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About This Program
Enhance your innovative and critical thinking as you build skills to address today’s real-world issues with a master’s in public policy from American Public University (APU).
APU’s Master of Public Policy provides a comprehensive examination of the capacities that are essential to the public policy profession: sound research, data analysis, communication, creative and critical thinking, and action. Our online master’s in public policy is designed to further your understanding of policy at the local, state, and national levels in order to sharpen your advising and risk management capabilities.
You will prepare for the professional challenges and opportunities of this field by reviewing case studies and engaging in writing exercises.
What You Will Do
- Evaluate the multidisciplinary nature of the major theories underlying the discipline of public policy
- Extrapolate the processes by which public policies are designed, implemented, and evaluated
- Evaluate the effectiveness of existing (or the impact of proposed) public policies
- Demonstrate appropriate analytical skills to analyze contemporary policy issues
- Design public policies to solve strategic or social problems
Degree at a Glance
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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version
Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:
Environmental Policy represents one of the major policy realms that cross discipline, geography, and history. Students will study the interplay between economic and political factors and their impact on the environment, as well as review existing paradigms for environmental planning, analysis, and management. This concentration may also prepare students for study at the doctorate level in related fields.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Distinguish the key variables and theoretical frameworks for incorporating economic interests into Distinguish the key variables and theoretical frameworks for incorporating economic interests into environmental policy.
- Analyze the similarities and differences of specific environmental policies from culturally and geographically diverse areas of the world.
- Analyze the economics of a specific environmental policy.
- Critique current policies and evaluate validity of environmental policy as it relates to economic issues and drivers.
- Analyze an environmental policy’s economic impact both spatially and temporally.
- Examine the major legal, regulatory, and policy framework that encompasses environmental programs and projects in the United States.
- Analyze interconnections among environmental policy, laws, and regulations, and between them and environmental management and other disciplines in management, government, science, and engineering.
- Assess the U.S. role and level of involvement in international environmental policy.
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 2746
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2747
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4655
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3982
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Health Policy is a growing field, especially now, and our nation looks to policy experts to understand, translate, and explain massive healthcare legislation. Masters of Public Policy students who choose a concentration in Health Policy will gain the knowledge often needed to inform, direct, analyze, and report on public health issues and policy responses. Graduates will learn to craft policies, but also help the nation understand and adapt to them.
Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:
- Examine how social, behavioral, environmental, and biological factors contribute to specific individual and community health outcomes.
- Analyze the critical factors that will influence health and health care in the first decade of the 21st century.
- Compare and contrast the theories regarding health care systems.
- Evaluate health care policies and their influence on the development, operation, design and effectiveness of health care delivery systems.
- Assess the efficacy of public health programs and initiatives such as Medicare, Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP).
- Deconstruct the relationship between public health and policy responses.
- Appraise the public health issues associated with various disasters.
- Examine health care issues that confront emergency management decision makers.
- Analyze past and future approaches to disaster health management programs.
Choose 12 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 4771
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4789
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4792
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2836
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2691
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3888
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2825
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Students of public policy must understand how an idea becomes a law, but MPP students who choose a concentration in Policy and the Law will become experts in the judicial process and the enforcement and execution of our laws. This concentration explores ethics, contractual obligations, procedural due process, and new developments in security and the law.
Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:
- Interpret complex contract language.
- Examine specific cases of contract law and extrapolate the laws and precedents established.
- Extrapolate the development of Constitutional Law in the areas of judicial, legislative, and executive powers.
- Analyze the separation of powers, federalism, national and state regulation of commerce, and property rights.
- Interpret the role of the judiciary by examining landmark constitutional decisions.
- Examine the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution.
- Evaluate policies related to cybersecurity.
- Explore laws related to cybersecurity issues, including litigation, intellectual property and privacy.
Choose 12 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 3909
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2686
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3850
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4490
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3555
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Public Policy students who choose to focus on National Security Policy will be positioned to advise officials on issues of strategic importance. Combine this degree concentration with your work experience and training to further your knowledge and skills often required in the growing public and private sector industry of policy analysis and strategic planning. This is a concentration of interest to civilian and military students who seek to gain advanced understanding in national security policy, security policy analysis, and related fields.
Objectives:
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:
- Deconstruct individual actors’ roles and contributions to national security policy.
- Differentiate among conflicting and competing interests and their impact on national security policy development.
- Examine the foundations of U.S. National Security Policy
- Analyze U.S. national security policies from the end of WWII to the end of the Cold War.
- Assess the effectiveness of U.S. National Security strategies available to the United States.
- Analyze the historical practice of diplomacy by states.
- Assess the use of diplomacy by states to implement their national security strategies.
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 3475
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3474
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3492
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3493
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Cybersecurity touches almost every aspect of public policy. This concentration focuses on the issues, policies, practices, and perspectives of various sectors, critical infrastructures, agencies, and disciplines, such as national security, intelligence, criminal justice, and emergency management. Cyber threats can have an adverse effect on public confidence, stock markets, economic sectors, and other critical infrastructures. The need for trained experts in this field who can prevent, detect, and eliminate such threats is critical to our national security.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze the national cyber threat landscape and cybersecurity challenges from both external entities and domestic sources.
- Examine the legal, social, regulatory, ethical, and technical issues related to securing information systems and national critical infrastructures.
- Compare and contrast the interdisciplinary policies, practices, perspectives and products required to address the cyber threats to our information systems and critical infrastructures..
Choose 12 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 4562
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4528
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4100
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4490
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4514
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
This concentration will give the administrator the background to be able to understand the ramifications of policy and law on the future of the space industry, both in the US and globally. The implications of policy for both the public and private sector will be explored.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Examine the political and commercial significance of major national and international space missions, projects, and operations.
- Evaluate organizations that are critical to the success of the technological advance of space infrastructure in the United States.
- Assess the status of space cooperation and diplomacy between various space faring nations.
- Synthesize space laws and how the governing institutions affect applications such as remote sensing, communications, navigation, launch services, satellite exports, and arms control.
Choose 12 credit hours from this section.
Course ID: 3713
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3720
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3721
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3722
Course ID: 4834
Course ID: 3964
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 2687
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4676
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4677
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 4679
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 2709
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 | Spring 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 | Summer 2024 Session I | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Course ID: 3551
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 | Summer 2024 Session B | 8 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 | Summer 2024 Session D | 8 Week session |
Must take all courses for this section.
Course ID: 4936
Registration Dates | Course Dates | Session | Weeks |
---|---|---|---|
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 | 06/03/24 - 09/22/24 | Spring 2024 Session C | 16 Week session |
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 | 07/01/24 - 10/20/24 | Summer 2024 Session A | 16 Week session |
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 | 08/05/24 - 11/24/24 | Summer 2024 Session K | 16 Week session |
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 | 09/02/24 - 12/22/24 | Summer 2024 Session C | 16 Week session |
Admission Requirements
- All APU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA®).
- Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
- There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.
CHEA® is a registered trademark of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Materials Cost
Most courses in this program use Open Educational Resources (OER). These teaching, learning, and research materials are made available to you at no cost, meaning there are minimal book costs associated with earning this degree.
Technology fee: $85 per course
Need Help?
Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].
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1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
*Cost Per Credit Hour
The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.
See all military student benefits.
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