Master of Public Policy
Master of Public Affairs
Master of Development Practice
Doctoral Program
Global and Executive Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Student Groups
Alumni
Directories
Faculty
Publications
Working Papers
Centers
News Center
Policy Initiatives
For Students
For Employers
Career Events
Employment Statistics
Client-based Projects
About GSPP
Events
Make a Gift
Find a Program
Find a Faculty Member
Find a Center
Masters' Programs Comparison Chart
| Master of Public Policy (MPP) | Master of Public Affairs (MPA) | Master of Development Practice (MDP) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Emphasis |
Rigorous quantitative, analytical and leadership skills. Prepares the next generation of leaders to analyze and solve the most complex and challenging public policy problems. The MPP is ranked as the #1 public policy analysis program in the nation by US News & World Report. |
Analytical, innovation and leadership skills. Prepares mid-career professionals to act as strategic and visionary leaders and to advance their careers. | Through a rigorous, interdisciplinary curriculum, graduates are able to think across traditional disciplinary and sectoral boundaries to solve global and local development challenges and find employment in a variety of sectors. |
| Program Start | August | Late May | August |
| Length | 2 years (4 semesters) | 1 year (3 terms, inclusive of summer) | 2 years (4 semesters) |
| Time Commitment | Full-time |
Summer: Full-time Fall & Spring: Part- or Full-time options |
Full-time |
| Location | On campus |
Summer: On campus Fall & Spring: On campus or Online |
On campus |
| Core Classes | 9 courses (41 units) | 8 courses (14 units) | 10 courses (30 units) |
| Electives | ≥ 5 classes | ≥ 6 classes | ≥ 5 classes |
| Client-Based Projects (Capstone) |
Year 1: Introduction to Policy Analysis – Team Project Year 2: Advanced Policy Analysis – Individual Project (6 or 9 units) |
Spring Term: Capstone Course (4 units) | Year 2: Capstone Course (6 units) |
| Internship Requirement | Yes, 10 weeks over summer | None | Yes, 10 weeks over one summer |
| Career Services |
- Assigned career advisor |
- Assigned career coach |
- Assigned career advisor |
|
Estimated Cost |
CA Residents: $31,731.50* Non-Residents: $44,884.50* |
$66,876.00** (Across two FAFSA years) |
CA Residents: $44,620.50 Non-Residents: $56,865.50 |
| Financial Support | Academic Student Employment, Fellowships and Loans | Academic Student Employment, Limited Fellowships and Loans | Academic Student Employment, Fellowships and Loans |
| When to Apply | December 1 |
Round 1: December 4 Round 2: February 1 Rolling Admissions: until April 1 (not open to international applicants) |
December 4 |
* Students in the concurrent degree programs will have additional requirements from their other department.
**Does not include housing, transportation, living expenses, books and supplies, or health insurance. All students are required to have health insurance and will be automatically enrolled in UC Berkeley’s Student Health Insurance unless you opt out. All fees subject to change.
*+ This includes only full tuition and fees per year and does not include housing transportation, living expenses, and books and supplies.
Class Profile Comparison Chart
| MPP (Class Entering 2020) | MPA (Class Entering 2020) | MDP (Class Entering 2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal Applicants |
- Have at least 3 or more years of work experience from the public, private or non-profit sectors - Dynamic and driven, representing diverse perspectives, backgrounds and life experiences - Interest in developing the tools and skills necessary to change our world for the better |
- Possess leadership or managerial experience from the public, non-profit or private sector - Demonstrated potential for a career in senior management - Have personal attributes and life experience suggesting leadership, maturity, ethical character, teamwork and goal orientation |
- Demonstrated talent, academic background, work experience, leadership experience, vision, involvement in critical issues or new areas of research (such as poverty or climate change) and/or proven entrepreneurship. - Applicants oriented towards developing managerial skills, improving public policy, and increasing interdisciplinary capacities as development practitioners. |
| Class Size | ≈ 80 | 56 | 56 (across current two cohorts) |
| Average Years of Professional Experience | 3.5 years |
11 years |
5.6 years |
| Where Students Come From |
Domestic: 88% |
Domestic: 65% |
Domestic: 25% International: 75% |