Master of Science in Public Policy and Management
Key Program Information
Program Length
Two years // four semesters
With work experience: three semesters
Application Deadlines
- Round 1: December 1, 2026
- Round 2: January 10, 2027
- Round 3: February 1, 2027
Cost of Attendance
Please visit the CMU Student Financial Services website
Unlock Your Policy Leadership Potential
Give yourself the tools to solve the toughest problems facing society with a degree that combines policy analysis with evidence-based decision making. This is a degree for life: you won't be pigeonholed into a specialty. You will possess the data analysis skills to make an impact in whatever sector you choose with a core skillset that makes you stand out across industries. As your career evolves, your Heinz education will allow you to evolve with it.
This program might be right for you if:
- You want to be a policy analyst, program manager, consultant, legislative aide, or nonprofit leader.
- You want to solve complex challenges in government, health care, education, sustainability, or economic development.
- You value hands-on learning.
- You're seeking a degree that prepares you to lead across sectors, not just within one industry.
- You want to build leadership, management, and communication skills alongside policy expertise.
Explore Public Policy and Management
Curriculum
Our curriculum layers policy instruction atop a strong analytical foundation.
Career Outcomes
Our graduates work for government agencies, nonprofits, and private firms.
Experiences Beyond the Classroom
Your learning journey goes beyond the classroom at Heinz College. Discover how you'll learn by doing.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Through financial aid, scholarships, and partnerships, we are committed to reducing your cost of attendance.
It's not just a data-focused school. It's not just a policy-focused school. It's both. That was an interdisciplinary environment that I wanted to be in. In many ways, it felt like it was an ecosystem of opportunities that matched my goals.
Cierra Oliveira
MSPPM-DA '27
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Scholarships & Financial Aid
Heinz College is committed to ensuring that tomorrow's policy leaders are able to secure the education they need to be successful. Nearly 95% of our public policy students receive a scholarship, and we offer many fellowships and student employment opportunities. We encourage you to explore these resources and contact our Office of Admissions for more information.
Learning Paths to Fit Your Goals
As a Public Policy and Management student, you'll choose between four different degree tracks to best fit your career and learning goals:
Flagship is our original, 2-year degree delivered entirely in Pittsburgh. Flagship is an ideal choice for the policy generalist, characterized by its solid core of classes and accessibility of electives.
Data Analytics (DA) is 2 years and delivered entirely in Pittsburgh. DA is ideal for data-driven policymakers, adding powerful statistics and analytics onto the policy core.
Washington, DC (DC) students spend their first year in Pittsburgh, and then their second year learning and working in a full-time fellowship in Washington, DC. DC is ideal for those working toward a career in DC or within the Federal government.
Fast Track is an accelerated 1 year option delivered in Pittsburgh. Tailored for those with work experience, Fast Track delivers a strong policy core on an accelerated timeline.
Learn by Doing
At Heinz College, you will receive practical experience to complement your coursework through our Capstone projects, during which you'll solve a problem for real-life client. You will use your policy analysis and data analytics skills to improve social equity and data governance, contribute to the public service sector, and prepare for a career in public policy.
How Can a Master's Degree in Public Policy and Management Help You?
Public Policy and Management Resources
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Connect With a Current Student
Reach out to one of our students to learn more about life at Heinz College.
See Yourself at Heinz College
