Master's Degree in Public Policy and Management

Heinz College is a public policy school like no other. That’s because we're so much more than a policy school.

Key Program and Track Information

Program Length: 2 years, 4 semesters (3-semester track available for some students)
Application Deadline: December 2, 2024 (priority), January 10, 2025 (regular), June 15, 2025 (final)
Degree earned: Master of Science
Internship: Required (except 3-semester track)
STEM-Designated: Yes

The Master of Science in Public Policy and Management program at Heinz College gives you skills that simply cannot be matched. By infusing our policy curriculum with instruction in statistics, economics, finance, organizational design, and presentation skills, you'll leave here prepared to tackle policy in any realm you choose.

This is a degree for life: You won't be pigeonholed into a specialty. You will possess the data analysis skills to make an impact in whatever sector you choose, and that core skillset is applicable across industries. As your career evolves, your Heinz education will allow you to evolve with it.

Tell us more about yourself

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A female student in Heinz College's Master of Science in Public Policy and Management: Washington, D.C., track giving her final presentation in front of a read CMU banner.

What is a Public Policy degree?

Here at Heinz College, we solve the toughest problems facing society with a master's degree in public policy that combines policy analysis with evidence-based decision making.

A man giving a presentation about the SNAP program.

Impact

How are our students and alumni using their public policy degrees?

Stories of Impact

What public policy issues will i address?

At Heinz College, you will receive practical experience to complement your coursework through our Capstone projects, during which you'll solve a problem for real-life client. You will use your policy analysis and data analytics skills to improve social equity and data governance, contribute to the public service sector, and prepare for a career in public policy. Here are some of our past projects:

Optimizing efficiency of light-rail transit
Standardizing organ transplant handbooks nationwide
Using large language models to help a policy think tank access Congressional information
Evaluating the economic impact of IT and cybersecurity education programs

Policing illegal commercial fishing with an interactive, real-time database

Enabling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to serve 20,000 additional callers
Improving job outcomes for re-entry populations
Creating shelter estimate models to aid natural disaster recovery

Experiential Learning in Public Policy

Curriculum and Class Profile

What courses will you take during your public policy degree?

Policy Curriculum

Jobs in Public Policy

Our graduates are employed by government agencies, non-profits, and private firms in all key sectors of the economy

Careers

Hands-On Learning

Through internships, projects, research positions and conferences, Heinz students get real-world experience.

Practical Experience

How will I pay for this?

We are committed to reducing the cost of attendance.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

My Story: Stachal

Heinz College stood out to Stachal Harris because of its emphasis on not only social policy, but on data-driven solutions.

My Story: Curt

Working at a nonprofit in Cleveland, Curt saw firsthand the power of digital access—as well as the security risks it posed.

Trail-Blazing Faculty

Our faculty are innovators who solve emerging problems at the nexus of technology and society.

Learn more

What's Next?

Get all the details about applying to our public policy and management program, including:

Application deadlines
Scheduling a visit
Attending an online info session
Connecting with a current student

Ready to apply? Check out our graduate application checklist now!

POLICY FOR THE PIONEERS