Master in Public Policy - Social and Urban Policy in Cambridge United States | Harvard University

The Master in Public Policy (MPP) program equips you with both broad perspectives and specialized skills for a rewarding career in public service. In your initial year, you'll build professional expertise through courses covering: Economics, Ethics, Leadership, Negotiation, Political Science, Policy formulation and implementation, and Data analysis. The first year concludes with Spring Exercise - an intensive two-week simulation where you'll synthesize and apply knowledge from core courses. Typically, students complete a policy-focused internship during the following summer. Your second year culminates with the Policy Analysis Exercise, a practical thesis project. The academic setting provides valuable opportunities to explore emerging interests, and we actively encourage students to examine diverse policy fields.

MPP candidates can choose to focus on Social and Urban Policy (SUP). This specialization addresses critical areas including healthcare, education, workforce development, poverty reduction, criminal justice, housing, city planning, and economic growth - all aimed at enhancing societal welfare, particularly for disadvantaged populations. SUP's core policy areas have global relevance. Certain social policies, especially in healthcare, education, public security, and housing, strive to guarantee fundamental opportunities for everyone. Meanwhile, labor and social insurance policies provide safeguards against life-altering circumstances like job loss, severe illness, or financial insecurity during retirement. Additional policies target overall societal improvement while prioritizing vulnerable groups. Urbanization represents one of today's most significant global trends. As a SUP student, you'll analyze the complex governance issues arising from the need to balance economic growth, environmental sustainability, social justice, and quality living standards in major metropolitan areas.