the online application via the Graduate School.
  • Up to twenty-two graduate credits can be taken during senior year and will count towards the bachelor’s degree and the MPP. Upon completing the undergraduate degree, AMP students are enrolled in the MPP if they earned a B or better in all graduate-level coursework and maintained an overall 3.0 OSU GPA.
  • If you have more questions, visit the Graduate School’s Frequently Asked Questions for the Accelerated Master's Platform page or contact Erin Heim.

If you meet the criteria below, you are eligible!

  • Enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate student at Oregon State University either Ecampus or Corvallis campus (post-bac students are not eligible).
  • Have completed at least 105 credits of the required 180 credits for a bachelor's degree at the time of application. This is equivalent to junior standing.
  • A minimum OSU 3.25-grade point average for completed OSU undergraduate coursework.
  • Meet the English language proficiency standards per the Graduate Catalog.
  • International students will need a proper visa/I-20 once the graduate program starts.

To learn more about how the AMP in public policy, contact the School of Public Policy Graduate Program Coordinator, Erin Heim.

SENIOR YEAR (16 credits)

 

Credits

Elective 1

 

4

Elective 2

 

4

Elective 3

 

4

Elective 4

 

4

Elective 5

 

4

PPOL 507

 

1

PPOL 554

 

1

YEAR 1

 

 

Fall Quarter (13 credits)

 

 

PPOL 511

 

4

ECON 517

 

4

PPOL 521

 

4

Winter Quarter (13 credits)

 

 

PPOL 512

 

 

ECON 524

 

 

ECON 539

 

 

Spring Quarter (12 credits)

 

 

PPOL 522 or PPOL 523

 

4

PPOL 501 or PPOL 503

Capstone Course or Thesis

4

 

TOTAL CREDITS

54

Internship Option

AMP MPP students must complete core coursework before enrolling in internships.

8 credits maximum

Optional Certificate Course(s)

AMP MPP Students wanting a graduate certificate may need to take an additional course(s) to get to 18+ credits for the certificate.

 

Graduate education encompasses research, study, and teaching beyond the bachelor’s degree. While undergraduate education leads to a bachelor’s degree, graduate education leads to a master’s degree and/or a doctorate, also called a doctoral degree.

Often, graduate degrees help people advance further in their careers and earn more over a lifetime. Some fields require graduate degrees, while others encourage them. Students may pursue a graduate degree immediately upon completing a bachelor’s or return to graduate school later.

Undergraduate coursework typically includes classes in general education subjects, such as math, science, and humanities, as well as classes in your chosen major. Undergraduate coursework is designed to provide students with a broad-based education and a foundation of knowledge in their chosen field.

Graduate coursework, on the other hand, refers to the level of study a student completes after earning a bachelor's degree. This includes masters and doctoral programs. Graduate coursework is usually more specialized and focused on a specific study area. It is designed to help students build advanced knowledge and skills in their field and prepare them for careers in research, academia, or other professional roles. Additionally, graduate courses often involve more rigorous assessments, such as comprehensive exams, research papers, and dissertations, as opposed to exams, essays, and group projects common in undergraduate courses.

Graduate students are expected to be more self-directed and able to work independently, while undergraduate students often have more structured coursework and instructor guidance. Typically graduate courses have higher expectations for students in their level of independent thinking, research, and analysis.

As a part of your graduate school experience often, students are provided opportunities to develop professional skills and gain practical experience through internships, research projects, and networking events.

If you’re thinking of graduate studies, there’s a lot to ponder. Which program is best, should I go now, how do I make myself competitive? These are great questions. Check out "Prepare for Graduate School" for some answers to get you started.