Public Policy
Drexel's Master of Public Policy (MPP) program is similar in its core curriculum to a Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, as it is designed for people who work for or who would like to work for the government or a nonprofit organization. It is innovative and distinct in at least two key respects: its focus on case study research and its distinct tracks of specialization. In addition to the core courses, the program has a focus on case study research as a unifying element of the curriculum. Students are required to choose a specific case study topic that they will work on typically for three terms during the program. By the end of the program, students will have produced a polished, in-depth analysis of a specific case that they can use to demonstrate expertise in a given policy area.
Students may craft a specialized course of study within their proscribed electives or follow one of six different tracks in economic policy, education policy, environmental policy, health policy, information policy, and nonprofit management. Courses are offered through multiple schools within Drexel University, including the Center for Public Policy in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business, and the College of Computing & Informatics. There is a wide variety of offerings to fulfill these requirements.
| Degree | Availability | Location |
|---|---|---|
|
MS |
Full-Time |
Philadelphia |
Application Requirements
On-Campus Program
Please view our academic calendar for term start dates.
| Fall (Sept) | Winter (Jan) | Spring (March) | Summer (June) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U. S. Applicants | Priority: Aug. 1 Regular: Sept. 1 |
Nov. 15 | Feb. 15 | May 15 |
| International Applicants | May 15 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
For details regarding the items below, please review the Admission Application Instructions.
How to Submit Application Materials
Drexel Admissions is currently processing application documents received through the U.S. Postal Service and courier services (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.), although there is a slight delay in processing these documents. We strongly recommend that you submit all official transcripts and supporting documentation electronically to enroll@drexel.edu. If your school is not able to send official transcripts electronically, please request that official documents be sent by mail or courier service. Please allow 3–4 weeks for transcripts and supporting documents sent by mail or courier to be processed. We appreciate your patience during this unprecedented time at Drexel and around the world. We will process all documents as soon as we receive them, but please expect some delays.Graduate Admission Application
Applicants may only apply to one program. All documents submitted by you or on your behalf in support of this application for admission to Drexel University become the property of the University, and will under no circumstances be released to you or any other party. Please note, an application fee of $65 U.S. is required.
Transcripts
Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all of the colleges and universities that you have attended. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended.
Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.
If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.
Precise, word-for-word English translations of all non-English language documents are required along with official documents in the original language. All translations must be completed by the issuing institution or an ATA-certified translator. Visit the American Translators Association website to search for an ATA-certified translator.
International students: If you have already graduated from your previous institution at the time of your application, please email your graduation certificate(s) attached as PDF or Microsoft Word documents to enroll@drexel.edu. Note: Any international applicant, regardless of program, may be required to provide a transcript evaluation should the Admissions Committee determine it is needed for the application to be reviewed. If your transcripts are selected for a course-by-course evaluation by an external agency, you will be responsible for supplying all necessary documentation and paying all necessary fees to have your transcripts evaluated.
If you have questions regarding what documents you must submit to fulfill the transcript requirements, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Test of English as a Foreign Language
International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL minimum scores: 100/600/250), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS minimum Overall Band Score: 7.0), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE minimum score: 68) unless they meet the criteria for a waiver.
Essay
During their entire time in Drexel's public policy program, students are engaged in a single research project — a "case study" — on a specific policy-related program or organization of their choosing. Though students are not expected to have chosen a specific case study prior to their entry in the program, it helps to have some thoughts about the general policy areas and issues in which they are interested. Please provide approximately 300 to 500 words to discuss potential policy areas or issues you might like to explore for your case study project. In addition, please discuss how your background, experience, interests, and/or values, when combined with a Drexel degree, will enable you to pursue your professional/personal goals successfully.
Submit your essay with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
Résumé
Upload your résumé as part of your admission application or through the Discover Drexel Portal after you submit your application.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. To electronically request recommendations, you must list your recommenders and their contact information on your application. We advise that you follow up with your recommenders to ensure they received your recommendation request — they may need to check their junk mail folder. Additionally, it is your responsibility to confirm that your recommenders will submit letters by your application deadline and follow up with recommenders who have not completed their recommendations.
Request recommendations with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.
Alternatively, you may submit your recommendation letters by mail. Letters must include the address, phone number, and signature of the recommender. The recommendation envelope must be submitted unopened to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Mailing Addresses
By Postal Mail
Drexel University
Application Processing
PO Box 34789
Philadelphia, PA 19101-4789
By Express Courier
(DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.)
Drexel University
Application Processing
3141 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2876