MPP Program

Get trained in evidence-based, pragmatic policy making to solve problems plaguing our region and the world.

As a UCR Master of Public Policy student, you can choose to specialize in a broad variety of fields. Specialization can take the form of a concentration within coursework, a capstone project, an internship, or any combination of these.

Concentrations

Environmental and Resource Policy
- Experts at our School in this area: Bruce Babcock, Ken Baerenklau, Ariel Dinar, David Biggs, Kurt Schwabe, Mehdi Nemati
- Research centers: Center for Sustainable Suburban Development
Health Policy
- Experts at our School in this area: Richard M. Carpiano, Bruce Link, Ran Wei, Anil Deolalikar
Education Policy
- Experts at our School in this area: Steven Brint, Cassandra Guarino, Qingfang Wang, Anil Deolalikar
- Research centers: Center for Social Innovation
Urban Policy
- Experts at our School in this area: Cecilia Ayon, David Brady, Ben J. Newman, Qingfang Wang
- Research centers: Center for Sustainable Suburban Development, Robert Presley Center of Crime and Justice Studies
Inequality and Poverty
- Experts at our School in this area: David Brady, Sergio Rey, Anil Deolalikar
- Research Centers: Blum Initiative for Global and Regional Poverty
Race and Immigration
- Experts at our School in this area: Cecilia Ayon, Francisco I. Pedraza, Karthick Ramakrishnan, Anil B. Deolalikar
- Research Centers: Center for Social Innovation

MPP Inquiry Form

Fill out my online form.

What is Public Policy?

About Public Policy

Apply Now

MPP Program

Student Affairs Website

For Current MPP Students

MPP Cohort 4 Statistics

Upcoming MPP Info Sessions

Recruitment Fairs

Check back for future recruitment fairs.

Testimonials

Amber Bolden (MPP '18)

“I chose UCR’s MPP program because of its flexibility for working professionals and its small class sizes. When making the decision to return to academia, I wanted to make sure I was making a wise investment. This meant selecting a university that had the resources to prepare me for a competitive workforce, in addition to being affordable and accessible to students.”

Fortino Morales III (MPP' 18)

"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."

Other Ways to Earn Your MPP

MD/MPP

Students interested in the concurrent degree program will have already been admitted to the School of Medicine. Students interested in the concurrent degree program will apply to the School of Public Policy during the fall of their third year in medical school. Students will apply through the regular MPP application process.
Students in the concurrent degree program will spend the first three years (two years of basic sciences coursework and a year of core clinical clerkships) at the School of Medicine.
After admission into the program (i.e. acceptance by the School of Public Policy), students will spend a full academic year at the School of Public Policy.
After completion of MPP coursework, students will finish their last year of medical school and apply for residency. During the 4th year of medical school (5th and final year of the concurrent degree program), students in the concurrent degree program will work on their health policy capstone project.

GPP

Students from other countries may apply for the Graduate Preparation Program in Public Policy and Leadership (GPP-PPL).
Students complete the first three years of their study at their home university
They then undertake one year of study at UCR (36 credits), which includes graduate courses. They will also complete their capstone project from their home university.
Afterwards, students may undertake any of the following options
- UCR Master of Public Policy program, which can be completed in 1 year instead of 2 years
- MPP program at another university, or
- One year of O.P.T. in the U.S.

Designated Emphasis (DE)

Students must complete four graduate courses (16 units) in total, of which:
- two should be core courses in the MPP program
- one course from the list of MPP program elective courses, and
- one graduate course (from an approved list) offered by a department that is not the student’s own department.
Note that students cannot apply units taken to fulfill the DE program requirement toward their own graduate program requirements.
All requirements for the Designated Emphasis must be satisfied within a year of a student advancing to candidacy in their Ph.D. field; a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for the award of the Designated Emphasis.

For more information on any of the options above, please contact the Graduate Student Affairs Officer:

School of Public Policy

School of Public Policy

Master of Public Policy Program

MPP Program

Concentrations

MPP Inquiry Form

MPP Cohort 4 Statistics

Upcoming MPP Info Sessions

Recruitment Fairs

Testimonials

Other Ways to Earn Your MPP

MD/MPP

GPP

Designated Emphasis (DE)

School of Public Policy: Dean's Office

Master of Public Policy Program

Breadcrumb

MPP Program

Concentrations

MPP Inquiry Form

MPP Cohort 4 Statistics

Upcoming MPP Info Sessions

Recruitment Fairs

Testimonials

Other Ways to Earn Your MPP

MD/MPP

GPP

Designated Emphasis (DE)