Public Policy and Administration M.P.P.A.

Core Courses

• PPA 500 – Research Methods for Public Policy and Admin (3 cr.)
• PPA 501 – Program Evaluation and Quantitative Methods (3 cr.)
• PPA 530 – Civic Engagement (3 cr.)
• PPA 551 – Public Personnel Administration (3 cr.)
• PPA 552 – Public Budgeting and Finance (3 cr.)
• PPA 553 – Public Organization Theory (3 cr.)
• PPA 587 – Internship (3 cr.)
• PPA 660 – Theories of the Policy Process (3 cr.)
• PPA 670 – Capstone in Public Policy and Administration (3 cr.)
• International Policy and Management Specialization Electives (See list below)

International Policy and Management Specialization Electives (12 credits total)

Select 9-12 credits from the following:

• PPA 540 – International Policy Toolkit (3 cr.)
• PPA 541 – Principles & Processes of International Management (3 cr.)
• PPA 542 – Policy Accountability--Non-Democratic Regimes (3 cr.)
• PPA 544 – Ethics and Efficacy--Global Policymaking (3 cr.)

Select 0-3 credits from the following:

• POLS 533 – International Policy Toolkit (3 cr.)
• POLS 534 – International Environmental Security (3 cr.)
• POLS 535 – Emerging Threats in International Security (3 cr.)
• PPA 543 – Evidence-Based Decision Making (3 cr.)

Core Courses

• PPA 500 – Research Methods for Public Policy and Admin (3 cr.)
• PPA 501 – Program Evaluation and Quantitative Methods (3 cr.)
• PPA 530 – Civic Engagement (3 cr.)
• PPA 551 – Public Personnel Administration (3 cr.)
• PPA 552 – Public Budgeting and Finance (3 cr.)
• PPA 553 – Public Organization Theory (3 cr.)
• PPA 587 – Internship (3 cr.)
• PPA 660 – Theories of the Policy Process (3 cr.)
• PPA 670 – Capstone in Public Policy and Administration (3 cr.)

Public Management Specialization Courses

• PPA 575 – Public Administration (3 cr.)
• Public Management Specialization Electives (See list below)

Public Management Specialization Electives (9 credits total)

Select 3-9 credits from the following:

• CIVE 578 – Infrastructure And Utility Management (3 cr.)
• PPA 543 – Evidence-Based Decision Making (3 cr.)
• PPA 558/POLS 558 – Administrative Law (3 cr.)
• PPA 559 – Nonprofit Management (3 cr.)
• PPA 560 – City Management (3 cr.)
• PPA 561 – State And Local Government Finance (3 cr.)
• PPA 562 – Healthcare Finance (3 cr.)
• PPA 576 – Social Equity in Public Service (3 cr.)
• PPA 592 – Special Topics in Public Policy and Admin (3 cr.)

Select 0-6 credits from the following:

• PPA 540 – International Policy Toolkit (3 cr.)
• PPA 541 – Principles & Processes of International Mgmt (3 cr.)
• PPA 542 – Policy Accountability: Non-Democratic Regimes (3 cr.)
• PPA 544 – Ethics and Efficacy--Global Policymaking (3 cr.)

Core Courses

• PPA 500 – Research Methods for Public Policy and Admin (3 cr.)
• PPA 501 – Program Evaluation and Quantitative Methods (3 cr.)
• PPA 530 – Civic Engagement (3 cr.)
• PPA 551 – Public Personnel Administration (3 cr.)
• PPA 552 – Public Budgeting and Finance (3 cr.)
• PPA 553 – Public Organization Theory (3 cr.)
• PPA 587 – Internship (3 cr.)
• PPA 660 – Theories of the Policy Process (3 cr.)
• PPA 670 – Capstone in Public Policy and Administration (3 cr.)

Public Policy Specialization Courses

• PPA 665 / POLS 665 – Public Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
• Public Policy Specialization Electives (See list below)

Public Policy Specialization Electives (9 credits total)

Select 3-9 credits from the following:

• CIVE 578 – Infrastructure and Utility Management (3 cr.)
• LEAP 600 – Arts Policy and Advocacy (3 cr.)
• PPA 543 – Evidence-Based Decision Making (3 cr.)
• POLS 555 – Environmental Law and Policy (3 cr.)
• PPA 558/POLS 558 – Administrative Law (3 cr.)
• PPA 561 – State And Local Government Finance (3 cr.)
• PPA 576 – Social Equity in Public Service (3 cr.)
• PPA 592 – Special Topics in Public Policy and Admin (3 cr.)
• POLS 692 – Seminar in Environmental Policy (3 cr.)

Select 0-6 credits from the following:

• PPA 540 – International Policy Toolkit (3 cr.)
• PPA 541 – Principles & Processes of International Management (3 cr.)
• PPA 542 – Policy Accountability--Non-Democratic Regimes (3 cr.)
• PPA 544 – Ethics and Efficacy--Global Policymaking (3 cr.)

The Master of Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.) degree requires applicants to have the following:

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• A cumulative 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework
• No GRE is required. However, recent TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE examination results are required for international applicants.

Note that meeting the minimum department standards does not ensure admission to the program. Admission to Colorado State University graduate programs is based on several factors, including prior academic and professional experience and the personal statement.

Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online.

Two letters of recommendation

Two professional recommendations are required from individuals who can speak to your potential for success in the program. You will provide information about your recommenders in the online application. CSU will contact them with instructions and a link to a secure form they will submit on your behalf. These letters should be written by a variety of individuals (advisors, professors, employers, supervisors, or individuals in similar positions) who have known you in different capacities. Letters should address your ability to successfully pursue and complete graduate studies, not merely attest to your character. The online application will prompt your reviewers to submit the letters of recommendation, but you should contact your reviewers in advance and provide each with guidelines for preparing letters of recommendation. You should also later confirm with the individual that the letter of recommendation was submitted.

Statement of purpose

Indicate your career goals and professional interests. Be sure to describe how the M.P.P.A. program and faculty will allow you to accomplish these goals.

Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received. When choosing program of study, please indicate your specialization of choice:

Public Policy and Administration/Public Policy (M.P.P.A.) – Distance

Public Policy and Administration/International Policy and Management (M.P.P.A.) – Distance

Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.

Please Note: Students may be unconditionally admitted and registered in their first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted, prior to or during your first semester, before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School.

Electronic (preferred):
Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial.

Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.

Mail (if necessary)
Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062

View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.

Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and notify you of their decision.

Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.

Learn more about English language proficiency requirements.