University Catalog

Public Policy

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.uta.edu/.

Master's Degree

Doctorate Degree

Certificates

Minor Offered

Master in Public Policy

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) prepares students for challenging careers in the development, implementation and evaluation of public policies that require both the comprehension of complex urban issues and the application of tangible solutions. The degree places heavy emphasis on empirical methods essential in the public policy analysis. The program is organized around select public policy issues that focus on the economic/community development, environmental or healthcare challenges in the urban milieu. Students also have the option of designing an emphasis in an area of their own design, with the approval of the program director.

Because urban issues are complex, the program is interdisciplinary in character, curriculum content, and faculty. It provides a stimulating and inclusive environment for intellectual curiosity, rigorous inquiry and creativity and for developing new knowledge and putting it to work in the service of environmentally and economically sustainable healthy urban communities to ultimately improve the quality of life. It is designed to attract candidates that have technical expertise but desire to advance their knowledge of the dynamics of public policy in twenty-first century metropolitan regions. 

Students develop the knowledge and methodological skills needed to analyze, question, challenge and shape urban policy. They draw on a core of economics, political science and sociology to analyze and interpret multiple types of data in order to critically evaluate problems and provide alternative courses of action. 

PhD in Public Administration and Public Policy

Students are prepared for academic careers, positions in research institutions and upper administrative positions in public and non-profit organizations. The PAPP Ph.D. courses address the social sciences, public policy and public administration literatures critical to the integrative approach of the program.  Research methods courses include an intermediate quantitative methods course, an advanced quantitative methods course and a qualitative methods course.  Students select a three hour elective aligned with their research interests. Students are assigned an initial adviser based primarily on their research interests and add two additional supervising committee members by the end of their first semester to help guide them through their course of study.

A full-time student can expect to complete the required courses in no more than two academic years. Upon completing all courses (39 hours), students sit for their written comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination is an integrative exam that blends public policy issues with public administration. Students are permitted to pursue the degree as a part time student. This is typically accomplished by completing two courses per semester. Students are required to enroll fall and spring semesters per academic year to be considered an ongoing student. 

Students who complete a Masters in Public Administration or a Masters in Public Policy degree may be eligible to waive some coursework and are encouraged to meet with their advisory committee chair after admission to review their degree plan.