Master of Public Administration - Economic and Financial Policy in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

The Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) is a two-year program comprising sixteen courses, with students generally enrolling in four courses per semester over four terms. While the M.P.A. curriculum provides a foundational framework, each student tailors their academic journey according to their specialized interests. Participants can select elective courses and pursue research projects across various university departments. The program features eight concentration areas: Environmental Policy, Economic and Financial Policy, Government, Politics, and Policy Studies, Human Rights and Social Justice, International Development Studies, Public and Non-Profit Management, Science, Technology and Infrastructure Policy, and Social Policy.

At Cornell's Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, students examine public policy and program management through an interdisciplinary lens. The curriculum explores the political mechanisms shaping policy formation, the economic rationale for government intervention in markets, and the comparative historical framework of public programs. Coursework covers public budgeting, financial systems, regulatory procedures, organizational behavior in both public and private sectors, and management strategies. Students also acquire analytical skills in qualitative and quantitative methods for policy evaluation while developing awareness of ethical considerations in policymaking.

M.P.A. candidates are required to undertake summer internships in their chosen specialization between their first and second years. The program culminates with a professional writing component, which students may fulfill through a research thesis, an internship-based report, or completion of the MPA Capstone project.

Those focusing on Economic and Financial Policy investigate the reciprocal relationship between public policy and economic/financial decisions. Studies may examine these interactions at various levels - from international institutions to local governments, NGOs, or private enterprises. Students benefit from the program's faculty expertise in this field and can specialize further in: (1) economic policy and public finance, (2) financial systems and policy, or (3) global economics.