Graduate School Bulletin

Public Policy

Stony Brook University’s Master of Arts in Public Policy prepares students to take a wide variety of rewarding careers in the growing field of public policy. 

Graduates of the MAPP program will gain the skills and experience to achieve success working in government or in organizations affected by government – local, state, national and international.  They may find employment as policy analysts and executives in government agencies, or in private, non-profit and advocacy organizations.  They may enter the front lines of politics as elected officials or members of their staffs.  They may influence public policy as journalists or leaders of civic organizations.  Those with an international background or an interest in global affairs may enter careers abroad or in international affairs.  For those looking to continue their professional or graduate studies, the MAPP provides a rigorous academic platform.

For students entering the public policy field for the first time, the program offers training and credentials to launch their careers; for those already working in the field, the program will enhance their skills and credentials.  Graduates of the program will be joining a growing roster of alumni successfully working in public, private and non-profit organizations.  With our flourishing alumni organization, MAPP alumni will be available to assist graduates with employment and career counseling.

Course of Study

The MPP program combines rigorous instruction in key components of public policy development with detailed analysis of specific public policy issues and fieldwork.  After introducing students to the foundations of government action in philosophy, law and economics, the MAPP curriculum develops skills in political, economic, quantitative and organizational analysis, with a practical focus on solutions to complex public policy problems.  With this foundation, students take one or more courses in a specialized concentration and a related internship or research assignment.  The entire program of 31 credit hours can be completed in one calendar year by full-time students, and within two years by those attending part-time.

Joint Degree Programs

Combined MAPP/MPH

With additional coursework, students interested in pursuing a career in the increasingly important field of health policy may elect to earn a Master of Public Health degree along with their MAPP in a combined and accelerated MAPP/MPH sequence.

Combined MAPP/MBA

With additional coursework, students interested in applying public policy concepts to the world of business may elect to earn a Master of Business Administration degree along with their MAPP in a combined and accelerated MAPP/MBA sequence.

Accelerated BA/MAPP Program

Stony Brook University undergraduates currently majoring in Political Science with a GPA of 3.0 or better are eligible to enroll in the five-year Accelerated BA/MAPP program, by taking up to six graduate credits while they fulfill the upper-level undergraduate elective requirements and completing the remaining graduate requirements in the fifth year of full-time study.

The Students

Students in the MPP program come from numerous academic backgrounds including undergraduate majors in the arts and sciences, health professions, engineering and architecture.  Many students come to the program with extensive prior experience in government or the professions.  The curriculum structure and scheduling of courses is designed to accommodate candidates with a broad range of interests and experiences, and to permit those that are working to earn their degree while continuing to pursue their current career.

The Faculty

The MPP program is housed in one of the country’s leading departments of political science, ranked among the topfive in research and publications, with a faculty comprised of nationally recognized scholars and highly experienced public policy professionals.  In addition, the program draws on faculty resources from other prestigious Stony Brook programs in health policy, business administration, economics, engineering, education and journalism.