Master’s

Master of Public Policy (MPP)

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Important Dates

Fall 2025

Scholarship Deadline: December 15, 2024
International Deadline: May 1, 2025
Domestic Deadline: July 1, 2025

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Our Master of Public Policy will give you the tools to analyze, design, and advocate for policies that make a difference.

Advocate and innovate for a more just world.

With a Master of Public Policy, you will have the power to disentangle and provide effective solutions to the increasingly complex global, domestic, and local challenges we face. At USC Price, you will develop an extensive set of analytical skills used to develop evidence-based, innovative, and socially just policy solutions that improve the quality of life for people and their communities. You will put these ideas into action in research projects and a year-long practicum project where your findings will immediately benefit real-world clients.

Why Choose Price?

Getting a Master of Public Policy at USC Price is an unparalleled experience that offers comprehensive and specialized policy knowledge as well robust hands-on training.

Customizable

Students have autonomy to pursue their personal interests and align their training with their professional ambitions.

Career Focused

An immersive curriculum develops professional and practical skills for policy-related careers.

Real World Experience

During a year-long practicum project, you will provide recommendations to a local, national, or international organization.

Wide-ranging

Collaboration with faculty and fellow students in areas such as urban planning, public administration, health administration, and social innovation provides fresh insights to enrich your understanding of public policy.

James Irvine & Domestic Student Scholarships

Domestic students who apply by our December 15th deadline and are admitted to the MHA, MNLM, MPA, MPP, MPPDS, or MUP program are automatically eligible to receive scholarship funding.

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MPP 2023 Employment Data

98^%of MPP students secured employment, are pursuing a Ph.D. or other continued education within one year of graduating.

86% knowledge rate

Sector Breakdown

38^%Nonprofit Sector
29^%Public Sector
27^%Private Sector
6^%Graduate School

Public Policy Analysis Degree Return on Investment

Earnings 1 year after completion

$62,363

Earnings 10 years after completion

$112,570

Return on investment

$558,553

Data pulled from FREEOPP

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Our MPP alumni are shaping policy, leading organizations, and driving social change across public-, nonprofit-, and private-sector careers.

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“The MPP program at Price allowed me to build my professional network beyond the public service and transportation world I was familiar with in LA. I built up my confidence as an analyst and conquered my fears of quantitative analysis. I was able to passionately delve into my research area of interest, climate change resilience, and executed a variety of projects that demonstrated my mastery of the topic beyond the projects I led at work. Not only was I able to bring this new critical and analytical thinking lens to my work, but I was also able to leverage my research experience and gain a new opportunity as a lead consultant at my current employer, WSP.”

Andrina Dominguez

Assistant Vice President

WSP USA

“The Price MPP opened up new professional opportunities that previously felt out of reach. Price’s curriculum helped me develop the skills needed to serve the U.S. Congress as an analyst for the Government Accountability Office.”

Tim Smith

Analyst

U.S. Government Accountability Office, Los Angeles, CA

Financial Aid

Numerous financial aid opportunities are available for grad students.

Graduate Scholarships

Community Impact Scholarship

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USC Price is pleased to announce the Price Community Impact Scholarships for incoming masters students who plan to enroll in one of the following on-campus programs: MHA, MIPM, MNLM, MPA, MPP, MPPDS, and MUP.

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What to Expect in the MPP Program

Master of Public Policy students on the steps of City Hall

The Price Master of Public Policy equips you with the in-depth knowledge and skills you need to be an agent of change. As a student, you can expect the following from your education at USC Price:

Quality: USC Price is ranked among the top schools nationwide who offer an MPP program.

Rigor: Demanding classes based on a strong analytical core.

Collaboration: Work frequently on team-based projects with diverse classmates who are as smart, committed and caring as you are.

Real-World Action: Be a part of case studies, domestic and international labs, internships, and more, with opportunities to work with research centers and community-based research.

Inclusive Approaches: We value inclusivity not just in education, but in our ability to become true community partners in impact.

Cutting Edge Resources: Instruction in and access to leading technological resources for data analysis.

Unmatched Connections: Learn from world-class faculty who engage with you in meaningful research, build professional connections through your year-long practicum experience, and become a part of the global USC Trojan Network.

The Master of Public Policy program utilizes a cohort model in which students typically enroll full-time and complete the degree in two years. Students pursuing dual degrees are expected to complete the MPP portion of their coursework in two years, with overall time to degree completion depending on the additional degree obtained.

An Unparalleled Practicum Experience

Engage with clients directly through our Policy Analysis Practicum to address a real-world public policy challenge, giving you the chance to enter the professional world while still learning as a USC Price student. Past MPP student groups have worked for the United Nations, Los Angeles Mayor’s Sustainability Office, the National Park Service, and more.

With a program distinctly different from other Master of Public Policy degrees, the USC Price practicum functions like a pro-bono consulting firm. An expansive network of top-quality clients is created and your selected boss becomes both a client and professional touchstone. With support from your practicum instructors and classmates, you will complete a unique project and graduate prepared to take on your next professional endeavor with confidence and expertise.