Which Program is the Best Fit?

As you begin your application process, you may be wondering which of our master’s programs is the best fit for you.

We've laid out a quick side-by-side comparison, followed by a closer look at each program—including who tends to thrive there and what our students and alumni have to say about their experience. We've also shared some frequently asked questions with Senior Director of Recruitment Devon Reber Drehmer.

At a Glance

Program	Length	Description
Master of Public Policy (MPP)	2 years	Our flagship program — broad policy training with the most elective flexibility
MA in Public Policy (MA)	1 year	Complementing an existing degree or work background with policy fundamentals
MS in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP)	2 years	Public policy at the intersection of data science and big data
Evening Master's Program (EMP)	15 months	Mid-career professionals who want to keep working full-time
MA in Public Policy with Certificate in Research Methods (MACRM)	2 years	Research-methods-intensive path built for PhD-bound students
MS in Climate and Energy Policy (MSCEP)	11 months, summer start	Specialized, highly quantitative training in climate and energy policy

Master of Public Policy (MPP)

Our flagship, two-year Master of Public Policy (MPP) program equips you with the data science and analytical skills needed to impact today's most complex policy issues.

You may be a good fit if you:

• Aren't yet set on one specific policy area and want room to explore through electives
• Come from a varied academic background—no uniform prior training required
• Want the largest, most diverse cohort at Harris
• Are ready to commit two years full-time

Meet some of our MPP students and alumni:

• Briana Diaz, MPP'24—Financial analyst at the Illinois Governor's Office of Management and Budget.
• Yilin Zhao, MPP Class of 2028—Zhao hopes to connect her background in economics with data analysis to design and evaluate policies to advance equity and sustainability.

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MA in Public Policy (MA)

Complement an existing graduate degree or significant work experience with the fundamental skills of policy analysis in this full-time program, and earn your MA in Public Policy (MA) in one year.

You may be a good fit if you:

• Already hold another graduate degree, or have 5+ years of relevant work experience
• Are looking to pivot to or level up in the policy space
• Want to add policy skills to an existing career rather than start from scratch
• Need to minimize time away from the workforce

Meet some of our MA students and alumni:

• Dontae Bell, AM'19—An Air Force pilot and Truman Scholar, Bell uses his Harris training to help expand pathways into aviation and public service for underrepresented communities.
• Jinghan Zhu, AM'20—Formerly a research assistant at the Ministry of Finance for the People's Republic of China, Zhu now works as a Correspondent for the China Media Group Foreign Affairs Bureau.

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MS in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP)

Apply big data to big problems and prepare yourself for a career at the intersection of public policy and data science with the MS in Computational Analysis and Public Policy (MSCAPP).

You may be a good fit if you:

• Want a career specifically at the data-science/policy intersection
• Have a strong quantitative background—a computer degree isn't required, but comfort with quantitative coursework is expected
• Have a few years of relevant work experience
• Want a smaller cohort and access to higher level computer and data science electives

Meet some of our MSCAPP students and alumni:

• César Núñez Huamán, MSCAPP‘26—Previously a consultant on World Bank and UNICEF-adjacent projects in Peru, Núñez Huamán aspires to use his MSCAPP skills as a backend data engineer for a large metropolitan city.
• Alena Stern, MSCAPP'19—Now Chief Data Scientist at the Urban Institute, Stern leads a team building data tools that make equity analysis accessible to policymakers and communities.

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Evening Master's Program (EMP)

Designed for mid-career professionals to gain the skills needed to lead their organizations through complex policy challenges and accelerate social impact, the Evening Master's Program (EMP) allows you to earn your MA in public policy part-time while continuing to work.

You may be a good fit if you:

• Are a mid-career professional (roughly 5+ years of experience)
• Need or want to keep working full-time while earning your degree
• Want to lead within your current organization or pivot careers entirely
• Can commit to a 15-month, evening-based schedule

Meet some of our EMP students and alumni:

• Hannah Flint, PWC'25, EMP Class of 2026—Flint is using the skills she's gaining at Harris to make an impact in the Chicago Police Department.
• Nebi Celik, EMP'24—A Vice Consul at the Turkish Consulate General in Chicago, Celik balanced full-time diplomatic work with the EMP's evening schedule: “It's a great program at one of the best universities, and it's perfect for working professionals because of the flexibility and course scheduling.”

Please note that part-time programs are not eligible for student visa sponsorship.  International students who will require a student visa for study should apply for a full-time degree program at Harris. 

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MA in Public Policy with Certificate in Research Methods (MACRM)

Receive one-on-one faculty mentoring and experience research and quantitative methods with the MA in Public Policy with Certificate in Research Methods (MACRM), designed for people who want to do academic research or a PhD.

You may be a good fit if you:

• Are aiming for a PhD program or a research-focused career
• Already have a strong quantitative foundation (probability & statistics, multivariate calculus, matrix algebra)
• Want one-on-one faculty mentoring as a core part of your training

Meet some of our MACRM students and alumni:

• Raul Leon, MACRM'24—Leon is building on the research foundation he developed at Harris as he pursues his PhD in Economics at Brown University.
• Sophie Lara, MACRM Class of 2027—Lara pivoted from a UChicago biology degree to an MA in Political Science before landing at Harris; she describes MACRM as “almost like a pre-PhD program.”

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MS in Climate and Energy Policy (MSCEP)

A one-year, full-time program training future leaders at the intersection of climate science, energy technology, data science, economics, and public policy—developed in partnership with UChicago's Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth.

You may be a good fit if you:

• Want to specialize in climate and energy policy specifically, rather than a broad generalist track
• Are comfortable with an intensive, highly quantitative curriculum from day one (Python, statistics, data visualization)
• Want hands-on fieldwork—the program includes a September experiential module with site visits to West Texas and New York
• Can commit to a fast-paced, 11-month timeline with a summer start

Learn more about MSCEP’s first cohort. Applications for the next MSCEP cohort open this fall. Complete the inquiry form now.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Senior Director of Recruitment Devon Reber Drehmer shares some of the most frequently asked questions we receive pertaining to our programs.

I'm interested in MSCAPP but don't have a background in computer science. Can I still apply?

You do not need a background in computer science or any other particular degree to apply to MSCAPP. The program does look for students who have strong quantitative backgrounds and usually a few years of work experience.

I'd like to eventually do a PhD. Can I do that with the MPP, or only the MACRM?

Students can pursue a PhD after completing an MPP, but the MACRM is specifically designed to prepare students for PhD programs and careers in research.

I'm not sure what type of work I want to do after graduate school, but I know I want to work in a specific policy area. Which degree is the best fit for me?

Typically the MPP will be the best fit. After completing the core, you'll have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of elective courses that let you explore policy areas and solutions from different perspectives. You can also take up to six electives outside of Harris to gain a well-rounded perspective in your policy area.

What should I know about MSCEP before applying?

MSCEP just welcomed its first cohort in July 2026, so there isn't yet an alumni track record to point to—but the program was built specifically for students who want deep, specialized training at the intersection of climate, energy, and policy, backed by UChicago's Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth. Applications for the next cohort open this fall.

Can I apply to more than one program?

Please do not start more than one Harris application. If you would like to be considered for more than one program, apply to the program you are most interested in pursuing, and indicate on your application the other programs for which you would like to be considered.

Are there joint or dual degree options?

Yes. Harris offers joint degrees with the University of Chicago Law School, Booth School of Business, Divinity School, and Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, as well as five-year BA/MPP and BA/MSCAPP options for current UChicago undergraduates. Learn more about joint and dual degree options.