WHAT PROBLEMS DO YOU WANT TO SOLVE?
Master of Science in Public Policy & Management (MSPPM)
Heinz College is a public policy school like no other. That’s because we're so much more than a policy school.
To tackle society’s most complex problems, you need a firm understanding of policy, but also the analytical foundations to create the right solutions—and the management prowess to deploy those solutions for maximum impact. The Master of Science in Public Policy & Management (MSPPM) program at Heinz College gives you skills that simply cannot be matched by any other school of public policy, school of management, or school offering purely technical training.
Policy. Technology. Management. Heinz College is the only place to get all three.
Heinz skills you in these areas by expanding your education outside the confines of the classroom. Many of our classes feature a real-world component. Team-based Capstone projects challenge you to solve a problem for a government, nonprofit or business client. And only at Heinz can you find opportunities like the Policy Innovation Lab.
What is Public Policy and Management at CMU?
The Public Policy and Management program is available in four distinct pathways—our flagship two-year and three-semester programs in Pittsburgh, our award-winning Data Analytics program, and our Washington D.C. option for those seeking an immersion in policy analysis in our nation’s capital. Regardless of the path you choose, our MSPPM program builds well-rounded thinkers prepared to change the world at the nexus of people, policy, and technology. You will emerge a leader with the ability to analyze policy issues and implement solutions for a better world.
Internships, Impact, & Practical Experience
What Can I do with a master's in public policy?
Stories of Impact
Read our articles and stories about Heinz College's impact in public policy and policy analytics
Some of the world’s greatest challenges that our faculty and students are working to solve include:
- Modeling routes to place optimal charging stations for an all-electric bus fleet
- Blocking the financing of terrorism and human trafficking
- Removing barriers to employment opportunities for veterans
- Predicting mental-health events before they occur to facilitate early interventions
- Helping companies improve their environmental, social, and governance practices
- Improving communications between health care providers and school nurses
- Using large language models to help a policy think tank access Congressional information
- Reducing homicide rates using machine learning
- Measuring the progress of racial justice and gender equity in the local community
- Expanding access to food and breastfeeding support for women, infants and children
- Enabling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to serve 20,000 additional callers
- Analyzing the full scope of emissions to help a global automotive company reduce its carbon footprint
Top-Ranked Programs
Leader in Innovation
A Diverse, Inclusive Community
Incomparable Outcomes
My Story: Maggie
Maggie Harger's Capstone project modeled the optimal placement of charging stations for Pittsburgh's electric buses of the future.
My Story: Stachal
Heinz College stood out to Stachal Harris because of its emphasis on not only social policy, but on data-driven solutions.
My Story: Clarissa
Clarissa Paz fell in love with Geographic Information Systems upon arriving at Heinz College and cherished the opportunity to work with Professor Kristen Kurland, a GIS expert.
Trail-Blazing Faculty
Our faculty are innovators who solve emerging problems at the nexus of technology and society.
Public Policy Pathways and Concentrations - What are my options?
Choose the experience and pathway to drive your mission:
Consider a Concentration:
Personalize Your Experience:
Why should you get a masters in public policy from CMU?
Hands-On Learning, real-world impact
Our practical learning opportunities will enrich your Heinz College experience. Look no further than the GovScan team, who worked with a project lead in the federal government to develop a tool that helps researchers find the information they seek in a matter of seconds, not hours.
"The team took the time to really understand the challenges facing their partner and then created something that directly addressed the problem,” said Professor Chris Goranson, their faculty advisor. The students gained real-world experience by taking on a real-world challenge.
GovScan team members, left to right: Tyler Faris, Eashwari Samant, Aakash Dolas, and Davis Craig
Nearly 95% of our Public policy program students receive aid
The Heinz College Public Policy program offers various scholarships - including merit-based awards and competitive fellowships - to help students finance their education. Students can access employment opportunities to further offset educational costs.
Heinz College commits millions of dollars annually toward financial support for our students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find what you were looking for on this page? Check out our Admissions Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information on any of the topics or processes outlined above.
What's Next?
Get all the details about applying to our public policy and management program, including:
- application deadlines
- scheduling a visit
- attending an online info. session
- connecting with a current student
Ready to apply? Check out our graduate application checklist now!