Public Policy

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) programme at the Hertie School of Governance (HSoG) was launched in 2005 with the mission of preparing exceptionally talented young people to face the challenges of globalisation in the 21 st century. The MPP programme realises this goal through an interdisciplinary curriculum and practical relevance. It focuses on actors from the public, private, and civil society sectors, as well as developing and refining analytical and problem-solving skills.

Inspired by leading professional public policy schools in the United States, the MPP programme at the HSoG brings something new to the international scene: a focus on European statehood and European social order, as well as the historical process of European integration.

The distinctive features of the programme have given MPP students the tools to succeed in the job market. Furthermore, the School’s alumni network enables graduates to continue to play a role in the development of the HSoG and serve as a valuable resource for current students.

As one of the leading public policy schools in Europe, the HSoG will continue to attract excellent students and equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to understand and shape policy on a local, regional, or international level in the future.

Broaden your academic scope

To successfully deal with governance issues in complex settings, public policy leaders need the flexibility and know-how to navigate the public, private, and civil society sectors. A solid understanding of cross-border political challenges is also essential in an era of globalisation. Different actors and their modes of action and interaction on the national, regional, and international levels need to be studied to develop solutions to current challenges in public policy.

At the HSoG, MPP students are exposed to a ‘European take' on governance. This implies a focus on governance beyond the nation state, as well as on the cooperation of public and private actors in international institutions such as the European Union and the United Nations. Students analyse the political, economic, and legal aspects relevant to the different spheres of politics and society. Apart from being introduced to public policy concepts, students employ management skills and are trained in quantitative and qualitative research methods.

The MPP programme offers four Areas of Concentration (AoCs)

AoC I deals with European and Global Governance. It goes beyond a state-based international relations perspective to the understanding of a multi-level system of governance. Students who focus on AoC I gain substantive knowledge about how international institutions such as the European Union, the UN, or the WTO work in practice.

AoC II focuses on Economics, Welfare, and Sustainability. Traditionally, domestic actors have shaped policies on economic growth, social welfare, and environmental quality. But policy instruments in these areas are changing in light of powerful new actors and unprecedented regulation, which students learn to analyse and apply.

The AoC III on Public Management looks at public policy decisions as the result of interaction between administration, politics, and society. Students compare and analyse different approaches to administrative reform. They also become familiar with instruments of successful public management such as contracting for results, budgeting, or public-private partnerships.

The focus of AoC IV is Democracies: Transition, Consolidation, Design Alternatives. Today, democracy is challenged by processes of globalisation and internationalisation on the one hand and by new actors in the private and civic spheres on the other. However, these challenges have different implications depending on location and socioeconomic development. Students are encouraged to critically assess different forms of democracy.

Application deadline

The application deadline for the academic year beginning in September 2010 will be 1 March 2010.

Late applications will be accepted until 3 May 2010, as long as space is available. However, late applicants need to be aware that financial aid may no longer be available.