Drexel’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) program prepares students to lead within government, nonprofit, and policy-focused organizations through a curriculum that blends theory, practice, and real-world application. Offered in both fully on-campus and fully online formats, the program provides the flexibility to fit your schedule—whether you're advancing your career or just beginning your journey in public service.
While similar in structure to a Master of Public Administration (MPA), Drexel’s MPP stands out in two key ways:
Case Study Focus: Students engage in a multi-term case study project, developing a polished, in-depth policy analysis that demonstrates expertise in a specific area—an ideal portfolio piece for future employers.
Areas of Specialization: Students can leverage unique opportunities across the university to tailor their education. Student can focus on areas including, but not limited to:
- Economic Policy
- Education Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Health Policy
- Information Policy
- Nonprofit Management
Courses are drawn from across Drexel’s academic ecosystem, including the Center for Public Policy, the , and the College of Computing and Informatics—offering a rich, interdisciplinary learning experience.
At Drexel, you’ll gain the analytical tools, policy insight, and practical experience to shape solutions that make a difference.
Program Deadlines
The deadlines below are the dates by which applications must be submitted and all application requirements received.
- Fall (Domestic Phl/Onl) - July 1 (Priority); August 1
- Fall (International Phl) - May 1
- Spring (Domestic Phl/Onl) - November 1
- Summer (Domestic Phl/Onl) - April 1
- No International Spring, or Summer Intake.
Visit our Center for Public Policy
Quicklinks
Program Format
- Full-time or part-time plans of study
- Online or on-campus course options
- Specialty tracks through coursework in Drexel’s numerous and graduate minors
- Case study research develops demonstrative policy relevant areas
Application Requirements
- Completed online application
- Application Fee (Note: Application fee waivers are generally not offered.)
- Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions (note: Drexel can pull ÌÇÐÄVlog transcripts)
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Resume or CV
- Application Essay: Please write approximately 300-500 words addressing the following prompt: During their entire time in Drexel's public policy program, students are engaged in a single research project — a "case study" — on a specific policy-related program or organization of their choosing. Though students are not expected to have chosen a specific case study prior to their entry in the program, it helps to have some thoughts about the general policy areas and issues in which they are interested. Please discuss potential policy areas or issues you might like to explore for your case study project. In addition, please discuss how your background, experience, interests, and/or values, when combined with a Drexel Public Policy degree, will enable you to pursue your professional/personal goals successfully.
NOTE: GRE Exam is not required
Minimum Language Proficiency Exam Scores:
- TOEFL: 100/600/250
- IELTS: 7.0 Overall Band
- PTE: 68
- Duolingo: 110
Application Requirements
Program Overview
With courses in data analysis, statistics, institutional dynamics, and more, Drexel's Master of Public Policy (MPP) program covers a breadth of topics to prepare graduates for demanding roles in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Our program is for individuals who already work in government or nonprofit organizations or wish to pursue careers in these sectors. Drexel’s MPP program is innovative and distinct in at least two key respects: Its focus on case study research and its separate specialization tracks. Our program focuses on case study research as a unifying curriculum element.
Students take required and elective courses for the Master of Public Policy from multiple schools within ÌÇÐÄVlog, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business, and the College of Computing and Informatics.
Applications for both the in-person and online formats are accepted year-round, and applicants can expect a decision within one month.
Flexible Schedule
Entering students may begin to study fall, winter, or spring quarters. Through a flexible course schedule that includes evening or online classes, students can complete the program at a pace that suits them. On average, students can complete the program in as little as 18 months to two years. Working professionals are also welcome to enroll part-time. Graduates go on to successful careers in the public, private and non-profit sectors plus more.
Specialty Tracks
Students in the Public Policy master's degree program gain a strong foundation in analysis, economics, research and writing. Students can customize their curriculum to fit their career interests through Drexel’s numerous or graduate minors.
Program Faculty
Faculty members affiliated with the Public Policy master's degree program address a wide range of topics, including: citizen science, data infrastructure, drug treatment and use, energy literacy, prison rehabilitation, urban politics and violence reduction. Many faculty collaborate with local communities and nonprofits on projects that have a real impact on people in the Philadelphia area and beyond.
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Faculty Member |
Expertise |
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Professor of Politics; Department Head, Department of Politics
MacAlister, Room 3025
dilworth@drexel.edu
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- American political development
- Urban politics
- Public policy
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Professor of Politics
3021-F MacAlister Hall
hunoldc@drexel.edu
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- Environmental Political Theory
- Deliberative Democracy
- Human-Animal Studies
- Multispecies Ethnography
- Multispecies Urbanism
- Wild horses and Burros
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Professor of Criminology and Justice Studies; Director, Center for Public Policy
3201 Arch Street, Room 299
jmh498@drexel.edu
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- Corrections, Re-entry and Community Supervision
- Comparative and International Penology
- Drug Treatment and Drug Use
- Community Violence Reduction
- Prison Climate, Oversight and Reform
- Financial Sanctions
- Scandinavian Correctional Policy
- Sentencing
- Experimental and Field Research
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Professor
Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building (PISB), room 318
ottinger@drexel.edu
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- Environmental justice
- Political theory
- Science and technology policy
- Citizen science
- Science and engineering ethics
- Information infrastructures
- Community-based research
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Outcomes
- Know the basics. Courses in a wide range of disciplines offer students a solid understanding of the complexity of policy issues.
- See all sides. In the program’s core courses, students learn how to analyze competing perspectives, enabling them to be constructive problem solvers.
- Care about equity. Policies have different impacts on different populations, including the rich and poor, and current and future generations. Students learn to spot these differences and design policies that promote greater equity.
- Communicate clearly. Writing projects across the curriculum teach students to express highly specialized ideas from multiple domains in a way that non-specialists can understand and use to guide their actions.
- Collaborate effectively. Students from different backgrounds work together, learning to problem-solve in groups where not everyone sees eye-to-eye.
Careers
Drexel's Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree program is suited for those who want to work in government or nonprofit organizations. Because the Master&rsquops in Public Policy equips graduates with skills like leadership and management, there are many public policy career paths for graduates to consider. Every corporation and organization is responsible for addressing legal and policy issues; therefore, public policy jobs exist in various fields. Public policy jobs often involve elements of project planning, budget analysis, public relations, fundraising and other functions.
Potential roles include policy analyst at advocacy organizations and in many government divisions. In addition, there is a strong demand for policy professionals who contribute to think tanks, legal firms, and large corporations’ legal and public affairs departments.
Potential careers
- Campaign manager
- City manager
- Human resources director
- Lobbyist
- Nonprofit program director
- Paralegal
- Policy analyst
- Political researcher
- Public relations specialist
What Is Case Study Research?
For the Master of Public Policy degree program, students take a series of three-credit The case study provides students in the Master of Public Policy program with a unique opportunity to concentrate on and demonstrates their expertise in a more specific policy area than is typically covered in traditional courses. Through the case study program students choose their own topic, are introduced to case study methodology and practice, develop a research agenda, and ultimately sit for an oral defense. By the end of the program, students have produced a polished, in-depth analysis of a specific case that they can use to demonstrate expertise in a given policy area, and they will defend their case study with a panel of public policy faculty.
Recent Theses
We proudly invite prospective students to review recent theses authored by our Master of Public Policy degree recipients.