MPP Public Policy (Policy Informatics) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Public Policy program equips you with the analytical tools you need to understand and address public policy issues. You also develop skills in managing the process of policy development, approval, implementation and evaluation as well as gain policy-specific knowledge on issues such as poverty, education, the environment and public safety.

What you will study

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 513 Foundations of Data Science I: Introduction to Data Programming in R (3) PAF 516 Community Analytics (3) Restricted Electives (6 credit hours) PAF 514 Foundations in Data Science II: Data Wrangling (3) PAF 515 Foundations in Data Science III: Project Management (3) PAF 571 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Analysis (3) PAF 582 E-public Administration (3) PAF 591 Topic: Complexity in Public Policy and Management (3) PAF 591 Topic: Introduction to Policy Informatics (3) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone (3) Additional Curriculum Information Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives.

Career pathways

Graduates 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 in a local, state or federal agency; nonprofit organization; or private organization that interfaces with the public sector.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

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 a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Related fields include political science, planning, business, urban and metropolitan studies as well as 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.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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