Public Policy (MS)

Public Policy (MS) Website

Program Description

The Master of Science in Public Policy (MSPP) equips you with the analytical, quantitative, and communication skills essential for shaping effective public policies. 

This STEM-designated, accelerated one-year program offers comprehensive training in policy analysis, public management, and advanced data techniques, all within the support of a tight-knit cohort. You’ll collaborate with a small group of peers, building lasting connections and benefiting from personalized attention.

Leveraging New York City’s diverse landscape, the MSPP degree prepares you for impactful roles across government, nonprofits, and global public service. Graduates leave with the tools to design and implement policies that create lasting change locally and internationally.

Our master’s in public policy program will prepare you for roles across a range of fields and sectors, from local housing policy to national health policy and global public service. Graduates of the program are equipped to work in roles such as: Policy Analyst, Researcher/Academic, Public Affairs Consultant, Government Affairs Specialist, Legislative Assistant, Public-Sector Consultant

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	Statistical Methods II: Multiple Regression and Introduction to Econometrics	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
Electives
Topics electives		6
Methods elective(s)		3
Additional Topics or Methods elective(s)		3
Total Credits		42

Electives

 Methods Electives

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
PADM-GP 4119	Data Visualization and Storytelling	1.5
PADM-GP 4147	Large Scale Data Analysis with Machine Learning I	1.5
PADM-GP 4148	Large Scale Data Analysis with Machine Learning II	1.5
PADM-GP 4501	Designing Data Collection for Program Evaluation, Policy, & Management	1.5
PADM-GP 4503	Introduction to Data Analytics for Public Policy, Administration, and Management	1.5
PADM-GP 4504	Introduction to Database Design, Management, and Security	1.5
PADM-GP 4506	Python Coding for Public Policy	1.5
URPL-GP 4650	Advanced GIS: Interactive Web Mapping and Spatial Data Visualization	1.5

 Topics Electives

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
URPL-GP 1605	Land Use Law: The Planning Perspective	3
PADM-GP 2109	Legal Literacy: What Public Service Leaders Need to Know About the American Legal System	3
PADM-GP 2129	Race, Identity, and Inclusion	3
PADM-GP 2139	Behavioral Economics and Public Policy Design	3
PADM-GP 2144	Debt Financing and Management for Public Organizations	3
PADM-GP 2147	Corporate Finance for Public Service Organizations	3
PADM-GP 2163	Labor Policy: The Future of Work	3
PADM-GP 2201	Institutions, Governance, and International Development	3
PADM-GP 2202	Politics of International Development	3
PADM-GP 2203	Economics of International Development	3
PADM-GP 2204	Development Assistance Accountability and Effectiveness	3
PADM-GP 2211	Program Development and Management for International Organizations	3
PADM-GP 2213	Immigration Politics and Policy - Past and Present	3
PADM-GP 2245	Financing Local Government	3
PADM-GP 2311	Impact Investing	3
PADM-GP 2401	Criminal Justice in the US: Paths to Reform	3
PADM-GP 2411	Policy Formation and Policy Analysis	3
URPL-GP 2415	Public Policy and Planning in New York	3
PADM-GP 2416	Racial Inequality in America: What Do We Do Now?	3
PADM-GP 2441	The Economics of Education Policy and Finance	3
PADM-GP 2444	Gender & Sexuality in U.S. Policy Formation	3
PADM-GP 2445	Poverty, Inequality, and Policy	3
URPL-GP 2452	Public-Private Partnerships, Public Spaces, Politics & the Press	3
PADM-GP 2472	Climate Economics	3
URPL-GP 2608	Urban Economics	3
URPL-GP 2635	Community Equity/Wealth	3
URPL-GP 2660	History and Theory of Planning	3
URPL-GP 2665	Decentralized Development Planning and Policy Reform in Developing Countries	3
URPL-GP 2670	Land Use, Housing and Community Development in New York City Seminar	3
HPAM-GP 2836	Topics in Health Policy: Policy, Politics, and Power	3
PADM-GP 4217	Accountability in Humanitarian Assistance	1.5
PADM-GP 2151	Understanding the Role Federal Tax Credits Play in the Affordable Housing & Renewable Energy Sectors	3
PADM-GP 4250	Hunger and Food Security in a Global Perspective: New York	1.5
PADM-GP 4313	Capital, Power, and Systemic Change	1.5
PADM-GP 4440	Education and Social Policy	1.5
URPL-GP 4636	Housing Policy I	1.5
URPL-GP 4638	Housing Policy II	1.5
HPAM-GP 4830	Health Economics: Principles	1.5
HPAM-GP 4831	Health Economics: Topics in Domestic Health Policy	1.5

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	Statistical Methods II: Multiple Regression and Introduction to Econometrics	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.

Wagner Policies

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