Master of Policy Management
The Master of Policy Management (MPM) empowers policy changemakers dedicated to shaping the future by tackling complex challenges through impactful public policy.
Located in the heart of Washington, DC, at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, you’ll have access to experienced professors, passionate peers and a vast network of policymakers and practitioners. Whether your aspirations lie on shifting policy on the Hill, in think tanks, at non-profits or across international arenas, our Master of Policy Management program provides the support and guidance you need to achieve your goals in the dynamic field of public policy.
At a glance
Application deadlines
Fall term 2027
- December 1: Early action deadline
- January 15: Priority deadline
- March 1: Final deadline
Program duration
2 years, full-time
3 years, part-time
Credits
- 48 total credits
- 24 core credits
- 18 elective credits
- 6 credit capstone project
Average cohort size
71+
Make an impact with the Master of Policy Management degree
The McCourt School’s Master of Policy Management at Georgetown University is designed specifically for current or emerging policy leaders like you. Our one-year intensive program provides the essential management and analytical skills necessary to advance your career and address pressing policy challenges. With a curriculum that strikes a balance between analytics, management and a mastery within specific policy areas, the program empowers you to change the world as a policy leader.
We offer both full-time and part-time options for MPM students, so our degree can meet you where you are. Our part-time students take evening classes during the academic year and participate in four week-long Summer Institutes that take place during the day.
A comprehensive approach to leadership in policy
The Master of Policy Management is a 36-credit program that comprises four summer institutes, core courses, five elective courses and a final capstone project. The MPM curriculum strikes a balance between analytics, management and policy substance, giving students a comprehensive education in policy management. You’ll also develop vital skills in collaboration, critical thinking, economic analysis, ethical leadership, policy analysis and more through McCourt’s Foundational Skills. Upon completion, you’ll be able to address specific policy problems by integrating analytic, management and advocacy considerations.
A Part-Time Option to Fit Your Schedule
The part-time Master of Policy Management offers flexibility to balance life with educational pursuits. Fall and spring courses can be taken in the evening. The only daytime attendance required is for the Summer Institutes. Part-time students can finish the degree in two years.
Skills you’ll gain
- Economic analysis
- Mastering the policy process
- Decision-making
Our expert faculty
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Ning LengAssistant Professor
Accelerate your career
The McCourt School’s Master of Policy Management program fast-tracks experienced professionals into senior policy leadership roles. The intensive one-year program’s comprehensive skill-building in management and policy analysis, downtown Washington, DC location and world-class professors position our graduates for immediate impact. Hear what program participants think sets McCourt apart.
Putting your knowledge into practice
Our graduates thrive in public, private, nonprofit and multilateral sectors, making a meaningful impact on how policy is made. Whether looking to advance on your current path or embark on a new journey, our program can provide you with the skills and knowledge for success. Within six months of completing their degrees, 95% of 2023 graduates were employed or had secured job offers.
*This data is from 109 alumni and Lightcast data
Meet our changemakers
As a diverse group of problem solvers, we’re dedicated to turning bold ideas into impactful action. In life at the McCourt School at Georgetown, we believe in the power of learning from your peers. Our students come from all walks of life and backgrounds, offering a rich community of experiences and perspectives. Together, we engage in policy-relevant research and strive to make the world a better place.
“Applying for this program at this stage of my career I felt would provide the skills and abilities to be a more impactful servant leader for the communities we serve. I chose McCourt because I believe the MPM program would give me a better framework on what it takes to embody equitable principles when leading efforts in cross-cultural organizing.”
Edidiong Obot, MPM’24
Frequently asked questions
The Master of Public Policy, Master of Policy Management and Executive Master of Policy Leadership all have distinct yet complementary skill sets designed to propel graduates into leadership roles across the public, nonprofit and private sectors.
The MPP program provides a set of core skills in economics, quantitative methods, management and politics. empowering graduates to develop innovative, evidence-based solutions to complex challenges. This foundation is preparation for careers that demand strategic policy formulation, critical thinking and a deep understanding of governance, enabling impact at local, national and global levels.
The MPM program balances analytics, management and substantive focus within specific policy areas. It equips mid-career professionals to navigate and influence the complexities of policy environments effectively. MPM graduates grow their capacity to lead teams, manage stakeholders and drive ethical, sustainable change within governmental agencies, international organizations and nonprofits. Students need at least five years of work experience to be admitted.
The EMPL program is designed for mid- to senior-level professionals who want to elevate their leadership and strategic capacities while maintaining full-time careers. This flexible program emphasizes applied policy, management and leadership, equipping students to lead effectively within complex policy environments. EMPL graduates enhance their policy language to pivot into or advance through the field. Students need at least 10 years of work experience to join the program.
You’ll earn 12 of your required credits through four summer institutes, week-long intensive courses that offer an in-depth exploration of essential policy topics. These institutes are the first courses you’ll take and form the foundation of the degree, preparing you to step confidently into policy leadership roles.
The summer institutes you will take are:
- PPOL 5300: MPM Public Management or PPOL 5313: Comparative Public Management
- PPOL 5301: The Public Policy Process or PPOL 5003: Comparative Policy Process
- PPOL 5303: Ethics & Public Policy
- PPOL 5305: Decision-Making for Public Policy
In the MPM degree, 15 of your credits come from electives, offering a valuable opportunity to explore your interests and deepen your passions, building on the strong foundation established in the required courses and summer institutes. You can select from McCourt elective courses taught by expert faculty, as well as from electives offered by other Georgetown graduate programs or by the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Our students have taken electives in areas such as education and health policy, government, international relations and even languages, tailoring their studies to support their career goals and personal growth.
Featured MPM stories
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Request more information
Join us in the Master of Policy Management program to gain the management and analytical skills to lead policy and solve the most pressing problems we face.
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