Career Options
Professional opportunities for graduates of Northwestern's Master's in Public Policy and Administration part-time and accelerated program are as varied as the field of public policy and administration itself. Graduates prepare for leadership roles in government at the local, regional, and federal levels, in nonprofit organizations or in private enterprises. Our program concentrations are specifically designed to align with public policy jobs in the current public policy and governmental affairs careers landscape.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for public policy workers is expected to grow faster than the average for most other occupations. This growth is attributed to several developments, including the rising demand for public services, an increasing population, and vacancies created by retiring baby boomers.
Public policy jobs include health services managers, urban and regional planners, community service managers, government IT managers, emergency management, political science research, and foreign affairs. Many public policy professionals work for the Federal executive branch, helping to shape and implement new policies. Others take a more research-intensive path. Public policy skills and knowledge are also needed in social advocacy organizations, higher education, and local government agencies or offices.
Public policy spans both the private and public sectors with unique and growing opportunities present in both sectors. Whatever focus they choose, graduates of the Public Policy and Administration program can take satisfaction in helping to shape our lives. In fact, there are few areas of public life that are not affected by public and government affairs.
Internships are recommended to give students practical public policy job skills in their field. Internships taken in conjunction with a 499 Independent Study registration are available to students who have completed four courses in the MPPA program. Students may also find their own internships.
Once a student accepts an internship, they must formulate a project with an MPPA instructor and sign up for an MPPA 499 Independent Study. The course will count as an elective. Only one Independent Study per student is allowed. Instead of an internship with an outside organization, students may use their current job for an independent study. However, students must secure appropriate faculty guidance and develop a formal research project.
