CAPPA’s public policy program is designed to attract candidates who have technical expertise but desire to advance their knowledge of the dynamics of public policy in 21st-century metropolitan regions.
Students develop the knowledge and skills needed to analyze, question, challenge, and shape urban policy. They draw on a core of economics, political science, and sociology to analyze and interpret multiple types of data in order to critically evaluate problems and provide alternative courses of action.
The Master of Public Policy (MPP, formerly MUAP) prepares students for challenging careers in the development, implementation and evaluation of policies that require both the comprehension of complex urban issues and the application of tangible solutions. The program is organized around select public policy issues that focus on the economic/community development, environmental or healthcare challenges in the urban milieu. Because urban issues are complex, the program is interdisciplinary in character, curriculum content, and faculty. It provides a stimulating and inclusive environment for intellectual curiosity, rigorous inquiry and creativity and for developing new knowledge and putting it to work in the service of environmentally and economically sustainable healthy urban communities to ultimately improve the quality of life. It is designed to attract candidates that have technical expertise but desire to advance their knowledge of the dynamics of public policy in twenty-first century metropolitan regions.
Students develop the knowledge and skills needed to analyze, question, challenge and shape urban policy. They draw on a core of economics, political science and sociology to analyze and interpret multiple types of data in order to critically evaluate problems and provide alternative courses of action.
The 39 to 42 hour curriculum is comprised of five core courses that address the social context from which public policy emanates. These courses demonstrate the role of economics, politics and society in identifying urban social issues and developing policies to address them. Four required research and analysis courses prepare the student with the requisite techniques for evaluating the need for and the effect of public policy. The courses range from introductory statistics to cost benefit analysis. The next portion of the curriculum, nine hours, depends upon the student’s interests in one of the three policy areas of Healthcare Policy, Environmental Policy or Economic and Community Development Policy. Students complete the mandatory course for the emphasis area in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs and six additional hours from within CAPPA or from a department elsewhere on the UTA campus. The student has the option to complete their degree with a three-hour professional report or a six-hour master’s thesis.
Evening classes are held on campus and are scheduled for the working professional. Each class meets once per week for three-hour sessions. We welcome part-time students who carry three or six hours per semester. Students can expect to complete the degree in approximately two years.
For more general information about the MPP for more information, contact Dr. Alejandro Rodriguez or complete the information request form.
| Course Code | Course Name | Hours |
| PAPP 5305 | Theories of Urban Society | 3 |
| PAPP 5306 | The Urban Economy | 3 |
| PAPP 5309 | Local Politics in the Intergovernmental Setting | 3 |
| PAPP 5311 | Public Policy Formation and Analysis | 3 |
| PAPP 5324 | Urban Public Finance | 3 |
Total Hours: 15
| Course Code | Course Name | Hours |
| PAPP 5302 | Foundations of Urban Research and Analysis | 3 |
| PAPP 5342 | Intermediate Data Analysis | 3 |
| PAPP 5346 | Big Data and Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PAPP 5345 | Evaluation Research | 3 |
Total Hours: 9
| Course Code | Course Name | Hours |
| PAPP 5314 |
Healthy Policy Student chooses 6 additional hours from CAPPA or any UTA graduate program (MPP Director approval required) |
3 6 |
| PAPP 5312 |
Economic Policy Student chooses 6 additional hours from CAPPA or any UTA graduate program (MPP Director approval required) |
3 6 |
| PAPP 5365 |
Environmental Policy Student chooses 6 additional hours from CAPPA or any UTA graduate program (MPP Director approval required) |
3 6 |
Total Hours: 9
| Course Code | Course Name | Hours |
| PAPP 5396 | Project Report | 3 |
Total Hours: 3
| Course Code | Course Name | Hours |
| PAPP 5698 | Thesis | 6 |
Total Hours: 6
Prospective Students Contact: James Brown at james.brown2@uta.edu or Current Students Contact: Barbara Saenz at barbarasaenz@uta.edu
