Master of Public Policy
Offered as a Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Advance your career in just one year with Saint Anselm College’s 4+1 Master of Public Policy Program. The MPP program will strengthen your research, communication, and analytical skills and build your policy expertise with an emphasis on rigorous empirical analysis and ethical reasoning and decision making. Whether you have professional aspirations in public administration, the non-profit sectors, or private industry, our MPP program will equip you with the tools and knowledge to unlock new career opportunities. Prepare to make a meaningful impact on local, national, or international issues with your Master of Public Policy degree from Saint Anselm.
Students at Saint Anselm College are exceptional in their commitment to building strong communities. Our Master of Public Policy degree supports those ambitions, preparing graduates from all majors with valuable skills as they pursue meaningful lifelong work to promote the common good in their communities.
Interdisciplinary Academic Perspectives
Our MPP Program is built around an interdisciplinary and collaborative curriculum. Classes are taught by faculty and experts from a range of academic disciplines providing students the opportunity to study policy issues from different perspectives, and equipping them with analytic and methods skill for a variety of career paths.
All majors are welcome but this program may especially be of interest to majors from:
| Business Administration | Legal Studies |
| Community and Public Health | Politics |
| Criminal Justice | Psychology |
| Economics | Social Work |
| History | Sociology |
Featured Course
Unlock the power of Ethical Leadership in our PH 610 course, where you'll delve into the core principles of ethical theory and tackle real-world leadership challenges. Discover how to embody ethical practices, inspire others, and foster a culture of integrity within your organization. Join us to sharpen your leadership skills and make a meaningful impact in today’s complex ethical landscape!
Hands-on Opportunities at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics
The New Hampshire Institute of Politics (NHIOP) is a valuable resource for students in the Masters in Public Policy program, offering direct access to political figures and experts. With a strong emphasis on experiential learning, students can engage in events, discussions, and research that connects theories to practice. The New Hampshire Institute of Politics offers networking opportunities that foster mentorship and career development, while workshops and seminars will deepen students' knowledge of current policy issues. This environment not only enriches the education experience but empowers students to become active participants in the political process.
Program Information
The curriculum will require the completion of 40 credit hours. 4+1 students complete a total of 8 credits (two courses) spring semester of their senior year. The remaining 32 credits are taken at the graduate level over the following summer, fall, and spring terms. There are two tracks: Professional and Thesis. Students in the professional track will complete an internship capstone, while those in the research track must complete a master’s thesis.
All students will complete 24 credits in core classes which include:
- PO 500 - Public Institutions and the Policy Process
- EC 603 - Microeconomics for Public Policy
- CJ 620 - Descriptive & Inferential Statistics
- SO 621 - Data Analysis for Public Policy (2 credits)
One course on Ethics of Organizational Leadership, either:
- PO 601 - Ethics, Values and Public Policy OR
- PH 610 - Ethical Leadership
Students in the Professional Track will also complete:
- EN 650 - Professional Writing (2 credits)
- PO 685 - Policy Internship Capstone
Students in the Research Track will also complete:
- PO 623 - Research Design and Methods (2 credits)
- PO 700 - Master’s Thesis
In addition, students will complete 16 credits of electives, which may include any of the following courses:
- AC 663 - Decision-making and Control in Government and Non-Profit
Organizations
- BU 661 - The Leadership Experience
- BU 662 - Management of Nonprofit Organizations
- CJ 630 - Law and Justice
- CPH 640 - Governing Health: Public Policy, Politics & Law
- CPH 641 - Politics and Policy in an Aging Society
- ED 635 - Getting Schooled: The Politics & Promise of American Education
- FI 660 - Public Finance
- HI 651 - Law in the Twentieth Century
Spring
- Undergraduate course I (4+1 Students only)
- Undergraduate course II (4+1 Students only)
- PO 500 Public Institutions and the Policy Process
- CJ 620 - Descriptive & Inferential Statistics
Summer
- Ethics of Organizational Leadership (PO 601 or PH 610)
- Elective
Fall
- EC 603 Microeconomics for Public Policy
- Data Analysis for Public Policy (2-credits)
- Research Methods and Design (2-credits, Thesis track only)
- Elective
Spring
- Elective
- PO 685 - Internship Capstone (Professional track) OR PO 700 Master’s Thesis (Research track)
- EN 650 - Professional Writing (2-credits, Professional track only)
Tracks to Earn a Master in Public Policy Degree
Professional Track
Join our professional track to gain real world experience through an impactful internship capstone. This hands-on approach places you in a professional setting apply your skills and build a network while addressing key policy changes.
Courses
- Public Institutions and the Policy Process (4 credits)
- Microeconomics for Public Policy (4 credits)
- Descriptive and Inferential Statistics (4 credits)
- Ethics of Organizational Leadership (4 credits)
- Data Analysis for Public Policy (2 credits)
- Professional Writing (2 credits)
- Internship Capstone (4 credits)
Research Track
Join our research track to contribute to evidence-based policy research and collaborate with communities to address pressing policy issues. This track will prepare you for a career in policy analysis or further graduate study.
Courses
- Public Institutions and the Policy Process (4 credits)
- Microeconomics for Public Policy (4 credits)
- Descriptive and Inferential Statistics (4 credits)
- Ethics of Organizational Leadership (4 credits)
- Data Analysis for Public Policy (2 credits)
- Research Methods and Design (2 credits)
- Master’s Thesis Capstone (4 credits)
Admission Timeline for Spring 2025 Start
| Date | Description |
| November 1, 2024 | Application Deadline; there is a $65 application fee |
| November 15, 2024 | Decision Letters Sent to Applicants |
| December 1, 2024 | Deadline to Accept Admission; submit deposit |
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost per credit hour is $575, plus an $18/credit hour fee.
For 4+1 students, two courses (8 credits of the 40 credits) are taken during the spring semester of their senior year. Therefore, the cost of the remaining 32 credits is $18,400, plus $576 in fees, for a total of $18,976.
Deposits ($700) are due by December 1, 2024.
The College does not offer merit aid for graduate programs, but, depending on enrollment, there may be a very limited number of graduate assistantships available to students in the Research Track.
The College does not offer merit aid for graduate programs, but, depending on enrollment, there may be a very limited number of graduate assistantships available to students in the Research Track.
Seniors planning to enroll in the spring of 2025 must have a minimum of 96 credits and a 3.0 minimum GPA. Students who have below a 3.0 GPA are required to submit an additional letter of recommendation to detail why they should be considered for the program.
Students planning to enroll after spring 2025 should also complete two courses: either PO102 American Government or PO104 Comparative Politics, and any of the following statistical or research skill courses (BI345, BU121, CJ390, PO203, PY301, SO212).
An MPP is a very flexible degree that will prepare students for a range of careers, including data analysis or policy research, management in the nonprofit and private sectors, project management, or positions related to local, state, or federal government, including city managers, policy advocacy, lobbying, policy analyst, or legislative staff.
To accommodate all students courses will be offered in different modalities, including hybrid or asynchronously online. Hybrid and synchronous online courses will be offered during the evening to afford students the opportunity to work during the day. Typically, courses begin after 4:30pm with the possible exception of courses taken in the spring semester of senior year for the 4+1 program.
On-campus housing is available but limited.
career outcomes
Behavioral Scientist
City manager
Community Development Coordinator
Crisis Management
Data analysis
Education Policy Consultant
Environmental Specialists
Grant Writer
Internal Organizations
Legislators
Nonprofit management
Program Managers
Public Advocacy
Policy Researcher
Public Policy Educator
Public Relations Strategist
Social Scientists
Statisticians
Survey Researchers
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