Master of Public Policy - Social Policy in Eugene United States | Oregon State University

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) equips students for professional roles in both domestic and global organizations, while also providing development opportunities for working professionals seeking career progression. The Ph.D. in Public Policy trains graduates for research-oriented positions across academic, government, private, and nonprofit sectors. The Public Policy Graduate Program welcomes applicants from relevant academic fields, offering degree programs that develop analytical capabilities, policy process expertise, and specialized knowledge in specific policy domains.

Numerous societal issues confront the United States—including economic disparity, food insecurity, housing instability, educational access gaps, and service needs for children, elderly populations, and migrant communities—that test current systems and institutional frameworks. Tackling these complex challenges demands both multidisciplinary theoretical approaches and practical solutions grounded in real-world problem-solving. The Social Policy specialization aims to cultivate interdisciplinary researchers who conduct location-based, mixed-methods studies to advance solutions for these pressing issues.

Students in this concentration have created impactful initiatives through fieldwork, academic study, and research projects, including Latino community engagement efforts, services for homeless youth, neighborhood diversity strategies, energy efficiency programs for low-income households, and various other community-based policies improving quality of life.