Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.)
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 M.P.P.A. 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 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.
Note: The Academic Catalog (use the “View Details” link below) will be updated soon with the program’s current name. All curriculum details and requirements shown remain the same.
- 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 9 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.
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.
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).
Other Program Options
- Accelerated Master’s—Complete a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Public Policy and Administration in as few as five years.
- Design (M.Des.)/Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A)—In this dual-degree program, students pursue the Master of Design and M.P.P.A. simultaneously, preparing them to lead innovative initiatives in the civic sector.
- Stuart 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.
- The Public Policy and Administration Program offers certificate programs in Economic Development and Social Entrepreneurship, Nonprofit and Mission-Driven Management, Public Management, and Security, Safety, and Risk Management that are designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of busy professionals.
Program Specializations
- Nonprofit and Mission-Driven Management
- Security, Safety, and Risk Management
- Economic Development and Social Entrepreneurship
- The Public Policy and Administration program also offers a Master of Public Policy and Administration with Emergency Planning Focus degree program.
Seeking a new career path, Scott Greene combined his interest in government with a Stuart M.P.P.A. degree to land a position as a city budget analyst in Chicago.
Scott Greene (M.P.P.A. ’16)
As a graduate student at Illinois Tech and then as a policy researcher at a think tank, Yinman Zhong’s vision of policymaking has expanded, and so have her career goals.
Yinman Zhong (M.P.P.A. ’16)
Mental health treatment goes up, emergency calls go down. Stuart alumna Catherine Sanchez is leading the way to a win-win solution for Chicago police and the community.
Catherine Sanchez (M.P.P.A. ’17)
M.P.P.A. courses in policy analysis and quantitative research methods inspired Xi Chen to pursue a doctorate on the way to a potential academic career.
Xi Chen (M.P.P.A. ’17)
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.
Read More“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.”
Featured Faculty
Roland Calia
Joanne E. Howard
