Master of Public Policy and Management at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The MPPM is a mid-career master's that lets professionals advance their skills on real-world problems for government, nonprofit and public-service careers. Because it credits work experience, it requires 10 courses (30 credit hours) rather than the 48 credit hours of other SPIA master's programmes. It can be completed online, in person or as a mix.

Faculty: School of Public and International Affairs | Department: Master of Public Policy & Management (mid-career) | Duration: 30 credit hours (10 courses); online students finish in five terms (20 months) taking two courses per term | Intake: Fall, Spring or Summer terms | Study mode: online | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Ten courses: four required courses blending theory, skills and professional interests, plus six electives. On campus, evening classes meet one day a week with access to the full SPIA course menu; online students follow a set curriculum of two web-based courses (6 credits) per term taught by Pitt faculty with an assigned advisor and enrollment counselor.

Career pathways

Class of 2024 employment: 13% international government, 13% federal government, 57% nonprofit/NGO, 17% private.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Resume showing 5 or more years of full-time work experience beyond an entry-level position with increasing responsibility, especially in program management, budgeting and finance, human resource management, and policy formulation or implementation. Application: resume, personal statement of about two double-spaced pages, two letters of recommendation from past or present supervisors, undergraduate (and any graduate) transcripts, nonrefundable $50 fee. GRE and GMAT scores should not be submitted. International applicants: TOEFL minimum 80 iBT (new scale 4.0 overall and in each subscore), IELTS 6.5 overall and in each subsection, or Duolingo 120. Deadlines for US citizens and permanent residents: Fall June 1, Spring November 1, Summer March 1; international applicants: Fall January 15, Spring August 1, Summer January 15.

Domestic applicants: USD 27,412 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident graduate tuition, School of Public and International Affairs, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 49,272 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) graduate tuition, School of Public and International Affairs, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

Entry terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) and deadlines are set by each school or department; the University's graduate catalog lists Fall, Spring and Summer terms for new graduate students.

Graduate and professional applications are made online to the school or department of intended study, with deadlines set by each school or department; official English-test results are required from applicants from countries where English is not the official language.

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