Master of Public Policy & Management

Accelerated Program for Working Professionals

Our Public Policy & Management degree program for mid-career professionals gives you a highly flexible way to advance or begin a rewarding life in public service through in-person or online study. For acceptance into the program, you must have a minimum of five years of professional experience beyond an entry-level position.

Professional Skills

Administration and managerial skills
Analytical tools and methods
Policy development and implementation

Program Information

As an online MPPM student, you can complete the 30-credit degree in just five terms. By taking courses during the spring, summer, and fall terms, you can earn your degree in just 20 months. A set of required degree courses are outlined in the plan of study for this program.

Enroll in two web-based courses (for a total of 6 credits) per term

Follow a set curriculum of online courses taught by GSPIA faculty members

Receive a faculty advisor and a full-time enrollment counselor who will be able to assist you by phone, Skype, or email

All students will pay in-state tuition, regardless of residency

As an on-campus MPPM student, you have access to the full menu of courses GSPIA offers. You can take evening classes that meet one day per week on a pace that suits your work schedule. You will take a total of ten courses, four of which are required and six of which are electives, allowing you to tailor the program to your interests and pick up the skills that you find most valuable to your career. Download the plan of study for this program.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply to the online MPPM program, your resume should show five or more years of full-time work experience with increasing levels of responsibility, leadership, and professional competence, especially in the following areas:

Program management
Budgeting and finance
Human resource management
Policy formulation or implementation

If you do not meet these qualifications, please explore our other degree programs.

Student Interest

Our online MPPM Program is ideal for students with an interest in:

Public Administration
Public Policy
Nonprofit Management
Security and Intelligence Studies

Ranked the best online Master in Public Policy Degree Program for midcareer professionals by intelligent.com

How to Apply

To apply for the MPPM online program, you must submit the following. (Note that a GRE score is not required for online MPPM applicants.)

A résumé.

A personal statement outlining your background and your goals for the program (about two double-spaced, typed pages).

Two letters of recommendation from past or present supervisors (from paid or volunteer positions you have held).

Copies of your undergraduate transcripts (and graduate transcripts, if applicable). You may submit unofficial photocopies at the time of your application; official copies are required if you are admitted and choose to enroll.

A nonrefundable $50 application fee.

If you do not meet these qualifications, please explore our other degree programs.

Tuition and Fees

There is no tuition difference between in-state and out-of-state students for the online MPPM program. Learn more about tuition and fees.

MPPM students who are employed full-time by a local, state, or federal government agency are eligible to receive a 20% tuition discount. All full-time government employees are eligible, including public school district employees and active-duty military personnel (who are not already receiving tuition benefits from the military).

Out-of-State Students

The University of Pittsburgh is a participating institution in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), an interstate agreement that makes it easier for students to take online courses in another state.

As a result, pursuant to regulations and policies set forth by SARA, Pitt is eligible to enroll students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Note: California, Florida, and Massachusetts are currently not participating members of SARA; however, Pitt is still able to offer online education and field experiences in these states.

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