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Policy Advocacy, MA

Policy Advocacy, MA

- INACTIVE

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Policy Advocacy, MA

Change, Communication, Influencer, Private, Public, lobbying, nonprofit, politics

ASU is no longer accepting new students to this program. Please explore Degree Search for other similar program options.


You can make a positive change in the world once you've become adept at creating and analyzing public policy. With your abilities, the right skills, and an understanding of how the political and legal worlds operate, you can become a change agent.

Program description
Degree awarded: MA  Policy Advocacy

Expertise and knowledge are required to navigate increasingly complex legal, communication, political and policy landscapes and to effectively create societal change. This has prompted various groups to use professionals to champion concerns and influence opinions, laws and policies on local and international levels.

The MA in policy advocacy is an applied degree program designed for those interested in acquiring the necessary skills to become effective agents of policy change, and it directly addresses elements of the ASU charter by creating opportunities to increase the professionalism of individuals who can represent these concerns at all levels.

Ethical, skilled policy advocacy professionals are in demand to represent all sections of society including nonprofit, private and public sectors.

At a glance
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree requirements

30 credit hours including the applied project course (CPP 593)

Required Core (6 credit hours)
PAF 505 Public Policy Analysis (3)
SWG 687 Public Policy and Advocacy (3)

Policy Restricted Electives (12 credit hours)

Advocacy, Communication and Change Restricted Electives (9 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
CPP 593 Applied Project (3)

Additional Curriculum Information
For restricted electives, students should see the academic unit for the current list of courses that may fulfill this requirement. Other courses may be substituted with approval from the program chair.

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. two letters of recommendation
  4. written statement
  5. professional resume
  6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information

An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Career opportunities

Typical career paths for graduates of this program include a variety of policy advocacy roles in the public, private and governmental sectors.

Career opportunities include:

  • communication directors and legislative assistants
  • governmental and intergovernmental relations officers
  • legislative analysts
  • lobbyists
  • policy analysts
Contact information
What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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