Master of Public Policy

Have you ever wondered how governments decide what issues or problems most require attention? Have you ever wanted to participate in making decisions that determine how these issues and problems are addressed? If you answered "yes," then maybe the UCI Master of Public Policy is right for you. 

Public policy studies how governments decide which problems should be addressed; how these decisions should be designed and crafted; who should participate in their design; and, how to determine if the decisions that result actually work. We call these solutions "public policies" because: 1) they affect many people, not just a few (i.e., they are "public") and the solutions produced take the form of laws, regulations, and practices (collectively called "policies"). 

We happen to think that UCI has one of the best Masters of Public Policy programs around, and we'd like to invite you to apply for admission. We say this because:

• Our faculty are world-class researchers who specialize in issues of urgent concern to society. If you choose to study here, you will be able to specialize in areas such as the environment and sustainability, health care, education, and urban problems (e.g., affordable housing and transportation). 
• We don't just study public policy, we practice it. Many of our faculty advise policy-makers in the drafting of laws, the best ways to incorporate public opinion in decisions, and the most effective means to implement policy. Our graduates work in organizations and public agencies that do the same.
• Our classes are small (around 20-25 students on average) and our faculty are friendly, accessible, available, and caring. You won't be a number at UCI - you'll have the opportunity to get to know your professors and to draw on their expertise and experience in your own career development.