Complement an existing graduate degree with the fundamental skills of policy analysis with this full-time program that allows you to earn an MA in public policy in one academic year.

For those who already have an advanced degree but want to understand the public policy aspects of their field and are interested in attending school full-time, our one-year MA program in public policy provides the fundamental understanding of public policy and analytics to complement their experience. This program is also available to students enrolling for other graduate programs at the University.

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Program Details

Curriculum

Our curriculum consists of any five of the six core courses available to MPP candidates and four electives, for a total of nine courses. If you plan to combine this degree with another one-year master’s degree at the University, both degrees must be awarded during the same quarter. Those interested in the public policy studies program should inquire about formal arrangements when they apply to their primary program.

  • 9 graduate-level courses (900 units of credit), including a minimum of 7 Public Policy (PPHA) courses

  • Any 5 courses from the Harris core curriculum that provide a foundation in critical analysis, reflecting our belief that mastering quantitative and analytical skills prepares students to be effective public policy leaders:

    • Analytical Politics I:

      • PPHA 30800 Analytical Politics I: Strategic Foundations, or

      • PPHA 41501 - PhD Game Theory (instructor approval required and subject to seat availability)

    • Analytical Politics II:

      • PPHA 31610 Analytical Politics II: Political Institutions

    • Statistics Sequence I:

      • PPHA 31002 Statistics for Data Analysis I, or

      • PPHA 31202 Advanced Statistics for Data Analysis I, or

      • Any course in the PhD econometrics sequence (instructor approval required and subject to seat availability): PPHA 42000, PPHA 42100, or PPHA 42200

    • Statistics Sequence II:

      • PPHA 31102 Statistics for Data Analysis II: Regressions, or

      • PPHA 31302 Advanced Statistics for Data Analysis II, or

      • Any course in the PhD econometrics sequence (instructor approval required and subject to seat availability): PPHA 42000, PPHA 42100, or PPHA 42200

    • Microeconomics Sequence I:

      • PPHA 32300 Principles of Microeconomics and Public Policy I, or

      • PPHA 44100 PhD Advanced Microeconomics for Policy Analysis I (instructor approval required and subject to seat availability)

    • Microeconomics Sequence II. Choose from the following:

      • PPHA 32400 Principles of Microeconomics and Public Policy II, or

      • PPHA 44200 PhD Advanced Microeconomics for Policy Analysis II (instructor approval required and subject to seat availability)

Other Requirements
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.7 for all courses, based on a 4.0 scale
  • A grade of C- or better in the core courses
  • Completion of the math requirement (support available)
  • No more than 1 reading/research, independent study, or internship courses
  • No more than 1 course taken Pass/Fail (core courses cannot be taken pass/fail)
  • Courses with grades of F, I, W, or with no reported grade do not apply toward the 9-course requirement for the program.
Sample Schedule

Autumn

  • Microeconomics I (PPHA 32300)
  • Statistics for Data Analysis I (PPHA 31002)
  • Analytical Politics I: Strategic Foundations (PPHA 30800)

Winter

  • Microeconomics II (PPHA 32400)
  • Statistics for Data Analysis II: Regressions (PPHA 31102)
  • Analytical Politics II: Political Institutions (PPHA 31610)

Spring

  • Elective
  • Elective
  • Elective
A photo of Fiona Burlig
Research

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FAQs

International Development

I am interested in international development. Can I take classes in this area in this program?

If you are interested in international development, we recommend exploring the Pearson Institute International Policy and Development (IPD) Certificate.

The IPD is designed to prepare students for careers in government, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, or multinational corporations. The certificate’s curated list of electives is designed to allow students to explore multiple academic approaches to understanding development, including from economics, political science, statistics, and psychology.
Learn more here.

STEM

Is the MA program categorized as a STEM degree?

Consistent with the highly quantitative and analytic nature of the Harris School's full-time MA degree, Harris has categorized the MA under a code which is currently on the DHS STEM list. Students on F-1 visas who have earned a degree that has been designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a STEM degree may be eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training (OPT) so long as they meet all eligibility criteria at the time of application.

Christopher Berry

Faculty Spotlight

Christopher Berry
William J. and Alicia Townsend Friedman Professor

Christopher R. Berry is the William J. and Alicia Townsend Friedman Professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and the College. He is the academic director of the Center for Municipal Finance. He studies metropolitan governance and the politics of public finance.