Master's in Public Policy and Administration / Graduate Studies Preparation for Full-time International Students
Most graduate programs in public policy require students to choose between the analytical and the administrative sides of the discipline. Northwestern’s full-time MPPA degree program for full-time international students encompasses both. While instilling leadership skills, the program develops students’ administrative as well as analytical competence to enable them to rise in the field and drive change at the local, national and international levels. The program encompasses a range of specialized areas — public administration, public policy, data analytics, global policy — all grounded in the perspective that policy challenges are fluid, interconnected and global. Students learn to think across diverse groups and boundaries.
The MA in Public Policy and Administration for full-time international students is a versatile degree that applies to a variety of areas across all career sectors, private as well as public. MPPA graduates achieve leadership roles in government at the local, state, national, and international levels, in nonprofit organizations, and in the private sector. MPPA graduates pursue rewarding careers in health service, community service, in management consulting jobs, with financial institutions, in social entrepreneurial organizations, using big data for urban and regional planning, political science research and global affairs.
All courses are fully accredited. Most classes will be held on our Chicago campus in Wieboldt Hall. Courses in some of the specializations (Data Analytics, Global Health) are only available in an online format. SPS online courses marry the best aspects of online technology with the interactivity of the classroom. Full-time international students interested in these specializations should consult with their academic adviser to plan their course of study carefully, as only one course in a given quarter can be taken online Find out more about online learning at SPS.
This program is not currently accepting any applications from international students while pending U.S. federal agency program approval. Tentative launch date is late 2020. Submit your contact information below to receive additional information about the program and to be notified when the application for admission is open.
START MY APPLICATIONREQUEST PROGRAM INFORMATION ATTEND AN INFORMATION SESSION
About the Program
Program Goals
MA in Public Policy & Administration / Graduate Prep Program for Full-time International Students Program Goals:
- Evaluate the collaborative inter-organizational, inter-governmental, and international public policy and administrative environment
- Apply a standard of ethics to policy and administrative context
- Design public policies and programs
- Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of public policies and programs
- Communicate relevant policy or program information to diverse stakeholders
- Lead public organizations to implement policy decisions with respect and understanding for the broader institutional, societal, economic and political environment
- Manage public resources to achieve organizational goals
Areas of Specialization
Upon submitting an application for the MA in Public Policy & Administration / Graduate Prep Program for Full-time International Students, students declare an intended area of specialization from the following options:
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
- Global Policy
- Global Health(Courses are only offered online)
- Data Analytics for Public Policy (Courses are only offered online)
Program Courses
Explore the MA in Public Policy & Administration / Graduate Prep Program for Full-time International Students Courses. You can narrow your course search by day, location or instructor.
Curriculum
The Master's in Public Policy and Administration requires the successful completion of 13 courses to obtain a degree. Students complete nine core courses, three elective courses corresponding to a chosen area of specialization, and a capstone (498) or thesis (590) project. Review complete curriculum details and specialization electives for the MPPA program. Current students should refer to curriculum requirements in place at time of entry into the program.
Duration
The MPPA program for full-time international students is designed so that students can complete the program in 12 months (minimum of three classes per quarter, only one may be online.) The program begins with a four-week required Graduate Studies Preparation Program.
Graduate Studies Preparation
The four-week Graduate Studies Preparation Program is designed to help international students adjust to American culture and to teach the academic and communication skills — such as critical thinking, English pronunciation, and effective oral presentation — necessary for admitted students to succeed in Northwestern University professional graduate programs.
Admission Information
A variety of factors are considered when your application is reviewed. Background and experience vary from student to student. For a complete list of requirements, see the MA in Public Policy & Administration / Graduate Prep Program for Full-time International Students Admission page.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for the MA in Public Policy & Administration / Graduate Prep Program for Full-time International Students program at Northwestern is comparable to similar US programs. Financial aid opportunities exist for students at Northwestern. Complete details can be found on the MA in Public Policy & Administration / Graduate Prep Program for Full-time International Students Tuition and Financial Aid page.
Registration Information
Already accepted into the MA in Public Policy & Administration / Graduate Prep Program for Full-time International Students program? Get ahead and register for your classes as soon as possible.
Graduation Preparation
The four-week Graduate Studies Preparation Program is designed to help international students adjust to American culture and to teach the academic and communication skills. For details visit the Graduate Study Preparation page.
Faculty
Instructors in the MA in Public Policy & Administration / Graduate Prep Program for Full-time International Students program at Northwestern are leading scholars and practitioners in their field. They bring real-world experiences to the classroom and engage with students on a personal level. Get to know the instructors on our MA in Public Policy & Administration / Graduate Prep Program for Full-time International Students Faculty page.