Public Policy, MPP

Program overview

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is a degree program designed to prepare students for policy-related careers in government, think tanks, interest groups, not-for-profit organizations, and the private sector. This program aspires to produce graduates who are literate in the field of public policy and possess the skills to be effective policy analysts and creative problem solvers.

Why study Public Policy?

Informed by the art and science of public problem-solving, the graduate programs in the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs empower students to advance the public good through innovative teaching, high-quality research, and community engagement. With prestigious research centers like the Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy and Center for National Security & Foreign Affairs, Baker students are provided with unique opportunities to dive headfirst into research that helps provide critical insight on domestic and international policy.

What can you do with a masters in public policy after graduation?

A Master of Public Policy (MPP) prepares professionals to analyze, design, and implement policies across government, nonprofit, and private sectors. Graduates often work as policy analysts, consultants, legislative staff, or program managers, addressing complex issues like healthcare, education, and environmental policy through research, data analysis, and advocacy.

Featured Courses

HBS 501 – Perspectives on the Policy Process

Commonly applied theoretical approaches to the study of the policy process, with a focus on how different theoretical perspectives generate variable understandings of policy problems and solutions.

HBS 522 – Economics of the Public Sector

Resource allocation and market performance; market failure including externalities and public goods; equity, efficiency and welfare economics; income redistribution; regulation; public expenditures; political economy; taxation and tax policy; intergovernmental finance.

HBS 541 – Environmental Policy

Overview of contemporary environmental policy and its evolution. Examines the roles of values in the environmental arena. Provides a framework for policy analysis and analytical tools for selection and choosing among policy options.

HBS 552 – U.S. National Security

Overview of national and international security issues and corresponding U.S. national security policies and strategies. Focus on grand strategy, civil-military relations, conflict management, military interventions, conventional and non-conventional warfare, termination of conflict, and peacekeeping.

Admissions and Aid

Admissions Standards and Procedures

Applicants for admission to the program must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
An overall GPA of 3.00 for undergraduate courses is desirable.
Students must submit a personal statement and a resume/CV.
3 letters of recommendations.
Submit the online application to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

The program seeks to admit a diverse group of students with strong ability and career potential who are committed to public service. Applicants who do not have a degree from an accredited U.S. institution must supply a GRE score. A composite score of 302 on the verbal and quantitative parts of the GRE is desired but not required.

Admission Deadlines

Fall Semester Priority Application Deadline for funding: February 15
Fall Semester Admission Application Deadline: July 15
Spring Semester Priority Application Deadline for funding: November 15
Spring Semester Admission Application Deadline: December 1
Summer semester Admission Application Deadline: May 15

Required Courses (21 Hours)

Applicants for admission to the program must complete the required prerequisites and pre-major core courses with a 2.5 GPA or higher.

HBS 501 Perspectives on the Policy Process

Commonly applied theoretical approaches to the study of the policy process, with a focus on how different theoretical perspectives generate variable understandings of policy problems and solutions.

IAC 501 Ethical Leadership in Public Affairs

Approaches to common ethical challenges in public affairs and the mechanisms required to ensure accountability, transparency, and responsibility.

HBS 512 Research Design and Data Acquisition

Methods for planning and executing research from experiments to case studies. Development of research questions and hypothesis, measurement issues, and validity of inferences. Basic assumptions and techniques of research in public policy including measurement, analysis, acquiring, and reporting data.

HBS 513 Data Driven Decisions

Methods and analytic tools used to translate data into models and forecasts to support public decision making. Emphasis on econometric and simulation approaches including linear regression and maximum likelihood methods.

HBS 514 Policy Communication and Data Visualization

Approaches to communicating complex scientific and policy information to varied audiences, media training, as well as data visualization strategies and techniques.

HBS 521 Policies and Markets

Strategies and techniques for identification and analysis of public problems, policy solutions, and determining the effectiveness of existing policies. Emphasis on micro and macroeconomic approaches, including supply and demand responses to policies.

HBS 522 Economics of the Public Sector

Concentrations

A 9-credit (3 courses) concentration is required to complete the MPP degree.

* – Indicates that other courses not listed below for the specialization may be accepted upon approval by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Agricultural and Environmental Policy*

Students explore agriculture, environmental sustainability, and policy development to gain a comprehensive understanding of the policy frameworks that shape sustainable practices in the agricultural and environmental sectors. Through case studies and policy analysis, students acquire the skills needed to navigate the complexities of policymaking related to environmentally responsible agricultural policies.

HBS 503 Administrative Law and Regulatory Policymaking: Legal foundations of the administrative state. Agency implementation of legislation through rulemaking, enforcement, and adjudication. Legislative oversight, executive control, and judicial review of agency actions.

AREC 530 Agricultural Policy: Evaluation of public policy as related to agricultural industry and rural areas.

HBS 541 Environmental Policy: Overview of contemporary environmental policy and its evolution. Examines the roles of values in the environmental arena. Provides a framework for policy analysis and analytical tools for selection and choosing among policy options.

To earn optional Agricultural and Environmental Policy Certificate, select one course below.

HBS 545 Sustainable Development: Creation and implementation of sustainable development approaches and strategies for local communities.

LAW 866 Environmental Law: Study, through methods of public policy analysis, of responses of legal system to environmental problems: environmental regulation and its alternatives; Clean Air Act; Clean Water Act; National Environmental Policy Act; Endangered Species Act; Superfund; and selected regulatory issues.

Economic and Community Development*

A partnership with the Department of Economics, the Economic and Community Development concentration provides students with the tools to evaluate decisions by local, state, and federal governments in managing economic growth and in providing goods and services for the public interest. Students are well-equipped to work at the intersection of public policy and private industry, helping make public policy more effective and individuals and private entities more successful.

HBS 523 Regional Economics (with UTIA/AREC): Sources of regional economic growth and development and the spatial distribution of people (including migration) and business. Effects of policy on regional economic activity, urban/rural land use and the role of public infrastructure. Regional spillovers and policy coordination. Prerequisite HBS 521 or equivalent.

HBS 544 Planning and Land Use: Regional planning within a legal, regulatory, social and political context. Environmental and sustainable development. Role for public, private and non-profit entities in affecting regional performance. Project evaluation, economic impact analysis, economic development incentives, including tax-increment financing and development impact fees and taxes. Community engagement. Land use regulation and zoning.

To earn optional International Economic and Community Development Certificate, select one course:

IAC 502 The Art of the Possible: Conflict, communication, consensus building, and compromise in public policymaking. Emphasis on case studies.

Students may may want to complete the Tennessee Certified Economic Developer program with the Institute for Public Service.

Energy Policy*

Energy Policy Concentration students are prepared to evaluate the strategies and tradeoffs in energy policy decisions and to understand their impacts. Students are grounded in Baker core coursework on government, economics, and public policy, while the concentration combines the technologies, markets, economics, and real-world considerations of energy policy decisions. Students are prepared to assess how energy policies will impact the environment, energy reliability, energy costs, and various stakeholders in the policy process.

HBS 524 Energy Markets and Economics: Theoretical and empirical perspectives on individual and industrial demand for energy, energy supply, energy markets, and public policies affecting energy markets.

HBS 542 Energy Policy: Analysis of current policy problems involving production, distribution, consumption, and conservation energy.

To earn optional Energy Policy Certificate, select one course:

HBS 543 Energy Transitions: Energy technology and policy solutions for a growing population, increasingly industrialized world, expanding quality of life, limits of fossil fuel energy sources, and the increasing realization that renewable energy must be integrated into an energy system built around fossil fuels.

HBS 545 Sustainable Development: Creation and implementation of sustainable development approaches and strategies for local communities.

LAW 990 Special Topics: Energy, Regulation, and Sustainability

Health Policy*

Students in the Health Policy concentration learn about the key issues, institutions, and actors in America’s healthcare system and provides a toolkit for evaluating the system’s performance, efficiency, and equity. This concentration prepares students to work in health policy within the public sector, for nonprofits seeking to affect health policy, or for healthcare companies in the private sector. This concentration is a collaboration with the Haslam College of Business and the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.

PUBH 520 Health Systems, Policy, and Leadership: Exploration of public health and healthcare systems, health policy formulation, and associated implications for management and leadership.

NURS 612 Health and Health Care Policy: Interdisciplinary examination of contemporary health, health problems and policy responses; public policy decision-making processes; and multi-stakeholder perspectives, roles, influence, and interactions.

To earn optional Health Policy Certificate:

LAW 963 Health Law Finance and Organization: Course gives students an understanding of the organization and financing of health care entities and services within the U.S. The major issues explored are (1) the structure of the health care system, including professional relationships, governance issues, and organizational models, (2) the financing of medical care through private insurance and public program, and (3) access to care in the U.S.

National Security*

A partnership with the Departments of Political Science and Philosophy, the National Security concentration focuses on policy decisions surrounding U.S. national security and foreign policy. Students examine the role of the United States in the world through various lenses and can evaluate the impact of national security policy decisions and strategies on domestic priorities and global affairs.

HBS 551 Foundations of U.S. Foreign Policy: Survey of foreign policy process and decision making, diplomacy, international crisis management, foreign economic policy, and public opinion about foreign affairs. Overview of great power politics and intersection of domestic and international politics. Emphasis on U.S. foreign policy since 1945.

HBS 552 U.S. National Security: Overview of national and international security issues and corresponding U.S. national security policies and strategies. Focus on grand strategy, civil-military relations, conflict management, military interventions, conventional and non-conventional warfare, termination of conflict, and peacekeeping.

To earn optional National Security Certificate:

HBS 553 Grey Zone Warfare and Cybersecurity: Explores use of disruptive technologies from the digital realm used by governments, militaries, and non-state actors as non-conventional threats. Includes disinformation and propaganda campaigns, use of artificial intelligence, gray zone tactics, cyber warfare, and artificial intelligence, and autonomous technologies impacting national security and military strategy.

Nuclear Security*

The Nuclear Policy course specialization is designed to equip students with the knowledge necessary to address the unique challenges associated with the security and management of nuclear weapons, materials, and facilities. Students are engaged in topics such as U.S. nuclear security policies, deterrence strategy, nuclear proliferation, arms control, export control, safeguards, and potential threats.

HBS 554 Nuclear Security in an Age of Emerging Technologies: Nuclear proliferation, nuclear capabilities, nuclear deterrence strategy, treaties and international organizations managing nuclear weapons, threats of non-state actors acquiring nuclear and radiological material, and best practices for safeguarding and securing nuclear material.

To earn optional Nuclear Security Certificate, select a course

NE 530 Nuclear Security Science and Analysis: Understanding nuclear threats and the evolution of nuclear threats to present day. Issues and strategies in detecting nuclear threats. Issues and approaches for nuclear security concerns, both state-level and asymmetric concerns. Exercises in applied nuclear security scenarios.

LAW 990 Nuclear Law

Public Management*

This course specialization is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in managing public resources and agencies and creating public values in a complex governance system. Students explore topics such as public finance and budgeting, public human resource management, public management, and nonprofit management.

HBS 531 Public Management: Interpersonal and leadership skills, techniques and methods for planning, decision making, and implementation of management strategies in the public sector.

HBS 532 Public Financial Administration: Principles and techniques of public finance at state and local levels: budget preparation, execution and audit, risk management, capital planning, major tax structures, economic forecasting, cash management, and debt administration.

To earn optional Public Management Certificate:

HBS 533 Human Resource Management in Public Organization: Contemporary issues, challenges, methods, and strategies related to effective management of human resources in the public sector.

Students may want to complete the Tennessee Certified Public Manager or Certified Municipal Finance Officer or Certified County Finance Officer program with the Institute for Public Service.

Internship

A 3-credit hour internship (HBS 591) is required for all students who lack significant applied policy experience. Students with a year or more of continuous professional experience who are currently employed in policy-related positions may have the requirement waived. Students willing to waive the internship requirement should send a request to bakerstudents@utk.edu. Students who waive the internship will take an additional elective to obtain the 36 required credits.

HBS 591 Internship: 3 Credit Hours | Approved internships and other professional opportunities. Open to students participating in approved internship programs.

Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.

Master Class

A 3-credit hour course (HBS 584) Master Class in Public Policy is required for all students. All non-executive MPP candidates are required to take this course, preferably during the last semester in the program. The Master Class serves in lieu of a comprehensive exam for the MPP degree.

HBS 586 Master Class in Public Policy: 3 Credit Hours | An immersive and experiential capstone learning experience that provides an opportunity to learn from and be mentored by experts in public policy.

Prerequisite: students must have completed at least 25 graduate hours at the Baker School. Registration Permission: consent from Director of Graduate Studies.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for graduation, students must have at least a 3.00 grade point average in all courses attempted for graduate credit. Students who do not maintain a 3.00 grade point average are subject to denial of enrollment privileges. Student files are evaluated each semester to determine eligibility for continued enrollment.