Program Overview Public Policy M.P.P.Public Policy Ph.D.

Why Study Public Policy?

The Master's in Public Policy program gives students valuable insight into the historical relevance of public policy on society and its ongoing influence today. Graduates of the program have established successful careers in health care, education, government, and the nonprofit sector.

Learn how to craft policy to solve society’s most pressing problems.

UMBC’s Public Policy master’s program is designed to teach you the inner workings of how policy is formed and how to critically analyze it in order to help solve some of the greatest systemic challenges in our society. You’ll examine the development of public policy through core specializations: evaluation and analytical methods; health policy; public management; and social science policy. With a sampling of classes from each area, you can expect to have a solid understanding of the public policy process and how to be an agent of change in this innovative interdisciplinary program.

At a Glance

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What Are My Career Options Studying Public Policy?

By earning your advanced degree at UMBC, you’ll gain invaluable insight into the historical relevance of public policy on society and its ongoing influence today. Some of the possible ways in which you can use your degree include discovering how to break down statistical information from federal programs, working with Medicare or Medicaid Services to learn how to better serve our communities, and assessing strategic issues facing the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. Our alumni have established successful careers in health care, education, government, and the nonprofit sector.

Tuition, Scholarships & Financial Aid

UMBC works to provide students with adequate need-based funding.

2025–2026 Graduate Cost Calculator Financial Aid Scholarships

Ready to Apply?

Review Master of Public Policy Requirements

GRE scores are not required. Resume required. Research paper strongly recommended.

M.P.P.-For best consideration, apply by February 15 for fall semester and November 1 for Spring semester.

Ph.D.- Applications must be received by January 15 for consideration for fall of the following year.

Admissions FAQ

All fulltime M.P.P. and Ph.D, students have the opportunity to apply for funding as a graduate assistant for up to 4 years. Graduate assistants work 20 hours per week with a faculty member on campus conducting research or providing teaching assistance. fulltime Graduate assistantships typically include a stipend, 10 hours of tuition remission and University health benefits. Students wishing to receive an assistantship via the School Public Policy will be considered for placement at the time of application. School of Public Policy assistantship placement is highly competitive, we encourage all applicants to explore funding options both internal and external to UMBC. Graduate assistantships are also available externally through UMBC Residential Life, and the Office of Graduate Student Life. Other funding sources can be reviewed on the Graduate School website here: https://gradschool.umbc.edu/funding/aid/

All students seeking aid should submit a FASFA application. The deadline for consideration for Graduate Assistantships is January 15. Students admitted for Spring 2021 and current students can also apply.

Start Your Graduate Admissions Application

Please note that application decisions can take 6-8 weeks after the program’s deadline, and depend on how many applications a department receives. You will receive an email once the department processes your decision letter. You will be able to see your decision letter by logging in to the application website. Your decision letter will be where the application checklist was. You may also check your recommendation statuses to send reminders or update contact information from the user page. If you are having trouble logging back in, you can recover your account.

Have Questions?

Please contact the appropriate Graduate School staff member for assistance, or contact our Main Office at gradschool@umbc.edu or 410-455-2537.

Application Deadlines

Spring Semester

All Students:
Apply by November 1

Fall Semester

All Students:
Apply by April 1
Apply (Non-Degree Seeking) by July 15

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Contact Information

Public Policy Program Contacts

Main Contact

410-455-3201

Program Director

Yusuke Kuwayama
kuwayama@umbc.edu

Program Coordinator

Shelley Morris
shelleym@umbc.edu

UMBC Graduate School Admissions Office Contact Information

Mailing Address

UMBC Graduate School
1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250

Admissions Staff

Staff are available from Mon - Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 410-455-2537

Request Help

Email Graduate Admissions at gradschool@umbc.edu.

Public Policy Graduate Programs