Public policy

MPP or Executive MPP
Online
delivery
$609 Based on current tuition rates. No additional charge for nonresident students. Does not include course materials and associated fees and expenses.†
per credit
4 This program starts in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer terms.§
start terms

When social, economic and environmental issues arise, policymakers are the first to step into the fray. Oregon State University’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Executive Master of Public Policy (EMPP) online degree programs will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in policy career fields.

Learn to integrate groundbreaking science into emerging policies and practices that will impact and influence local, regional and international policy decisions when you enroll in either of these interdisciplinary programs.

The 54-credit MPP program is ideal if you’re seeking career advancement and are interested in working for domestic and international organizations. The 45-credit EMPP program is tailored for mid-career professionals, and it is shorter than the MPP offering because it takes into account your status as a practitioner with 5+ years in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Skills you’ll gain in OSU’s online public policy master’s programs

As a student in Oregon State’s MPP or EMPP online programs, you’ll gain the in-demand skills you need to stand out in the job market and level up your career. You’ll learn from expert Oregon State faculty who have real-world policy experience.

  • Policy analysis and evaluation
  • Quantitative and qualitative research
  • Data-driven decision-making
  • Economic and impact analysis
  • Policy communication and problem-solving
  • Community and public engagement
  • Leadership and management
  • Public service ethics
OSU Public Policy graduate, Jessica Nguyen, smiles in the Oregon state courthouse in Salem, Oregon

Program details

The online Master of Public Policy program will provide you with experience in working collaboratively with the public. This is accomplished through conducting original policy research; practical exercises connecting with people from various backgrounds; and developing a public service ethic through service learning projects.

The Executive Master of Public Policy program features online coursework focused on mid-career leadership in public and nonprofit sectors. The curriculum's interdisciplinary approach will increase your access to research and practices that are relevant to your field of study and career aspirations.

The online public policy master’s degree and the executive master of public policy online program are offered by Oregon State’s College of Liberal Arts.

MPP degree requirements (54 credits)

A total of 54 quarter credits is required to graduate with your online master’s in public policy. Degree requirements and curriculum information are available on Oregon State's academic catalog.

EMPP degree requirements (45 credits)

A total of 45 quarter credits is required to graduate with your Executive Master of Public Policy degree online. Degree requirements and curriculum information are available on Oregon State's academic catalog.

Several people sit side-by-side at a long table with black curtains behind them. Each person has a microphone, and they talk to one another while gesturing.

Additional program features

You can select an area of focus from a variety of established concentrations or graduate certificates, or you can self-design a concentration with the approval of the public policy graduate program director.

Concentration options range from 20 to 24 credits for the MPP program and 16 to 20 credits for the EMPP program.

If you successfully complete both a certificate program and the master’s program, you will receive the certificate in addition to the MPP or EMPP degree.

If you have minimal work experience in public service or the nonprofit sector, we strongly encourage you to engage in a supervised internship as an MPP student. This internship will allow you to work closely with experienced mentors who will help you integrate theory with practice and introduce you to a professional network. You may choose to complete an internship aligned with your interests and career goals. The public policy graduate director can provide guidance as you identify opportunities using resources available through OSU and your own professional networks.

As a student in either the MPP or EMPP program, you’ll complete an 11-week policy lab capstone course online, in which you will work in teams to conduct policy research and analysis for an OSU School of Public Policy client partner. This collaborative effort challenges you and your classmates to apply methods and theory knowledge to emerging and relevant policy topics.

The policy research skills and knowledge you gain will be broadly applicable toward your career. At the conclusion of the course, you will present your findings and be evaluated on your contribution and quality of work. Each student will be assessed individually.

Oregon State’s Master of Public Policy program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration. NASPAA accreditation is based on a rigorous peer review process that evaluates programs against established standards for professional public service education. 

The MPP program has also been recognized by NASPAA for its commitment to inclusivity. This recognition is given to member programs that demonstrate exemplary commitment in areas including civic engagement, inclusion, sustainability and globalization.

Oregon State makes it possible for you to apply the credits you earn in an OSU degree, certificate or microcredential program directly toward the master’s degree in public policy programs. Up to 22 graduate credits may be transferred toward a 45-credit master’s degree.

You can earn the microcredentials or certificates below and transfer the credits to the MPP or EMPP programs. These credentials can also be completed alongside the degree, allowing to you develop and document specialized expertise:

Applying credits like this, an approach known as stacking, can help you build credentials over time and advance your career. It's also a great way to test a field of study through a series of courses before committing to a full degree program. For students like Ali Lanenga, stacking can make a journey to a degree feel more manageable. 

MPP
Explore the detailed admissions information for the Master of Public Policy program, including any application deadlines and required documents, on the College of Liberal Arts website.

EMPP
You can find detailed admissions information for the Executive Master of Public Policy program, including any application deadlines and required documents, on the College of Liberal Arts website.

Students are admitted to the MPP and EMPP programs four times per year, and you can begin your studies in fall, winter, spring or summer. Visit Oregon State's academic calendar for term start dates.

You can gain highly specialized skills that are in demand by employers — and do it with less of a time and financial commitment — when you earn a certificate or microcredential online from Oregon State. Choose from a large collection of short-form offerings that can help you upskill quickly.

Careers in public policy

The knowledge you acquire in Oregon State’s online Master of Public Policy or Executive Master of Public Policy program will help you fill in-demand jobs in the global marketplace. You’ll graduate ready to showcase your abilities and take on leadership roles in a variety of fields.

Job market outlook

Use the interactive tool on this page to discover employment trends, top occupations and salary details for professionals who have skills related to public policy. Please be aware that completing a program related to the job market information shown here does not guarantee employment or a specific salary.