The fields of public management (the management of organizations serving the public interest, such as government agencies) and nonprofit management (the management of organizations created for educational, charitable, social, religious, civic or humanitarian purposes) offer immense opportunities for career growth and personal satisfaction.  Public and nonprofit organizations plan, organize, and provide a multitude of services which affect virtually every facet of our everyday lives.

Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) 2+2 Program

Building on the recognition that the lines between public and nonprofit sectors are blurring, GSPIA created the 30-credit MPPM 2+2 program to prepare current and future managers with the skills to move between the sectors as they advance in their careers.

The MPPM 2+2 program's guaranteed course schedule—Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings—offers convenience and consistency for working professionals. The 10-course sequenced curriculum may be completed in two years of part-time study.

Many of today's most urgent issues require planning and implementation among organizations in the public and nonprofit sectors, and GSPIA's MPPM 2+2 program builds essential management competencies in finance, human resources, fundraising and grant-writing, negotiation and conflict resolution, and more--all relevant to a broad range of careers in public and nonprofit management.

Students in the MPPM 2+2 program will explore the many ways in which governments and nonprofit organizations contribute to building sustainable communities through strategic approaches to planning and budgeting, human resource development, and fostering partnerships for problem-solving.

About the Coursework

Coursework for the MPPM 2+2 program devotes attention to the increasingly important interactions between the public and nonprofit sectors. The "collaborative core" - a sequence of seven courses (21 credits) required for all students - provides opportunities for students in the MPPM 2+2 program to learn together. All students will have opportunities to engage in collaborative problem-solving and decision-making on real issues in Pittsburgh and the region.

Students will select a nine-credit track in either public management or nonprofit management with coursework reflecting issues specific to those sectors.

Tentative Course Schedule*

*Schedule subject to change

Eligibility and Admission

The MPPM 2+2 program seeks applicants with a Bachelor's degree and five or more years of experience beyond and entry level position. Candidate experience should demonstrate increasing levels of responsibility, leadership, or professional competence, and/or significant experience in areas such as budgeting-finance, human resource management, or policy formulation or implementation.

Apply online by June 1, 2008 for courses beginning fall 2008. We regret that international students are not eligible to apply to the MPPM 2+2 as it is a designated part-time program. However, the MPPM program may be completed on a full-time basis. Click here for details.

• Although we do not have rolling admissions, we are happy to review resumes at any time. If you're interested in applying for this program, you are encouraged to submit your resume today.

Contact Us

We welcome your inquiries! To speak with GSPIA's admissions representatives, contact the Office of Student Services, 412-648-7640 or by E-mail, gspia@pitt.edu .

Last updated on December 21, 2007