Public Policy (Environmental Policy), MPP
Anthropology, Climate, Development, Ecology, Forestry, Global, International, Parks and Recreation Department Director, Planning, Policy Analysis, Public Policy, Urbanism, environmental policy, sustainability
Do you dream of leading, developing and implementing innovative policy solutions to some of the most complex environmental problems facing society? This top-ranked program can help you gain the analytical skills required for addressing challenges from local pollution to global climate change.
ASU ranks No. 10 for best graduate environmental policy and management program by U.S. News & World Report, 2024.
The Master of Public Policy program equips students with the analytical tools needed to understand and address public policy issues. Students also develop skills in managing the process of policy development, approval, implementation and evaluation.
Through a focused set of electives, the MPP concentration in environmental policy deepens student expertise in specific areas and issues, such as the implementation of sustainable practices in local governments, and builds the knowledge base and skills that enable them to bring sustainability solutions to the government, corporate and nonprofit sectors.
At the conclusion of the master's degree program, students are prepared to apply sustainability principles and approaches to careers in a variety of fields that address environmental and, inevitably, human challenges.
- College/school:
Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
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.
42 credit hours including the required capstone course (PAF 509)
Required Core (27 credit hours)
PAF 501 Public Service Research I (3)
PAF 502 Public Service Research II (3)
PAF 504 Microeconomics of Public Policy I (3)
PAF 505 Public Policy Analysis (3)
PAF 540 Advanced Policy Analysis (3)
PAF 541 Program Evaluation (3)
PAF 570 Microeconomics of Public Policy II (3)
PAF 573 Applied Econometrics (3)
PAF 574 Diversity, Ethics and Leading Public Change (3)
Concentration (6 credit hours)
PAF/SOS 545 Creating Sustainable Organizations (3)
PAF 546 Environmental Policy and Management (3)
Restricted Electives (6 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone (3)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students should contact the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives.
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 must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Related fields include political science, sustainability, planning, business, urban and metropolitan studies, and other social science disciplines, although the department may accept applicants with undergraduate degrees from all educational backgrounds provided the minimum requirements for the degree program are met.
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:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- two letters of recommendation
- written statement
- 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. Additional requirements for international students are at the international graduate admission website.
The letters of recommendation should be from faculty or other academic staff who can evaluate the applicant's academic performance.
The written statement should be one to two pages in length and describe the applicant's educational and career goals. This statement is also used as a sample of the applicant's writing abilities.
Applicants also may submit a resume or other documents.
Fees increase after the deadline.
Students enrolling in MPP core courses must demonstrate minimum competency in statistics and American government, typically through the completion of an undergraduate social statistics course such as PAF 301 Applied Statistics and undergraduate coursework in American national government such as POS 310 American National Government. Completion of prerequisite courses is not a requirement for admission but they must be completed within one semester after starting the program. Students may also satisfy the American national government competency by successfully completing a noncredit online course offered by the School of Public Affairs to incoming students.
Applicants should email spa@asu.edu if they have questions about the application process.
Graduates have an understanding of policies that address issues such as poverty, education, the environment and public safety, and they are prepared to pursue a career in a field related to public administration or public policy. This may include opportunities as either a manager or policy analyst whose work in a local, state or federal agency; nonprofit organization; or private organization that interfaces with the public sector.
The program can also serve as a platform for preparation for doctoral studies in public policy, public administration, urban studies and other related programs.
School of Public Affairs
|
UCENT 400
spa@asu.edu
602-496-0450
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.
