Bachelor's/Master of Public Policy

You must meet with your primary Academic Advisor at your earliest convenience in order to review your academic plan. This meeting is intended to ensure that the PLCY requirements fit into your undergraduate schedule.  

For undergraduate Public Policy majors contact Ms. Eva Morgan at emorgan@umd.edu
For BSOS majors please contact bsosadvising@umd.edu

The dual degree program allows you to double-count 18 credits of graduate course work toward your undergraduate degree, with these credits taken as an undergraduate student at undergraduate tuition rates (saving you 18 credits of graduate-level tuition rates). The remaining 30 credits required to earn the Master's degree are taken as a graduate student, and can be completed in one year by taking 12 credits in both the fall and spring semesters and 6 credits in the summer or winter terms. By double-counting credits as an undergraduate student, and taking some courses during the summer or winter terms, you are able to complete the Master's degree with only one additional year of school.

Students are able to take up to 18 credit pre-approved eligible courses. Four of the 3-credit courses are from the core governance and quantitative skills sequence. For the credits to count towards the MPP master's degree, students must earn a minimum of a B- or higher.

GOVERNANCE SEQUENCE

• PLCY630 (formerly PLCY688E) Normative and Political Dimensions of Public Policy (3 credits)
• PLCY631 (formerly PLCY688G) Governance: Leadership, Management & Accountability (3 credits)

QUANTITATIVE SKILLS SEQUENCE

• PLCY640 Microeconomic and Policy Analysis (3 credits)
• PLCY610 Quantitative Aspects of Public Policy (3 credits)

When taking the courses as an undergrad there is a preferred order for students to take each course. Students may take courses beginning the first semester of acceptance or wait until the following semester. It is advised that students take PLCY630 (formerly PLCY688E) first followed with quantitative skills sequence course PLCY610. When taking PLCY631 (formerly PLCY688G) it is recommended that students take PLCY640.

Graduate electives that are counted in your 18 credits may have a preferred sequence depending on the specialization. Specializations are not required for students pursuing an MPP, however, electives are required to fulfill the 48 credits of the MPP program.

Read more about our specializations offerings. Each specialization has a preferred sequence with core foundational courses and electives. We recommend checking out the info of the specialization and choosing the core specialization courses to start off with as a Bachelor's/MPP student.

If you are pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy or certain majors within the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences(economics, government and politics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, geography, criminology and criminal justice or African American studies), you can apply as part of a pre-existing structured program. If you are pursuing any other major, you must apply for an individualized program and have the permission of both your primary undergraduate major department and the School of Public Policy. 

All students must schedule a meeting with their respective undergraduate Academic Advisor prior to discuss your program course of study before applying.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to public service
• Have declared a major in Public Policy or an approved BSOS major
• Shown academic success in core courses to respective major of Public Policy or BSOS
• Students are first eligible to apply when they are within two months of completing at least 60 credits with a cumulative 3.5 GPA, you may apply later
• Students are required to take ECON 200 AND STAT 100 with a grade of C or better or equivalent before registering for graduate-level PLCY courses

Please complete the program application. Questions can be emailed to Graduate Student Affairs at policy-BAMPPprogram@umd.edu. Recommendations can be provided electronically 

• Application
• Statement of Purpose
• 2 Letters of Recommendation from faculty members
• Transcript (unofficial is okay for the initial application process) . Official transcripts will be needed at the time of enrolling into the MPP program full time. 
• Resume
• U.achieve Audit (a PDF version is acceptable and may be sent directly by the student)

Admissions Deadlines

Fall Admission:

• Early: April 15
• Final: July 1 

Spring Admission:

•   Early: December 1
•   Final: January 7