Public Policy and Administration

Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.)

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Managers in high performing organizations today need to be able to analyze and interpret data and then use those insights as they implement policies and programs.

Combining academic rigor with a practical orientation toward management and policy analysis, the Master of Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.) program is designed to develop the knowledge and skills students need to become effective public and nonprofit managers, leaders, and entrepreneurs.

You will learn from faculty who hold excellent academic credentials and are practitioners, bringing a wealth of real-world, professional insights into the classroom. The program’s applied approach and unique position in a business school focuses on cultivating mastery of policy evaluation, analytics, and administrative best practices to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public and nonprofit organizations in a wide range of fields.

Students learn and network with classmates who are professionals from a broad range of backgrounds, positions, and organizations, and have local and global experience.

By choosing one of the program’s specializations, students can prepare to step into key roles in economic development, social entrepreneurship, public safety and emergency preparedness, and nonprofit and mission-driven enterprises.

Program Overview

Combining academic rigor with an applied approach, the Master of Public Policy and Administration program is designed to develop the managerial knowledge and analytical skills you need to become an effective public or nonprofit manager and leader.

Career Opportunities

Organizations, government agencies, and companies that have hired Master of Public Policy and Administration graduates include:

  • Accenture
  • American Cancer Society
  • City of Chicago
  • Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department
  • Chinese American Service League
  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
  • Lincoln Park Zoo
  • Chicago Transit Authority and Metra
  • State of Illinois
  • Lyons Township

The Master of Public Policy and Administration curriculum provides a mix of analytical and management focused courses to develop students’ skills in rigorous data and policy analysis, as well as the managerial knowledge needed to effectively implement programs and policies.

Students may select elective courses in public policy and administration or other fields such as architecture, business, city and regional planning, civil engineering, computer science, design, environmental engineering, humanities, psychology, social sciences, or law.
 

View Details

  • Completed Online Application
  • Official transcript submission with a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official TOEFL or IELTS score, if required. A minimum score of 85 on the internet-based TOEFL, 600 on the paper-based TOEFL, or 7.0 on the IELTS exam is required for admission consideration
  • A one-page professional statement of goals and objectives
  • At least one letter of recommendation from an academic or professional reference

Scholarships

Applicants to the Master of Public Policy and Administration program for fall 2021 (except Chicago Police and Fire Department applicants, as noted below) are eligible for a 35 percent scholarship ($5,084 per semester for nine credit hours).

Chicago Police and Fire Department applicants: Contact Stuart School of Business for information regarding scholarships and tuition deferment.

Veteran applicants: Illinois Institute of Technology proudly processes Department of Veterans Affairs benefits for admitted veteran students. Click here for more information.

Program Specializations

More M.P.P.A. Options

Dual-Degree Programs

Dual-Degree Programs

Prepare for leadership positions by combining the M.P.P.A. with another graduate degree in business (M.B.A.), design (M.Des.), or law (J.D.).

Accelerated Master’s Program

Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP)

Current Illinois Tech undergraduates can earn both a bachelor’s degree and an M.P.P.A. in as few as five years through the AMP co-terminal option.

Move Your Career Forward

Alumni relations

Alumni Connections

A global network of accomplished Illinois Tech alumni is available to engage with and support our students.

Career development

Career Development

Stuart’s Career Management Center offers individualized career counseling, resources for job and internship search, and opportunities to network with industry professionals.

“I think Stuart’s strengths lie in the experience of its professors. The faculty in the M.P.P.A. program not only understand academics, but their courses are approached from a practical, real-world standpoint.”

—Jeremiah Muhammad (M.P.P.A. ’19, with specialization in Security, Safety, and Risk Management)

Jeremiah Muhammad

“I was taught by professors who had professional knowledge of the fields they were teaching. I have been able to take many concepts that I learned in class and directly apply them to my work. Stuart School of Business also offered me career advice, guidance, and the chance to form professional relationships that will last for many years to come.”

—Scott Greene (M.P.P.A. ’16), Senior Budget Analyst, City of Chicago Office of Budget and Management

Roland Calia teaching

Recognized for Outstanding Teaching

The Greater Chicago Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) honors M.P.P.A. Program Director Roland Calia with the 2021 Louis Brownlow Faculty Member of the Year Award for excellence in teaching.

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Featured Faculty

Roland Calia

Roland Calia

Associate Dean Director, Master of Public Policy and Administration Director, M.S. in Environmental Management and Sustainability Industry Associate Professor of Public Administration
Joanne Howard

Joanne E. Howard

Clinical Assistant Professor of Public Administration
Bruc Gockerman

Bruce Gockerman

Industry Assistant Professor of Public Administration
Weslynne Ashton

Weslynne Ashton

Associate Professor Faculty Affiliate, Armour College of Engineering
Mike Fagel

Michael Fagel

Adjunct Faculty
Smriti Anand

Smriti Anand

Associate Professor of Management
Arthur Malinowski

Arthur A. Malinowski Jr.

Adjunct Faculty

Global M.P.P.A. in Cooperation with Hsiuping Institute of Science and Technology

The Stuart Master of Public Policy and Administration program offers a special Global M.P.P.A. program for qualified students in cooperation with Hsiuping Institute of Science and Technology (HUST). For more information, contact M.P.P.A. Program Director Roland Calia or Dr. Fei Yang at HUST (U.S. email address is yang5752@gmail.com).

One-Year Accelerated M.P.P.A. Program

The Stuart Master of Public Policy and Administration program offers a one-year, three-semester program option for international students. Students can choose among five concentrations to develop knowledge and skills in a specialized area. Classes are held in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. For more information, contact M.P.P.A. Program Director Roland Calia.

Master of Engineering in Public Works

The Stuart M.P.P.A. program collaborates with the IIlinois Tech Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering for the Master of Engineering in Public Works (Infrastructure Engineering and Management) program.

Stuart Stands Out

5%

Stuart is AACSB Accredited. Only 5% of Business Schools Globally Are.

—Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International

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Only Business School in a Tech-Focused University in Chicago