Public Policy

University of California, Berkeley

About the Program

The Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) offers three graduate degrees in public policy, the Master of Public Policy (MPP), the Master of Public Affairs (MPA), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Master in Public Policy (MPP)

The MPP degree is earned in a two year, full-time program consisting of a core curriculum, a policy internship in the summer after completion of the first year, a second-year policy analysis project, and elective courses chosen from those available on the campus and at GSPP. The program emphasizes practical and applied dimensions of policy-making and implementation, encouraging students to develop skills in:

  • Defining policy issues to make them more intelligible to officials in the public, private or non-profit sector
  • Providing a broader perspective for assessing policy alternatives
  • Examining techniques for developing policy options and evaluating their social consequences
  • Developing strategies for the successful implementation of public policies once they have been adopted

Given the relatively small class size, the school's approach to teaching emphasizes teamwork, cooperation, and interaction among students and with the faculty. Students work, either as individuals or in small groups, on real policy problems for real clients under close faculty supervision.

Concurrent Degrees

The Master in Public Policy may be earned in combination with an advanced degree from a number of Berkeley schools under a coordinated program. Applicants must be accepted to both programs to pursue a concurrent degree.

Master of Public Affairs (MPA)

The Berkeley Master of Public Affairs (MPA) is a flexible one-year degree program for domestic and international mid-career professionals with an average of seven years or more work experience and who have led or managed teams. Emphasizing innovation and leadership skills, the MPA curriculum prepares mid-career executives and professionals to act as strategic and visionary leaders and advance their careers.

Please visit the school website for more information about the MPA.

PhD in Public Policy

GSPP offers a doctoral degree program for students who seek careers in academia and/or with governments, non-profits, or research institutes. Usually, only two or three PhD applicants are admitted each year. The program emphasizes the generation of knowledge, theories, methodologies, and applications appropriate to the advancement of public policy analysis and management. Doctoral students pursue highly individualized programs of study and typically work closely with Goldman faculty members who share the student’s subject matter of interest. The doctoral program provides enormous flexibility in the topics addressed and the program of study but is directed mainly at training academic social science researchers with an interest in policy issues.

A thorough preparation in or aptitude for rigorous policy analysis skills is a prerequisite for the doctorate. Because there is no core program of study, the PhD committee prefers applicants to have completed an MPP or equivalent, or some other indication of sustained interest in (and aptitude for) public policy.  Visit the "Applying for the PhD" page for more information and specific application procedures.

Visit School Website

Admissions

Admission to the University

Applying for Graduate Admission

Thank you for considering UC Berkeley for graduate study! UC Berkeley offers more than 120 graduate programs representing the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary scholarship. A complete list of graduate academic departments, degrees offered, and application deadlines can be found on the Graduate Division website.

Prospective students must submit an online application to be considered for admission, in addition to any supplemental materials specific to the program for which they are applying. The online application can be found on the Graduate Division website.

Admission Requirements

The minimum graduate admission requirements are:

  1. A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;

  2. A satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale; and

  3. Enough undergraduate training to do graduate work in your chosen field.

For a list of requirements to complete your graduate application, please see the Graduate Division’s Admissions Requirements page. It is also important to check with the program or department of interest, as they may have additional requirements specific to their program of study and degree. Department contact information can be found here.

Where to apply?

Visit the Berkeley Graduate Division application page.

Admission to the Program

Key Elements for MPP Admission

Note: For some admissions requirements, GSPP maintains more stringent requirements than the Graduate Division. Please see gspp.berkeley.edu for more information or email your general questions to mppadm@berkeley.edu.

  1. A Commitment to Public Policy: GSPP’s goal is to admit those applicants who can get the most from the GSPP master’s program and who will use what they learn to be active participants in the formulation, adoption, and implementation of better public policy. One of the applicant’s goals should be to convince the admissions committee of this commitment. This can be reflected in the quality of work experience, the statement of purpose or personal history statement.
  2. Education: Students at GSPP represent a wide range of academic backgrounds. Most students have degrees in social sciences, with a smaller number having undergraduate majors in humanities, biological or physical sciences, mathematics or engineering. Some students already have advanced degrees. GSPP does not require prior quantitative training; however prior course work in introductory statistics or first-year calculus, and introductory microeconomics, is strongly recommended.
  3. Writing and Analytical Skills: How students approach problems and the ability to write clearly and coherently is instrumental in public policy analysis. The committee will pay close attention to the applicant’s statement of purpose and GRE analytical writing score.
  4. Standardized Tests: For the Fall 2023 application cycle, applicants were required to submit official GRE scores OR a quantitative resume, however the GRE requirement for the Fall 2023 application has not yet been determined. Please visit Applying for the MPP for the most up-to-date information regarding the GRE after July 1st. The LSAT and GMAT cannot be substituted for the GRE. Test scores must be less than five years old. ETS will not report scores older than five years. To assist you in preparing to take the GRE, free GRE Preparation Tests are now available online
    All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For Fall 2024, TOEFL and IELTS tests taken before June 1, 2022,  will not be accepted even if your score was reported to Berkeley previously. To send an official score report, the institution code for Berkeley is 4833 (Graduate Programs). NOTE: The Graduate Division includes a third exemption for those who have completed at least one year of full-time academic coursework with a grade B or better at a regionally accredited institution within the United States. GSPP does not accommodate this exemption.
  5. Three Letters of Recommendation: The most helpful letters of recommendation are from persons who have supervised the applicant’s work in either an academic, employment or community service capacity, and who can evaluate the applicant’s intellectual ability, creativity, initiative, leadership potential, and promise in the field of public policy analysis and management. 
  6. Background and Life Experiences: GSPP recognizes that a student population that reflects the most diverse state in the country is key to the continued study of current, relevant social issues and policy problems. We are looking for people who are dynamic and driven, representing diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and life experiences, particularly those who wish to develop the tools and skills necessary to change our world for the better. 
  7. The Value of Work Experience: Although GSPP does not require work experience for admission, typically each entering student has had at least three to four years of relevant work experience. GSPP believes work experience adds tremendous value to class discussions and helps students to develop a context for problem-solving and policy analysis.
Documents required for the MPP application:
  1. Online Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships
  2. Resume (submitted with online application): Please upload a current resume, reflecting your work experience, education, and any other relevant information.
  3. Statement of Purpose (submitted with online application): Please follow the instructions below for the statement of purpose instead of what is directed on the online application: The Goldman School of Public Policy welcomes applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds and with a variety of career aspirations. Some of our students have had prior experience in the realm of public policy; others have not. It is helpful to us to know more about your background, your motivation, and your long-term goals than can be inferred from your records and references. We would appreciate your helping us by supplying a brief statement of 3-5 pages, double-spaced.
    Please address some of these areas:
    1. The present: Why do you want to take an educational program in the analysis and management of public policy?
    2. The past: What experiences or activities bear on your qualifications for this program, e.g., research papers, study groups, job responsibilities, policy or political projects? How do these experiences relate to your decision to undertake the study of public policy analysis and management? If you have been out of school for a year or more, please indicate the positions you have held and your major activities.
    3. The future: What kinds of work and activity would you like to engage in following graduation, and what are your long-range career objectives?
    4. Please supply whatever information you think may help us to understand your candidacy more fully.
  4. Personal History Statement (submitted with online application): Please describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. In this section, you may also include any relevant information on the following:
    How you have overcome barriers to access in higher education, evidence of how you have come to understand the barriers faced by others, evidence of your academic service to advance equitable access to higher education for women, racial minorities, and individuals from other groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education, evidence of your research focusing on underserved populations or related issues of inequality, or evidence of your leadership among such groups.
    Although there may be some overlap, please note that the Personal History Statement should not duplicate the Policy Statement of Purpose. The Personal History Statement should focus on your personal history/journey, where as your Policy Statement of Purpose should focus on your academic and professional experience.
    There is no page length requirement, however, this essay is generally 1-2 pages, double-spaced.
  5. College Transcripts (submitted with online application): Please upload unofficial transcripts from all universities or colleges attended. Transcripts should list the name of your undergraduate institution and degree conferral date. International students should also submit any applicable degree certificates or diplomas. Official transcripts of all college-level work will be required if admitted. 
  6. Three Letters of Recommendation (submitted with online application): Please follow the instructions on the online application for the online letter of recommendation submission process. Three letters are required but we will accept a maximum of four letters.
  7. GRE Scores: For the Fall 2022 application cycle, applicants were required to submit official GRE scores OR a quantitative resume, however the GRE requirement for the Fall 2023 application has not yet been determined. Please visit Applying for the MPP for the most up-to-date information regarding the GRE after July 1st. The LSAT and GMAT cannot be substituted for the GRE. Test scores must be less than five years old. ETS will not report scores older than five years. UC Berkeley's institution code is 4833 (Graduate Programs). Reservations for the GRE exam should be made in advance through the GRE's website, or the following:
    The Education Testing Service (ETS)
    P.O. Box 6000
    Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
    Phone: (609) 771-7670 or 1-800-GRE-CALL
  8. TOEFL or IELTS Scores (for all applicants from countries in which the official language is not English):  For further information regarding the TOEFL, please see the TOEFL website. Use institution code 4833 (Graduate Programs). You may sign up for the TOEFL through an agent in your country or through:
    TOEFL, CN6151
    Princeton, NJ 08541-6151
    Phone: (609) 771-7500

    As an exception, UC Berkeley will also accept the IELTS exam. Official IELTS score reports must be sent electronically from the testing center, no institution code is required. Our address for identification purposes is: University of California, Berkeley, Graduate Division, Sproul Hall Rm 318, MC 5900, Berkeley, CA 94720. Please do not mail any score reports to the campus.

    For Fall 2024, TOEFL and IELTS scores taken before June 1, 2022, will not be accepted.
  9. Application Fee (submitted with online application): An application fee, payable to UC Regents, must be submitted when you apply.
  10. Fee Waiver: Eligible applicants may apply for an application fee waiver. To do so, you must be a U.S. citizen or current permanent resident.
  11. Addendum: Please complete this section if you wish to address any specific issues that have adversely impacted your academic performance and/or any aspect of your application.

Key Elements for PhD Admission

The PhD Program at the Goldman School is a small and individualized program in which we do our best to match the interests of prospective students with our faculty. A thorough preparation in policy analysis skills is a prerequisite for the doctorate. Because there is no core program of study, the PhD committee prefers applicants to have completed an MPP degree or equivalent, either from the Goldman School or a similar institution. Applicants with a master's degree in some other field usually must complete the MPP program at GSPP before applying for admission to the doctoral program. Applicants may be partially exempt from this requirement, but may be asked to take certain first-year level master's courses at the Goldman School not offered in such programs.

Before starting the online application:

  1. Review the application checklist and instructions below. These instructions are specific to applicants to the Goldman School Ph.D. Program.
  2. Review the Frequently Asked Questions here
  3. If you have additional questions, contact the PhD Admissions Office at gspp-phdadm@berkeley.edu.​

Apply Online Here: Online Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships

Application Checklist and Instructions (all items are to be submitted with the online application)

  1. Statement of Purpose: Please follow the instructions below for the statement of purpose instead of what is directed in the online application. Address these areas in 3-5 double-spaced pages:
    1. The present: Why do you want to pursue a PhD in public policy?
    2. The past:  What experiences or activities bear on your qualifications for this program, e.g., academic research, teaching, professional experience, etc? How do these experiences relate to your decision to undertake a PhD in public policy?
    3. The future: What are your public policy research interests, including the topics /areas you would like to study in the Ph.D. program? And what are your short- and long-term career objectives?
  2. Personal History Statement: Please describe how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a PhD. 
  3. Faculty Advisor Preferences: Please select 3 preferences for a faculty advisor if you are admitted to the program. The assignment of faculty advisors is not guaranteed and is based on the availability of each faculty member. View profiles of available Goldman School faculty here.
  4. Curriculum Vitae: Upload a current CV reflecting your academic and professional work experience and research, education, and any other relevant information.
  5. Writing Sample: A solo-authored, original research paper. This should be under 30 pages, double-spaced. We strongly prefer a writing sample that goes beyond just a literature review or summary of existing research. Its purpose is to make it evident that the student can undertake policy research.
  6. Transcripts: Scan and upload a copy of unofficial transcripts from all universities or colleges attended to the online application. Official transcripts will only be requested if admitted.
  7. Three Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) letters of recommendation are required, and should be submitted with the online graduate application. Applicants may choose to submit up to 5 letters of recommendation. Letters may arrive up until 14 days after the application deadline. We cannot guarantee that letters received after this 14-day period will be reviewed with your application. Please refer to the online application for further instructions on submitting letters of recommendation.
  8. Official GRE Scores: All applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test—the LSAT and GMAT cannot be substituted for the GRE. Test scores must be less than five years old. To send an official score report, the institution code for Berkeley is 4833. To assist you in preparing to take the GRE, free GRE Preparation Tests are now available online .
  9. TOEFL and IELTS Scores: All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years after the test date. To send an official score report, the institution code for Berkeley is 4833. 
  10. Application Fee: The application fee must be submitted with the online application and is not refundable. If you are a U.S. Citizen or current Permanent Resident, the application fee is $135; for all others, the fee is $155. Eligible applicants may apply for an application fee waiver. To do so, you must be a U.S. citizen or a current permanent resident. The form to request a fee waiver is included in the payment section of the online application. Please select the fee waiver option before submitting your application to initiate the fee waiver review process.
  11. Addendum: Please complete this section if you wish to address any specific issues that have adversely impacted your academic performance and/or any aspect of your application.

Please do not submit additional or supplemental materials.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Curriculum

The PhD program emphasizes the generation of knowledge, theories, methodologies, and applications appropriate to the advancement of public policy analysis and management. Doctoral students pursue highly individualized programs of study, working closely with school faculty members to determine coursework to be taken in preparation for the dissertation. Students who have a master’s degree in public policy from another University may be may be asked to take certain first-year master’s level courses at GSPP not offered in other such programs.

Students must be enrolled in PUB POL 296 Ph.D. Seminar each semester. Students may take any of the Goldman School graduate-level courses as electives (PUB POL or PUB AFF), or graduate-level courses in other campus departments, in consultation with their assigned PhD faculty advisor. 

Master's Degree Requirements (MPP)

Curriculum

Core Curriculum—First Year

The core courses emphasize practical applications of analytical skills and encourage students to learn by doing through numerous exercises and projects conducted in teams and individually. Fieldwork activities are also a part of the core curriculum, involving real clients, a written report, and oral briefings on the report. In addition, colloquia with outside speakers are frequently held that further examine some of the policy issues treated in the core courses.

First Year
FallUnitsSpringUnitsSummerUnits
PUB POL 22014PUB POL 210B4Summer Policy Internship (required) 
PUB POL 210A4PUB POL 200B3 
PUB POL 240A4Elective Course4 
PUB POL 200A3PUB POL 240B4 
 15 15 0
Total Units: 30
1

Can be taken in the fall of the first or second year of the program.

Summer Policy Internship

Students are required to complete a policy internship during the summer between the first and second year of study. Students choose positions as apprentices to policy practitioners in international, federal, state, or local government agencies; nonprofit organizations; or private sector corporations and consulting firms; in the United States and abroad. Students enrolled in concurrent degrees with Public Health, Law, Energy & Resources Group, and Social Welfare can satisfy the Goldman School internship requirement with an internship that also meets the internship or summer field-placement requirements prescribed by the relevant concurrent degree requirement, as long as the internship also meets the Goldman School internship requirement.  For prior year summer internship statistics and information, go the Employment Statistics page.

Core Curriculum—Second Year

The second year comprises two required courses, Advanced Policy Analysis (APA) and Political and Organizational Aspects of Public Policy Analysis, plus a number of electives.

The APA project is an intensive study of a significant policy issue of the student’s choice. The project is often done for a specific client in a public or private policy organization, and sometimes the student is paid for the work. For some students, the project is an outgrowth of the summer internship or may lead to a post-graduation position with the client organization.

Students conduct their projects as members of an APA seminar, which provides them with a faculty supervisor and a peer group able to supply constructive suggestions. When the completed analysis is found satisfactory by the faculty, it then serves as the student’s required thesis. Frequently, the specific policy recommendations made in these analyses have been adopted by the student’s client.

Second Year
FallUnitsSpringUnits
PUB POL 25014PUB POL 205 (Thesis Seminar)6
Elective Course2-4 PUB POL 299 (Thesis Independent Study)3
Elective Course2-4Elective Course3-4
Elective Course2-4 
PUB POL 27314 
 12-16 12-13
Total Units: 24-29
1

Can be taken in the fall of the first or second year of the program.

Milestones

Courses

Public Policy

Contact Information

Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP)

2607 Hearst Avenue

Phone: 510-642-4670

Fax: 510-643-9657

Visit School Website

Dean

David C. Wilson, Phd

gsppdean@berkeley.edu

Senior Asst. Dean for Academic Programs & Dean of Students

Anne Campbell Washington

Phone: 510-642-6318

acw@berkeley.edu

Head Graduate Advisor, MPP Program

Jane Mauldon, PhD

Phone: 510-642-3475

jmauldon@berkeley.edu

Head Graduate Advisor, PhD Program

Hilary Hoynes, PhD

Phone: 510-642-1137

hoynes@berkeley.edu

Director of Student Affairs & Undergrad. Minor Advisor

Jalilah LaBrie

Phone: 510-642-1940

jalilah@berkeley.edu

Managing Director of Career/Alumni Services & PhD Student Affairs Advisor

Cecille Cabacungan

Phone: 510-642-1303

cecille@berkeley.edu

Associate Director of MPP and PhD Program Admissions

Lezley Hightower

Phone: 510-642-7888

lhightower@berkeley.edu

Scheduler & Curriculum Planner, Undergraduate Minor Advisor

Emilie Dandan

ebdandan@berkeley.edu

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