Master of Public Policy
Georgetown’s Master of Public Policy program at the McCourt School prepares you to tackle complex challenges through impactful public policy.
Our MPP program in Washington, DC, gives you access to experienced professors, passionate peers and a vast network of policymakers and practitioners. Whether your aspirations lie on Capitol Hill, in think tanks, at non-profits or across international arenas, this public policy master’s degree provides the support and guidance you need to achieve your goals.
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
115+
Building a foundation for future policy leaders
With a focus on economics, quantitative methods, management and politics, our public policy graduates excel in policy design, analysis and implementation. The program includes core courses, a capstone experience and elective options. You will also develop vital skills in collaboration, critical thinking, economic analysis, ethical leadership, policy analysis and more through McCourt’s Foundational Skills. Choose between a thesis or client-based capstone, and expand your knowledge with faculty-led elective courses, customizing your education to match your interests and career goals.
A part-time option to fit your schedule
Our part-time evening option allows you to pursue advanced education while balancing other demands. All courses can be taken after traditional working hours with the same level of high-quality instruction and experience. You can finish the degree in three years, including two summers.
Skills you’ll gain
- Policy analysis
- Statistical and regression methods
- Economic concepts
Our expert faculty
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Nada EissaAssociate Professor
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Eugene DionneDistinguished University Professor
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Adriana KuglerProfessor
Putting your knowledge into practice
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) at Georgetown’s McCourt School equips you with strong problem-solving and analytical skills to succeed in a variety of policy-related roles. Whatever your career goals, our program will help you unlock your potential. Within six months of completing their degrees, 98% of 2024 graduates were employed or had secured job offers.
estimated median salary for MPP grads
*This data is from 246 alumni and Lightcast data.
work in the professional, scientific, and technical services industry
10.2% work in the executive, legislative and other General government support industry
*This data is from 246 alumni and Lightcast data.
said research was the top skill they gained
42.28% gained data analysis skills
34.55% gained policy analysis skills
*This data is from 246 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.
“I chose McCourt for its location in Washington, DC, the emphasis on quantitative, technical skills and the tight-knit community and incredible support for McCourt students. Coming from a large undergraduate university, I wanted a smaller community where faculty were accessible to students, and McCourt has definitely delivered.”
Alekhya Chaparala, MPP ’24
Frequently asked questions
In this program, you’ll grow as an effective leader who designs, analyzes and implements policy with impact. Beyond these skills, you’ll build a strong network that opens doors across diverse career paths, from Capitol Hill and think tanks to international organizations, nonprofits, government agencies and more.
Our graduates have made successful careers. Examples of their titles include:
- Public Policy Director
- Policy Analyst
- Research Fellow
- K-12 Policy Analyst
- Strategy Consultant
- Legislative Assistant
They work at organizations such as the Bipartisan Policy Research Center, Deloitte, The Brookings Institution and the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
The required internship is an important hands-on component of the MPP program, providing you with meaningful real-world experience that enhances your classroom learning. Your internship gives you the opportunity to apply your skills in policy analysis, data science and communication to real decision-making, preparing you to thrive in your future public policy career. Our students have previously interned with organizations such as the Center for Migration Studies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Institute for Middle East Peace.
You may be able to waive the internship requirement based on your prior work or internship experience.
The capstone experience can be completed through either a client-based consulting project or a thesis. Both take two semesters and you’ll answer a policy question in an analytically rigorous manner, drawing on what you’ve learned to this point. Previous capstone projects include:
- Conducting impact analyses of housing security and homelessness interventions
- Measuring the effects of energy efficiency policies on electricity consumption
- Conducting cost-benefit analyses of agricultural and value-chain interventions
The Master of Public Policy provides advanced analytical tools and a deep understanding of evidence-based policy formulation. With the knowledge you’ll gain in the degree, you’re empowered to craft innovative solutions to complex global challenges. Emphasizing quantitative methods, program evaluation and policy analysis, the MPP at the McCourt School prepares you to influence policymaking through rigorous research and cross-disciplinary insight.
An MPA centers on strategic leadership, organizational management and the effective administration of public and nonprofit institutions. It is designed to focus on ethical governance and operational excellence, while providing skills in budgeting, human resources and stakeholder engagement.
Featured MPP Stories
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How this McCourt Alumna is Helping Revive Local Journalism in Her Hometown
Erin Schrimpf (MPP’16) hosts a daily news broadcast for Missouri’s Jefferson City News Tribune, connecting communities to the public policy decisions that shape their lives.
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What is Public Policy?
Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy explains what public policy is and how it plays a role in our everyday lives, from ensuring access to healthy foods and high-quality…
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Join us in the Master of Public Policy program to become a force of positive change in the policy world.
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