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Master of Public Management Curriculum

How to Apply

You think of Carnegie Mellon University as the birthplace of AI, the institution that sends robots to Mars, and the home of self-driving cars and Tony Award winners. It is all those things, but there is a place here for you, too. Apply the same evidence-based analysis skills to help you make an impact right here in Pittsburgh with a Master of Public Management degree.

The Public Management curriculum is designed with professionals in mind, so you never have to miss work. All classes are offered in the evening. If your work schedule allows, however, you can enroll in elective courses that are offered during the day as well.

The MPM program has three tracks, allowing you to select the pace that fits you:

  • Accelerated: 15 months (with transfer credit)
  • Standard: 20 months
  • Extended: 24 months

All tracks are available for Fall, Spring or Summer starts.

Public Management Curriculum

For detailed curriculum information, please visit the MPM Program Handbook.
 

  • Statistical Reasoning (90-707)
  • Financial Statements and Analysis (90-723)
  • Intro to Database Management (90-728)
  • Optimization and Risk Modeling (91-819)
  • Business Analytics for Managers (95-866)
  • Strategic Presentation Skills (90-718)
  • Business Writing for Leaders (91-717)
  • Organizational Design and Implementation (94-700)

Plus a minimum of 6 Leadership units:

For class, syllabi, and faculty information, please visit the Heinz College course catalog.

MPM students have a great deal of flexibility in elective coursework, so you can focus on the areas that matter most to you. The electives listed below are a sample of Heinz College courses* that may interest MPMs, organized by subject area.

Public Policy / Nonprofit

  • Nonprofit Statements and Analysis
  • Fundraising and Individual Giving (93-826)
  • Sponsorships and Institutional Giving
  • Arts in Education
  • Policy Innovation Lab: Public Interest Technology (90-738)

Analytics / Technology

  • Programming R for Analytics (94-842)
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (94-802)
  • Product Management in IT (95-808)
  • Measuring Social Media (94-823)
  • Media and Communication Design (90-801)
  • Web Application Development (95-881)

Management / Leadership

Economic Development and Planning

  • Urban and Regional Economic Development (90-743)
  • Real Estate Development (90-748)
  • Resilient and Sustainable Communities (90-789)
  • Civic Engagement as a Community Process
  • Development Financial Tools for Sustainable Economic Development (90-843)

Health Care

*Students may also enroll in graduate-level courses from other departments across Carnegie Mellon University’s campus, with approval.

For class, syllabi, and faculty information, please visit the Heinz College course catalog.

MPM students have the option to pursue a self-declared specialization to tailor their academic experience to their professional interests and career goals. Specializations are not required, but they can provide structure and focus to elective coursework. 

To declare a specialization, students must complete a minimum of 24 units of related coursework that demonstrates a clear, coherent focus in a particular area of study. Courses may be drawn from across Heinz College and other CMU departments, with advisor approval, provided they support the student's intended area of specialization.

Common areas of specialization include:

  • Health Care Management
  • Arts Management
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Leadership and Strategy
  • A customized focus area (approved by the student’s academic advisor)

Students will work with their academic advisor and/or the program director to declare a specialization prior to completing 60 units in the program. Early planning ensures appropriate course sequencing and alignment with career goals. Specializations are not formally recognized on the transcript or diploma but may be referenced on resumes and in interviews as part of a student’s professional narrative.

MPM students can also earn a concentration in AI Management. 

Sample Public Management Class Schedule

  • At Carnegie Mellon University, courses are counted in units instead of credits.
  • Three units are roughly equivalent to one credit at many of our peer institutions.
  • A semester-long course is 12 units, while a half-semester class (called a mini) is six units.

The following schedules are intended to be examples of the structure of the semester. Courses may not always be offered in this fashion.

Standard Pace – 24 Units per Semester, 20 Months

  • Fall Y1: Statistical Reasoning (12), Electives (12)
  • Spring Y1: Financial Statements (6), Database (6), Electives (12)
  • Summer Y1: Writing (6), Presentation (6), ODI (6), Electives (6)
  • Fall Y2: Optimization (6), Leadership Bin (6), Electives (12)
  • Spring Y2: Business Analytics (6), Electives (18)

Extended Pace – 18 Units per Semester, 24 Months

  • Fall Y1: Statistical Reasoning (12), Electives (6)
  • Spring Y1: Financial Statements (6), Database (6), Electives (6)
  • Summer Y1: Writing (6), Presentation (6), Electives (6)
  • Fall Y2: Optimization (6), Electives (12)
  • Spring Y2: Business Analytics (6), Electives (12)
  • Summer Y2: Leadership Bin (6), ODI (6)
  • Fall Y3: Electives (18)

Accelerated (24 Transfer Units) 24 Units per Semester, 15 Months

  • Fall Y1: Statistical Reasoning (12), Electives (12)
  • Spring Y1: Financial Statements (6), Database (6), Business Analytics (6), Electives (6)
  • Summer Y1: Writing (6), Presentation (6), ODI (6), Leadership Bin (6)
  • Fall Y2: Optimization (6), Electives (18)

Related Programs

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Your Next Steps for Applying to the Public Management Program

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