Graduate programs

We prepare our graduate students to find collaborative, creative solutions to complex challenges in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.

Master's admissions

Leaders grounded in service

We are America’s first graduate public service training program and among its most prominent—respected for the excellence of our faculty, our grounding in social science research and quantitative analysis, the real-world policy issues woven throughout our curriculum, and the careers of leadership and impact forged by our alumni.

Our curriculum is rigorous, relevant, interdisciplinary, and hands-on. We train students with a broad range of interests for a wide variety of jobs, providing a toolbox of research, analytical, and management skills that are highly transferable across sectors and issue areas.

For prospective students, email the admissions team at [email protected]. The fall 2026 application for our Master of Public Policy and residential Master of Public Affairs is still open – apply via our website by August 1, 2026

Quick facts

	MPP	MPA	Online MPA	Dual Degree	Joint PhD
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Degree	Two-year Master of Public Policy degree for a professional career in the public, private, and non-profit sectors	9-month, mid-career Master of Public Affairs degree for experienced professionals with at least five years of policy-relevant work experience	Transform your leadership and drive change with the Ford School's Online MPA – a flexible, accessible, and hands-on degree for busy, working professionals	Dual-master's degree with other U-M schools and departments including law, business, education, and others	A PhD program that combines public policy studies with disciplinary work in economics, political science, or sociology
Core credits	24.5	16.5	24	Varies	Varies
Elective credits	23.5	13.5	6	Varies	Varies
Total credits	48	30	30	Varies	Varies
Applied learning requirement	Required internship, between 1st and 2nd years	N/A	N/A	Required internship, summer following the first year of MPP coursework	N/A
Number of students matriculated	110	Varies, up to 25	N/A – new program	Varies, but often up to 30% of the MPP cohort	6
	Learn more Download MPP brochure	Learn more	Learn more	Learn more Download MPP brochure	Learn more Download PhD brochure