Masters in Public Policy (MSPP) Curriculum

The M.S. in Public Policy (M.S. PUBP) is designed as a two-year full-time course of study for students with strong analytical backgrounds, such as those received in engineering, natural science, or an analytically oriented social science or humanities program. To earn the M.S. PUBP degree students are required to complete 46 credit hours consisting of four key elements:

  • Required core curriculum
  • Electives in a chosen area of concentration
  • Completion of a supervised professional project
  • Internship between the first and second year for full-time students, a co-op assignment, or work experience

The core of the M.S. PUBP curriculum consists of eight three-hour courses and a one-hour introductory seminar. There may also be additional courses deemed fundamental to students as prerequisites for core classes or as preparation for a particular concentration of policy. For example, students frequently take a course in statistical analysis (PUBP 3120 Statistical Analysis for Public Policy) as preparation for the required core course in data analysis (PUBP 6114 Applied Policy Methods and Data Analysis). Students should work with their advisor on determining these courses.  

Admissions Process

Applications are electronic and are handled through the Georgia Tech Graduate Admissions System. Items required for admission (in addition to test scores) are the completed application with essay questions, application fee, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation.

GRE scores can be sent to the university code R5248 and department code 80. GRE, IETLS, and TOEFL scores are received by the Graduate Admissions Office.

For more information on the M.S. PUBP admissions process, visit the Admissions Overview page. 

Application Deadlines

Fall 2024 Semester Priority Deadline: Feb. 15, 2024

Fall 2024 Semester Final Deadline: March 15, 2024

Spring 2024 Semester Deadline: Oct. 15, 2023

Year One

  • Fall Semester (13 credit hours)
    • PUBP 6001 - Introduction to Public Policy
      An introduction to the field of public policy, including an overview of the scope of the field and examples of public policy analysis.
    • PUBP 6112 - Research Design in Policy Science
      Introduces underlying conceptual and methodological issues in policy research, including causality and explanation, appropriate uses of theories and models, collection and evaluation of data, and common threats to validity and reliability.
    • PUBP 6114 - Applied Policy Methods
      This course will focus on how to design, carry out, present, and interpret quantitative analyses, of policy problems. Topics include probability, inferential statistics, regression analysis, general linear models, nonparametric analyses and graphical analysis, as time permits. 
    • PUBP 6116 - Microeconomics in Policy Analysis
      Microeconomic theory is studied with applications to public problems. Students will be introduced to price-generating processes in an economy, demand and supply theory, market equilibrium, welfare economics, categories of market failure, and the public sector's role. 
    • Elective
  • Spring Semester (12 credit hours)
    • PUBP 6010 - Ethics, Epistemology and Public Policy
      This course examines the role of values in public decision making, with special emphasis on the effects of personal values of professionals on public institutions and private sector organizations.
    • PUBP 6012 - Fundamentals of Public Policy
      An examination of theories of public policy (e.g., rationalist, incrementalist, pluralist), stages of the policy process, public participation, and policy analysis.
    • PUBP 6014/6017/6018 - Course on Institutions or Elective  
      (See descriptions below)
    • Elective

Year Two

  • Fall Semester (12 credit hours)
    • PUBP 6014/6017/6018 - Course on Institutions or Elective 
      (See descriptions below)
    • PUBP 6201 - Public Policy Analysis
      This course covers the conceptual foundations of policy inquiry: scientific, rational-actor, and ethical. Ethical values underlying cost-benefit analysis, Pareto optimal models, and market rationality will be surveyed.
    • Elective
    • Elective
  • Spring Semester (12 credit hours)
    • PUBP 6118 - Public Finance and Policy
      This course acquaints students with the theory and policy implications of alternative federal, state, and local budgeting and financing practices. It does so principally by applying microeconomic and political-economic analysis to issues of public finance.
    • PUBP 6801 - Research Paper (Workshop)
    • Elective
    • Elective

Courses on Institutions

Students must take one of the following courses:

  • PUBP 6014 - Organization Theory
    This course provides an understanding of the scientific study of organizational structure, behavior, and performance, and the bureaucratic, political and social characteristics of complex organizations. Similar courses include MGT 6107 and ISYE 6101.
  • PUBP 6017 - Public Management
    Using case studies and a field exercise, students examine how public policies are executed and managed. Particular emphasis is given to the management of political authority, strategic thinking, and assessing the effectiveness of management strategies.
  • PUBP 6018 - Policy Implementation and Administration
    An examination of the theoretical and practical difficulties in executing, managing, and evaluating public policies.