Master of Arts in Social and Public Policy

The Master of Arts in Social and Public Policy program draws students who are committed to social change, are open and often experienced. The program helps prepare graduates for advanced careers within government and nongovernmental settings involving public policy, advocacy, health care, human services, philanthropy, policy research and analysis, policy implementation, public administration, and community work. Our students can specialize in any of the following areas, including public administration, human services, health care policy, poverty alleviation, child welfare, aging and veterans services.

Students may choose a general concentration or one in public administration.

Program Design

Social and Public Policy is a 30-credit master’s degree program that includes 10 3-credit courses. There are four core courses, four elective/concentration courses, and four research-related courses that conclude with a final project.

Required Courses

  • PPOL 6005 - Social and Public Policy Process
  • PPOL 6010 - Social Policy Perspectives
  • PPOL 6015 - Policy Implementation
  • PPOL 6020 - Research Methods
  • PPOL 6030 - Public Policy Analysis
  • PPOL 7010 - Final Project

Concentrations and Final Project

Students choose one of two concentrations: General or Public Administration.

General  *Public Administration
Elective 3cr PPOL 6085 - Public Administration 3cr
Elective 3cr PPOL 6170 - Public Finance 3cr
Elective 3cr PPOL 6180 - State and Local Government 3cr or NYS and Local Govt 3cr
Elective 3cr PPOL 6175 - Public Sector Decision Making 3cr

*Electives reflect individual interests and reinforce the focus of the degree. Many students choose to incorporate one of the advanced certificates into their master’s degree within the general concentration area.

The final project focuses on a topic of your interest that draws upon your prior course work and allows for a meaningful contribution to your field of study and/or practice. This is done through a professional project in the form of a policy memorandum.