Best Online Master's in Public Policy Programs for 2019

Regent University's online master of public policy and law consists of 36 credits. Available entirely online, the program includes courses in political theory, healthcare policy, and national security affairs. The curriculum focuses on the Christian foundations of government in preparation for careers as public servants, political consultants, and other related roles.

Applicants to Regent's master's in public policy online program should have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. In addition, they can submit GRE or LSAT scores along with a current resume to boost their application. Students with prior graduate education can transfer up to nine credits toward their degree.

Located in New York, Rochester Institute of Technology offers an online graduate program in professional studies that allows students to earn their degree in one of any 50 fields. Among the available choices is a 33-credit master of public policy online, which requires distance learners to complete a capstone project. Students can take courses on a full-time or part-time basis to accommodate personal schedules.

To be eligible for RIT's online public policy master's program, prospective students must provide a personal statement, a current resume, and letters of recommendation from recent professors or supervisors. Candidates must also submit undergraduate transcripts showing a GPA of 3.0 or better. RIT recommends that all students meet with a faculty adviser regarding their personalized plan of study.

Located in Charleston, Eastern Illinois University offers an online master's in political science with a concentration in public administration and public policy. Students who are seeking to enter or advance careers in areas such as public policy research, protective services, or budget analysis can earn their degree in two semesters and one summer. Alternatively, degree candidates can complete just one course each term to finish the program at their own pace.

Required courses in EIU's online master of public policy include classic political theory, American constitutional law, and political modernization. In addition to core credits and electives, distance learners must complete either a thesis or a capstone project wherein they synthesize program concepts in application to a practical issue. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree, but it does not have to be in political science.

Jacksonville University's 48-credit online master's in public policy is available in a part-time or full-time format. The curriculum consists of courses in statistics, political science, and microeconomics. Full-time students can earn their degree in two years, while part-time learners generally finish the program in three. All distance learners must fulfill a two-credit summer internship requirement after they complete their first year of core courses. All degree candidates work with a faculty adviser to produce a capstone research paper that includes policy recommendations.

JU accepts applications on a rolling basis and encourages prospective public policy graduate students to complete undergraduate or graduate coursework in economics and statistics. Admission requirements include two letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and test scores on the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT.

Offering distance learners the opportunity to either complete a general degree or personalize their studies in an area of concentration, VCU's online master of public administration requires all students to earn 36 credits. Degree candidates who lack at least one year of professional experience in the public or nonprofit sector must earn 39 credits, including a three-credit internship. Required core courses include financial management and government, public policy analysis, and public human resource management. Available electives include planned organizational change and research methods.

Prospective students interested in VCU's master's in public policy online must submit test scores on the GRE, GMAT, MAT, or LSAT as part of their application. The application deadlines for fall, spring, and summer semesters are April 1, October 1, and February 1, respectively.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha's online master's in public administration features a concentration in public policy and requires students to earn at least 39 credits. Beginning core courses cover topics such as public and nonprofit budgeting, policy design and implementation, and foundations of public service. Full-time students generally complete their degree in a little over two years by taking three courses each semester.

Degree candidates work with a faculty adviser to select from available electives, which includes courses in emergency management, aviation, and urban studies. All students must complete a capstone project, and UNO encourages those without experience in the public or nonprofit sector to complete an internship course. These internships consist of half-time positions over the course of one term.

The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth delivers a fully online master of public policy program that blends policy analysis with the application of skills in research and public management. In completing the 36 credits required to graduate, distance learners must fulfill an internship requirement and produce a final portfolio. Available concentrations include education policy, environmental policy, and public management.

Students earning their online master's in public policy take courses like environmental consequences of globalization and organizational behavior in educational settings. With access to resources such as free online tutoring, personal advising, and an online writing center, UMass distance learners benefit from flexible scheduling and personal attention. Possible jobs in public policy available to graduates include roles in nongovernmental organizations, nonprofits, and trade and labor associations.

Founded in 1946, New England College offers nearly 50 programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Full-time distance learners seeking jobs in public policy can earn NEC's online master of public policy in less than two years. With a global focus on the impact of the U.S. political system, the curriculum explores the interplay between theory and practical expertise in ethical policy leadership.

As there is no residency requirement, distance learners can complete the program entirely online. NEC offers several start dates throughout the year and does not require prospective students to submit standardized test scores. Prospective careers for graduates include leadership positions across all levels of government and nonprofit organizations.

Founded in 1971, SUNY Empire State College delivers a variety of online degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Among the school's offerings is a 36-credit online master's in social and public policy, which consists of four core classes, four electives, and four research courses. Required subjects of study include social policy perspectives, ethical issues in social policy, and policy implementation. Students must also complete a final project or an academic thesis.

SUNY Empire allows students to transfer up to nine credits from a regionally accredited college or university toward their online master's in public policy. In addition, the college allows degree candidates to add an advanced certificate to their program to enhance their employability upon graduation.