1,349 Public Policy Degree Programs

American University's online Master of Public Administration and Policy (MPAP) program combines our School of Public Affairs' top-ranked, nationally recognized and NASPAA-accredited MPA and MPP degree programs into one foundational, highly marketable credential.

Drive positive change with inclusive and ethical policy. Shape the future through public policy. This program prepares you for a meaningful career in government, international organizations, NGOs, or the private sector, addressing a wide range of policy issues.

The mission of the nationally-ranked Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the AU School of Public Affairs is to prepare students to lead with distinction in programs that serve the public good, both in the U.S. and abroad. Accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), our program delves into the prime components of leadership in public and nonprofit organizations, the realm of public policy, and the analysis of issues critical to public administration today.

The MSc Social and Public Policy focuses on understanding the causes of, and potential solutions to, a range of important social issues. These include challenges such as poverty, increasing economic and social inequalities, and international development agreements. This is an ideal course if you want to develop your capacity to analyse social and public policies nationally and internationally. It will enable you to deepen your understanding of the major aspects of social and public policy, including competing conceptions of citizenship and how these inform social policy and the use of theories and research evidence to analyse, evaluate and explain social and public policy change.

The Master's in Public Policy and Management is designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge of public governance, policy analysis, and strategic management within the public sector. The program emphasises an interdisciplinary approach, combining political science, economics, law, and administration to prepare future leaders capable of shaping effective and ethical public policies.

The Bachelor of Science in Justice and Public Policy program will help you understand how administrative law, along with procedural and substantive criminal laws, applies to effecting arrest, search and seizure, evidence collection, and courtroom procedures.

This program will provide you with knowledge of the policy-making process and cultivate your analytical skills. The program offers expertise in social policy, health policy, educational policy, employment policy and others. We pay special attention to qualitative and quantitative policy research methodology. You will be able to perform analytical, conceptual, organisational, interactive and managing tasks in creating and implementing public and social policies within the international context.

The Public and Social Policy (PSP) doctoral study program prepares students for basic and applied research and teaching in academia as well as other types of activities requiring a high level of theoretical and methodological education in PSP. This program is open to all master's degree graduates or equivalent.

BA in Social Policy and Sociology Social Policy students learn how to tackle major policy problems. They do this by applying core concepts from social science to intractable social problems such as gender inequality, eldercare, children's rights, and climate change. As an applied and critical social science, you will gain knowledge and understanding of contemporary government policies and consider how we can achieve improvements.

Today's environmental challenges require professionals who understand the scientific foundations of problems and can navigate the policy-making process. Our program immerses students in both worlds and teaches you how to facilitate the solutions. The MS in Environmental Science and Policy is an integrated curriculum of science, policy and law, communication skills, and professional advocacy that will make you an effective agent of change in the public, private, or non-profit sectors.

Designed for professionals in public administration, technology, and policy sectors, the Master’s Programme offers a deep dive into technological innovation, public policy design, and their impact on social sustainability. Engage with global experts, work on real-world projects, and enhance your career prospects. Discover more and apply today!

Public policy theories are paired with engineering, science, and technology to prepare graduates to make significant contributions to the formation of effective policy in areas that include the environment, transportation, science, and emerging technological and scientific developments.

The Public Policy MA is a multi-disciplinary course that covers policy making and analysis, comparative public policy, public sector economics, governance and public management, and ethics and public policy. You will focus on the critical issues and key developments relating to public policy, such as governance, globalisation and policy evaluation.

Successfully managing public policy can be challenging, particularly in today’s fast-paced environment. Our Public Policy and Management MA integrates policy with practical management skills. This programme prepares you to communicate and design public policy flexibly and sustainably, addressing the global challenges and needs of the 21st century

The Master’s in Public Policy provides a multidisciplinary education that integrates political science, law, economics, and philosophy, equipping students with the essential skills to understand and contribute effectively to decision-making processes across various contexts and governance levels—as well as to respond to pressing societal challenges and the impact of emerging technologies.

The Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) Area of Emphasis: Law, Public Policy and Society is a degree program designed to prepare students for further study of law. The coursework required to earn this degree has been identified as preparation for law school upon completion of a bachelor’s degree.

The Public Policy doctoral program is an interdisciplinary program focused on the study of policy development, implementation, and evaluation. It stresses the development of skills, tools, and specialties, as well as a theoretical understanding of them, that contribute to our understanding of the structure of institutional systems and sub-systems, and of how policy should be shaped within social, economic, and political environments.

This degree programme Economics and Public Policy (LMEPP) is a master-level program in the economics and econometrics of public policy.