Public Policy (MS)

Program Description

The Master of Science in Public Policy provides students with the skills needed to assess, create, and implement public policy that has a lasting impact on the public good. This accelerated, one-year program prepares students for a career in policy analysis in a range of fields and sectors, from local housing policy to national health policy to international development—from New York City to cities around the globe.

Effective policy analysts need to possess skills in analysis, advanced quantitative methods, public management, and strategic communications. As a designated STEM-eligible program, the Master of Science in Public Policy blends these areas so that students will know how to gather, evaluate, interpret, and communicate data to design effective public policies.

Graduates will be prepared to hit the ground running as policy analysts at think tanks, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, foundations, and consulting firms.

 Program Highlights

• Accelerated and intensive one-year curriculum in policy analysis, quantitative methods, and communications skills.
• Professional internship linked to your coursework, testing classroom skills and ideas against real-world experiences.
• Tight-knit, collaborative cohort within a broader school of public service.
• A powerful community that connects you with key organizations, contacts, and career opportunities worldwide. 
• A culminating studio project that uses data as the basis for an individual master's policy analysis brief.

Admissions

Admission to the Master of Science requires the following:

• Online Application
• Essays (video essay optional)
• Resume
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• Standardized Test Scores
• Application Fee

See MS Public Policy Application Checklist for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

International Applicants should review the International Applicant Checklist for a complete and comprehensive list of application requirements and instructions.

Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 42 credits, comprised of the following:

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Courses
MSPP-GP 1000	Methods and Microeconomics Intensive	3
MSPP-GP 1022	Introduction to Public Policy	3
MSPP-GP 2100	Communication Skills for the Policy Analyst	3
PADM-GP 2140	Public Economics	3
PADM-GP 2171	Evaluating Programs and Policies	3
MSPP-GP 2905	Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis	3
MSPP-GP 4021	Financial Management I	1.5
MSPP-GP 4105	Public Management I	1.5
MSPP-GP 4106	Public Management II	1.5
MSPP-GP 4900	The Practice of Work	1.5
MSPP-GP 3100	Applied Policy Analysis	3
MSPP-GP 3101	Policy and Data Studio	3
6 credits from Topics Electives 1		6
3 credits from Methods Electives		3
3 additional credits from Topics or Methods Electives list 1		3
Total Credits		42

¹

See the Program Requirement Checksheet for a list of Methods and Topics electives.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
MSPP-GP 1000	Methods and Microeconomics Intensive	3
MSPP-GP 1022	Introduction to Public Policy	3
MSPP-GP 2100	Communication Skills for the Policy Analyst	3
MSPP-GP 2905	Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis	3
MSPP-GP 4021	Financial Management I	1.5
PADM-GP 2140	Public Economics	3
PADM-GP 2171	Evaluating Programs and Policies	3
	Credits	19.5
2nd Semester/Term
MSPP-GP 4105	Public Management I	1.5
MSPP-GP 4106	Public Management II	1.5
	Credits	3
3rd Semester/Term
MSPP-GP 4900	The Practice of Work	1.5
Topics Elective		3
Topics Elective		3
Methods Elective		3
Methods Elective		3
	Credits	13.5
4th Semester/Term
MSPP-GP 3100	Applied Policy Analysis	3
MSPP-GP 3101	Policy and Data Studio	3
	Credits	6
	Total Credits	42

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Understand institutions within the policy process, the structure of relevant organizations, and how to manage and work within these organizations.
2. Apply analytic tools for assembling evidence, identifying policy alternatives and making policy recommendations.
3. Apply key methods of quantitative policy analysis to communicate quantitative information and argue with data.
4. Assess the normative considerations in policy making, including law, ethics, and equity vs. efficiency trade-offs.
5. Convey complex problems and alternative solutions to multiple audiences using written and oral communication skills gained in the program.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Standard Policies Statement

Additional academic policies can be found on the Wagner academic policy page.