Earn an On-campus or Online MPP at Temple University

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program offers an affordable education just steps from Philadelphia’s City Hall at Temple’s Center City Campus or fully online, with classes held in the evening. Whether you’re a recent college graduate or you’ve already started a career, the MPP program combines a robust research environment and real-world experience to help students learn the technical and analytical skills needed for successful careers in nonprofit organizations, or in the private or public sector. Learn to assess, develop and evaluate the effectiveness of government policies and programs at the federal, local and state levels. Temple’s Online Master of Public Policy (OMPP) degree offers students the same curriculum and faculty as our on-campus program but with 100% online classes. 

Students can complete both the on-campus and online Master of Public Policy in two or three years, although part-time students may take longer. You decide the learning pace that best balances your current career needs and your future career goals. When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to apply your newfound political understanding, policy analysis skills and leadership abilities and take the next step toward a life-changing career.

• View a schedule of our Upcoming Information Sessions

Master of Public Policy students can take advantage of elective courses offered by other College of Liberal Arts graduate programs as well as Temple University's hundreds of other courses. Examples include: 

• Criminal justice 
• Education policy 
• Health policy 
• Social policy 
• Economic Development 
• Geographic Information Systems 
• Statistics

The MPP Curriculum

The 36-credit MPP and OMPP curriculum consists of eight required courses, an internship and three electives. Full-time students are able to complete the program in two years or in as little as a year and a half if they enter in the fall semester and take courses in the summer. If you enroll part time, the program takes between three and five years. Our schedule of evening classes make the MPP program accessible for our students to work during the daytime. The OMPP offers additional flexibility, with a combination of asynchronous and synchronous evening components. You will gain practical experience with public and nonprofit organizations and work on real-world projects and programs designed to address public policy problems.

• Learn More about MPP’s Required Courses
• Learn More about the MPP Capstone

Students who matriculate into the In-person MPP program are permitted to take up to 6 credits of core, required MPP coursework online, excluding PLCY 8127 Public Policy Project. Requests to take required courses online must be approved in writing on a case-by-case basis.

Admission Requirements

Successful applicants to the MPP or OMPP programs have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. If you wish to inquire about your competitiveness for admission, send your resume and unofficial transcripts to mpp@temple.edu. 

The Public Policy Program is pleased to be able to offer application fee waivers to current members and alumni of the following public service programs: AmeriCorps, City Year and Peace Corps. Please email mpp@temple.edu to request a fee waiver prior to submitting your application.

Please visit the admissions page to learn more about graduate program requirements, dates and deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

MPP-MPH Dual Degree Program

We offer a dual degree program that allows graduate students to earn both a Master of Public Policy and a Master of Public Health (MPP-MPH). Federal, state and local governments play a large and growing role in public health by combating epidemics, funding research into public health problems and programs, issuing regulations, providing critical resources aimed at public education and training the public health workforce. Adding the MPP to the MPH will enhance your qualifications for jobs at the intersection of public policy and public health. MPP-MPH dual degree students are able to graduate in three years by earning 54 credits.

• Learn More about the Dual Degree MPP-MPH

Academic Support and Advising

As a student working toward your MPP, you will receive support and guidance from our program and Temple University. This includes regular advising sessions and communication with program staff, as well as and a focus on employment readiness, working with the Temple Career Center, assistance with internship placements and supporting permanent job search activities. All of our instructors are personable, helpful folks and are happy to work with students on an individual basis. If you have general questions about how to register for classes, find academic buildings, or the like, you can also contact us at mpp@temple.edu. 

Tuition and Fees

For more than 130 years, we have focused on providing a world-class education at an affordable price. Just compare Temple to other universities and see what we mean. Temple tuition rates vary by college or school, residency status, student level and more. Use the Temple Tuition Calculator to estimate your tuition rate.

Transferring Credits from Other MPP or MPA Programs into Temple

Students admitted to the MPP program can transfer up to six credits. The credits must have been earned at a reputable institution with a grade of B or better, and Temple must have equivalent courses in its course inventory. Students who wish to transfer credits need to submit a transcript listing the courses to be transferred and set up an appointment with the MPP Director to discuss transferring. Transfer students must apply to the MPP program and generally meet the same requirements as other applicants, although their performance in another MPP or MPA program will be given special consideration in the admissions decision. Questions about whether applicants qualify for waivers should be sent to mpp@temple.edu. For more info, read the full admission requirements.

Graduate Resources

• MPP FAQs
• Graduate School Policies
• Applying to Graduate School