Graduate School

Oregon State University offers both Master and PhD Public Policy degrees for students interested in the study and practice of policy about issues critical to Oregonians and the world, drawing on the traditional strengths and emerging signature areas of OSU. While there is a science of policy including theoretical and methodological approaches that we expect students to master, the discipline of policy is closely connected to the practice of policy design, implementation, and assessment, and our program is designed to ensure that students interact with policy-makers as well as the knowledge-producers who support policy decisions.

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) specifically prepares students for careers in domestic and international organizations and offers training for "in-service" students (already employed) desiring professional growth and advancement. The Ph.D. in Public Policy prepares students for academic or non-academic research careers in the public, private, and nongovernmental sectors. The Public Policy Graduate Program accepts students with backgrounds in related academic disciplines. The degrees are designed to provide individuals with analytic skills, an understanding of public policy processes, and substantive knowledge in a specific policy area.

The Executive Master of Public Policy (EMPP) at Oregon State University is designed for mid-career professionals with 5+ years in the public and nonprofit sectors who are interested in moving up in their positions or who are looking to transition from the private sector to a career in public service. Students can move through the program at their own pace and all coursework is available online through OSU Ecampus. The EMPP is a 45-credit (quarter) program with interdisciplinary core coursework, five policy concentrations, and a final applied policy capstone project.