Master of Science in Public Policy and Management: Flagship Track
Your Most Flexible Public Policy Degree
This track is right for you if:
- You want to be the translator between evidence gathering and policy creation
- You want the skills to impact policy across sectors
- You see data analysis as crucial to solving the thorniest public policy challenges of our time
Key Program Information
Everything you need to know about the Master of Science in Public Policy and Management program.
Application Deadlines
- Round 1: December 1, 2026
- Round 2: January 10, 2027
- Round 3: February 1, 2027
Cost of Attendance
Please visit the Student Financial Services website.
Explore the Program
My Heinz College Story: Maggie
Maggie Harger was a Transportation Fellow for Traffic21, a U.S. Department of Transportation University Transportation Center, during her time at Heinz College.
Public Policy and Management Course Structures & Scheduling
- 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.
- Complete 192 units over two years, including a required summer internship and capstone experience.
Sample Course Schedules
As a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management student, you'll have the opportunity to dive deep into the policy areas of most interest to you. We've drafted several sample schedules to help you picture your path at Heinz. Keep in mind these are just samples - you can adjust the courses you take, and courses may not always be offered in exactly this fashion.
Fall Semester 1, Mini 1
| Course Title |
| Applied Economic Analysis |
| Statistical Reasoning |
| Policy and Government |
| Strategic Communications for Public Policy and Management |
| PPM Professional Seminar |
Fall Semester 1, Mini 2
| Course Title |
| Applied Economic Analysis |
| Statistical Reasoning |
| Policy and Government |
| Strategic Communications for Public Policy and Management |
| PPM Professional Seminar |
Spring Semester 1, Mini 3
| Course Title |
| Policy Analysis |
| Strategic Communications for Public Policy and Management |
| Optimization and Decision Modeling |
| Finance |
| Database |
Spring Semester 1, Mini 4
| Course Title |
| Policy Analysis |
| Organizational Design & Implementation |
| Optimization and Decision Modeling |
| Elective |
Fall Semester 2, Mini 1
| Course Title |
| Policy Domains Selective |
| Management Selective |
| Policy Domains Selective |
| Elective |
Fall Semester 2, Mini 2
| Course Title |
| Policy Domains Selective |
| Lab Selective |
| Elective |
| Elective |
Spring Semester 2, Mini 3
| Course Title |
| Policy Methods Selective |
| Capstone |
| AI Selective |
| Elective |
Spring Semester 2, Mini 4
| Course Title |
| Policy Methods Selective |
| Capstone |
| Elective |
| Elective |
Fall Semester 1, Mini 1
| Course Title |
| Applied Economic Analysis |
| Statistical Reasoning |
| Policy and Government |
| Strategic Communications for Public Policy and Management |
| PPM Professional Seminar |
Fall Semester 1, Mini 2
| Course Title |
| Applied Economic Analysis |
| Statistical Reasoning |
| Policy and Government |
| Strategic Communications for Public Policy and Management |
| PPM Professional Seminar |
Spring Semester 1, Mini 3
| Course Title |
| Policy Analysis |
| Optimization and Decision Modeling |
| Finance |
| Database |
Spring Semester 1, Mini 4
| Course Title |
| Policy Analysis |
| Optimization and Decision Modeling |
| Elective |
| Elective |
Fall Semester 2, Mini 1
| Course Title |
| Demystifying AI |
| Project Management |
| Organizational Design and Implementation |
| Geographic Information Systems |
Fall Semester 2, Mini 2
| Course Title |
| Smart Cities: Growth and Intelligent Transportation |
| Policy Innovation Lab |
| Leading with Equity and Inclusion |
| Geographic Information Systems |
Spring Semester 2, Mini 3
| Course Title |
| Program Evaluation |
| Capstone |
| Local and Regional Economic Development |
| Affordable Housing and Finance |
Spring Semester 2, Mini 4
| Course Title |
| Program Evaluation |
| Capstone |
| Elective |
| Elective |
Fall Semester 1, Mini 1
| Course Title |
| Applied Economic Analysis |
| Statistical Reasoning |
| Policy and Government |
| Strategic Communications for Public Policy and Management |
| PPM Professional Seminar |
Fall Semester 1, Mini 2
| Course Title |
| Applied Economic Analysis |
| Statistical Reasoning |
| Policy and Government |
| Strategic Communications for Public Policy and Management |
| PPM Professional Seminar |
Spring Semester 1, Mini 3
| Course Title |
| Policy Analysis |
| Optimization and Decision Modeling |
| Finance |
| Database |
Spring Semester 1, Mini 4
| Course Title |
| Policy Analysis |
| Optimization and Decision Modeling |
| Generative AI Lab |
| Telling Stories with Data |
Fall Semester 2, Mini 1
| Course Title |
| Systems Analysis: Environmental Policy |
| Policy Innovation Lab |
| U.S. Energy and Climate Policy |
| Organizational Design and Implementation |
Fall Semester 2, Mini 2
| Course Title |
| Systems Analysis: Environmental Policy |
| Evidence-Based Management |
| Health Policy |
| Developing as a Leader |
Spring Semester 2, Mini 3
| Course Title |
| Critical Analysis of Policy Research |
| Capstone |
| Resilient & Sustainable Communities |
| AI Engineering and Policy for Climate Mitigation and Resilience |
Spring Semester 2, Mini 4
| Course Title |
| Critical Analysis of Policy Research |
| Capstone |
| Resilient & Sustainable Communities |
| AI Engineering and Policy for Climate Mitigation and Resilience |
