Graduate Areas of Concentration

Energy policy; environmental policy; international policy; law, crime, and policy; rural policy; science and technology policy; social policy

EMPP available only via Ecampus.

MPP also available via Ecampus.

Oregon State University offers graduate programs in public policy to students interested in energy policy; environmental policy; international policy; law, crime, and policy; rural policy; science and technology policy; and/or social policy. The degrees are granted by the College of Liberal Arts and provide graduate education for students wishing to develop their interests and careers in the public and nonprofit sectors.

The EMPP is designed for mid-career professionals in the public sector who are interested in moving up in their positions or who are looking to transition from the private sector to a career in public service. The Master of Public Policy (MPP) specifically prepares students for careers in domestic and international organizations or preparation for PhD studies. The PhD in Public Policy prepares students for academic or non-academic research careers in the public, private, and nongovernmental sectors.

The Public Policy Graduate Program accepts students with backgrounds in related academic disciplines. The degrees are designed to provide individuals with analytic skills, an understanding of public policy processes, and substantive knowledge in a specific policy area.

To see details outlined in a brochure, visit the Public Policy website.

For more information, contact:

Professor Brent Steel, Graduate Program Director
318 Bexell Hall
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-6206
Phone: 541-737-2811
Fax: 541-737-2289
Email: bsteel@oregonstate.edu

Major Code: 9570

EMPP

• Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
• Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.

MPP

• Conduct research or produce some other form of creative work.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
• Conduct scholarly or professional activities in an ethical manner.

PhD

• Produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
• Conduct scholarly activities in an ethical manner.
• Ability to conduct original policy research that extends the knowledge of both policy and other social science disciplines. This will be demonstrated through mastery and application of critical thinking, and application of standard and innovative policy theory and methods in both coursework and an individual research project.
• Substantive knowledge in an area of concentration that allows for immediate immersion in a relevant policy arena. This will be accomplished through coursework, independent study, and a professional practicum.
• Experience in the practice of policy analysis, development, and implementation through coursework, seminars, applied research opportunities, PhD dissertation, and appropriate professional practicum where appropriate.
• A commitment to diversity because it enhances our education and provides tools to be culturally respectful, professionally competent, and civilly responsible. This will occur through participation and training in courses and seminars throughout the entire program.

MPP

The Master of Public Policy is a professional degree intended to prepare students for careers in the public, nonprofit, and international sectors and offer training for in-service students desiring professional growth and advancement. The degree is designed to be a generalist program, with an emphasis on analytic skills and policy knowledge. The degree requires a minimum of 62 graduate credits, 44 of which are in the required core. The core curriculum provides an important foundation in statistics, research methods, computer applications, public policy analysis, public administration and ethics, and economics. The remaining 18 credits support the student's preferred area of concentration, consisting of environmental policy, international policy, rural policy, science policy, or social policy. Students with little work experience in public service, the nonprofit sector, or the international context will be required to engage in a supervised internship that will allow them to work closely with experienced mentors who will help them integrate theory with practice and introduce them to a professional network. Students with relevant work experience will substitute course work for internship credits. A final oral examination is required.

EMPP

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 EMPP students can select a focus in one of several established concentrations or graduate certificate programs, or self-design a concentration with an advisor and with the approval of the OSU Public Policy Graduate Program Director. All concentrations and graduate certificates require at least 16 quarter credits.  Students can take concentration and elective courses from a variety of approved programs and colleges across OSU curriculum and relevant PSU online courses.  In addition, both OSU and PSU intend to develop additional concentrations and graduate certificates in the future that meet student and community needs (e.g., intersection of rural-urban policy, etc.). Each concentration and/or certificate has a faculty advisor to help students identify appropriate courses and committee members

Major Code: 9570