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School of Public Policy

Solutions for the Region,
Solutions for the World

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Time to Make Your iMPPact
Applications for the Master in Public Policy program are open until July 31st!
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Learn more about the program
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Earn your BA and MPP in five years!
The UCR School of Public Policy is the only UC with a five-year BA and MPP program.
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Master in Public Policy

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree prepares students for a variety of careers in the public policy sector.

Our MPP degree prepares students to develop new, sound public policy that anticipates how policy will be implemented and prospectively estimates likely behavioral responses and impacts on efficiency, equity, prosperity, and justice; appropriately collect data on the implementation process and outcomes; utilize the best qualitative and quantitative methods to understand policy implementation and evaluate policy effects; and to understand how and when advocacy for policy change is effective.

Students learn how to obtain, evaluate, and interpret evidence; communicate with stakeholders; consider diverse perspectives; and make wise decisions.

Our MPP program features experiential learning, including an internship and client-based capstone.

Applications

Domestic Applications for Fall 2025 are OPEN until July 31st. We are no longer accepting International Applications as of June 1st.

To apply, you must complete an online application through the UCR Graduate Division website. Applications will be open and reviewed on a rolling basis until July 2025.

Beginning in Fall 2025, the MPP program will be a daytime program with courses taught Monday through Friday, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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SPP Scholarships
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Ana Yeli Ruiz
"I was drawn to the program because of the diversity of UCR and the percentage of underrepresented students the program admits. To me, this signaled that the university is invested and serious about uplifting first-generation students. The school provides endless opportunities to become involved through workshops, symposiums, etc. The School of Public Policy is helping me expand my social capital in ways that I never imagined possible."
Ana Yeli Ruiz (MPP' 20)
"I’m glad for my two years in the MPP program, as I was exposed to a wide variety of perspectives on policy making and evaluation through the different faculty, readings, guest speakers, and colleagues. The capstone project was a challenging process that allowed me to wrestle with a real world policy using the skills I learned through the program."
Fortino Morales III (MPP' 18)

Discover the Student Experience!

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Drop In Hours

Please join our recruiter during our Ask Me Anything (AMA) Drop In Hours for a chance to ask questions about our MPP program, priority deadline, funding, research, and more. 

Hosted on a weekly basis:

PLEASE NOTE: Drop In Hours are currently postponed until Summer Session

These sessions are online only. Join virtually via Zoom.

Advising Appointments

Need advising regarding our academic programs? Be sure to schedule an appointment with our advising staff where they can share more information, provide planning assistance, and answer any questions you might have.

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Contact Information

For more information, please contact the Admissions and Recruitment Specialist:

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