Master of Public Policy
The Master of Public Policy (MPP) provides the tools tomorrow’s decision makers need to analyse policies, critically assess policy innovations and evaluate solutions. It is a hands-on programme, giving students not only knowledge but experience they can use to promote good policies in all sectors. The interdisciplinary programme is ideal for individuals who want to understand and get involved in public affairs, learn analytical and managerial skills and help shape tomorrow’s world.
Key facts about the Master of Public Policy
- 2-year, full-time programme (120 ECTS) in English, MPP degree
- Specialise in policy analysis or management and organisation
- Integrated professional development: Internship and Professional Year programme
- Scholarships available
- Career services, professional and alumni network
- Leading international faculty
- International academic exchanges and dual degrees
- Tuition: 16,250 euros per year
- Accredited by ACQUIN
Curriculum of the Master of Public Policy
Build a strong interdisciplinary foundation. Combine theory and practice to understand today’s most pressing public policy problems. Gain the tools needed to analyse and manage policy challenges and to formulate sustainable solutions. Check out the course catalogue.
Semester 1
This course introduces students to the policy process with a governance perspective. It analyses the capacity of political actors to design instruments to influence particular outcomes in different fields. Focusing on governance, rather than governments, students gain a broad perspective in the range of relevant actors involved in the policy process. The course provides students with a thorough understanding of the policy process, as well as the perspective to achieve their own targets as future policy actors. The course is taught as a seminar with about 25 participants. It is offered with different foci such as social policy, energy policy or the policy process in the EU.
You can find more information in the course catalogue:
- The policy process: Climate policy
- The policy process: Education, labour markets and the knowledge economy
- The policy process: Social policy
This course deals with the design and operation of organisations that matter for public policy. It provides an understanding of how these organisations 'tick' internally, how they shape the design and implementation of public policies and how they can be 'governed'. Critical thinking about solutions offered in debates related to public management issues will be encouraged. The course is taught as a seminar with about 25 participants.
You can find more information about this course in the course catalogue.
This course provides students with an introduction to micro- and macroeconomics. It is suitable for students without an economics background, but those with prior training will also benefit from this course. It focuses on core topics such as supply and demand analysis, market and price analysis, competition, market failure, asymmetric information, externalities and government intervention, game theory and uncertainty, macroeconomic equilibrium, money market and the role of central banks, labour market, aggregate demand and supply, government, and fiscal policies. The course is taught as a lecture with about 80 participants. The lecture is complemented by a lab session (with about 16 participants) in which students have the chance to discuss and further elaborate on the topics examined in the lecture. For students with a strong economics background, waivers are available.
You can find more information in the course catalogue:
- Economics I
- Economics advanced:
- Economic and Financial Market Policy
- Economic Policy - Theory and Practice
- Public sector economics
(For students with a background in Economics, who opt for a waiver)
The course offers an introduction to quantitative research methods for policymakers. Students will be acquainted with quantitative methods conducive to empirical policy research. No prior knowledge of statistics is required, and concepts will be addressed both empirically and theoretically. The course is taught as a lecture with about 80 participants. The lecture is complemented by a weekly lab session (with about 16 participants) in which concepts will be reinforced through hands-on application using STATA. For students with a strong background in quantitative methods, waivers are available.
You can find more information in the course catalogue:
- Statistics I
- Statistics II
(For students with a background in Stats, who opt for a waiver)
Semester 2
This course elucidates the relationship in modern societies between law and governance i.e. between legal structures and rules and decision-making. It is divided into three main parts: foundational legal techniques and sources, such as legal interpretation and argumentation; the relationship between law and policymaking; and the trans-nationalisation of modern law, and the impact of such trans-nationalisation on the law’s form, structures and substance. By examining primary legal materials and their interaction with contemporary public policy issues and dilemmas, students gain competences in reading and applying legal sources, as well as in understanding the impact of law on decision-making at different levels of governance. The course is taught as a seminar with approximately 25 participants.
You can find more information about this course in the course catalogue.
The course builds on the foundations laid in Economics I during the first semester. Students deepen their knowledge and acquire analytical competences in this course depending on their field of interest. They can choose between three variations of the course: Open Economy and Exchange Rates, Public Sector Economics, or Growth and Trade. Each course is taught as a lecture with about 80 participants. The lecture is complemented by a lab session (with about 16 participants) in which students have the chance to discuss and further elaborate on the topics covered in the lecture.
You can find more information in the course catalogue:
During the first semester, students decide on their concentration and either attend the Statistics II course (for students with the Policy Analysis concentration) or the Management and Leadership course (for students with the Management and Organisation concentration).
You can find more information in the course catalogue:
This practice course is usually taught in cooperation with a public policy institution. It gives students the opportunity to tackle the demands of a real-world policy project, test the practical relevance of what they have been studying in other courses, and employ and refine professional skills. Students work in teams on a real-world policy project. Each course has approximately 20 participants.
Selected examples of project courses:
- What makes an effective public innovation lab?
- Digitalisation and the labour market: Policymaking in an age of disruption
- Stakeholder communication and public affairs
- Sustainable development: Theory, analysis, practice
- Citizens budget and informed citizens
Please note that the available project courses vary by semester. These are examples of project courses that have been on offer in recent semesters. For more information, please contact the Curricular Affairs team.
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Between the first and second years of study, students complete an internship at an institution in the public, private or civil society sector. All internships have a minimum duration of 6 weeks, full-time during the summer break (late May to late August). It is also possible for students to ask for a leave of absence for one or two semesters after their first year of study to gather more substantial professional experience.
Semester 3
In order for students to refine and deepen their quantitative analysis or management skills, they attend at least two concentration-based electives either from the Policy Analysis concentration or the Management and Organisation concentration in their third or fourth semester.
Examples of Policy Analysis concentration electives:
- Applied migration research
- Behavioural economics and experimental policy evaluations
- Renewable energy policies
- Logistic regression analysis
- Economics of crime and security: Policies and evaluation methods
- Quantitative text analysis
Examples of Management and Organisation concentration electives:
- Citizen empowerment in public services
- Experimental policymaking
- Managing nonprofit organisations and foundations
- Organisational failure and public policy disasters
- Smart cities and the problem-solving capacity of urban governance
- Strategic management in the public sector
Please note that the available concentration electives vary by semester. These are examples of electives that have been on offer in recent semesters. Elective courses are taught as seminars with up to 22 participants. For more information, please contact the Curricular Affairs team.
Students deepen their knowledge and elaborate their policy and competence portfolio by auditing three additional portfolio electives. These courses can be selected from the entire catalogue of electives provided that spots are still available in the requested course.
Elective courses are taught as seminars with up to 22 participants.
For some course examples, explore the course catalogue.
Semester 4
In order for students to refine and deepen their quantitative analysis or management skills, they attend at least two concentration-based electives either from the Policy Analysis concentration or the Management and Organisation concentration in their third or fourth semester.
Examples of Policy Analysis concentration electives:
- Applied migration research
- Behavioural economics and experimental policy evaluations
- Renewable energy policies
- Logistic regression analysis
- Economics of crime and security: Policies and evaluation methods
- Quantitative text analysis
Examples of Management and Organisation concentration electives:
- Citizen empowerment in public services
- Experimental policymaking
- Managing nonprofit organisations and foundations
- Organisational failure and public policy disasters
- Smart cities and the problem-solving capacity of urban governance
- Strategic management in the public sector
Please note that the available concentration electives vary by semester. These are examples of electives that have been on offer in recent semesters. Elective courses are taught as seminars with up to 22 participants. For more information, please contact the Curricular Affairs team.
Students deepen their knowledge and elaborate their policy and competence portfolio by auditing three additional portfolio electives. These courses can be selected from the entire catalogue of electives provided that spots are still available in the requested course.
Elective courses are taught as seminars with up to 22 participants.
For some course examples, explore the course catalogue.
At the end of their third semester, students start to work on a master's thesis project supported by a Master's thesis colloquium taught by their thesis advisor, a core faculty member. The master's thesis is an independent research project in which students apply the theoretical and methodological knowledge acquired in their studies to a practical policy problem, ideally in collaboration with a practice partner. The master's thesis results in a written paper of about 12,000 words that is submitted at the end of the students' fourth semester. They can team up with other students to work on a joint thesis project.
For examples of thesis projects, watch these videos.
Check out Christine Reh’s presentation at the Open Day
What graduate programmes do we offer? What careers do our alumni pursue? And what else do you need to know about studying at the Hertie School? Watch Christine Reh, Dean of Graduate Programmes, answer these questions at our last Open Day in March 2019.
An international student body
MPP students come from over 50 nations and many academic disciplines and professional backgrounds. The average MPP student speaks 4 languages, holds 2 degrees, has completed 3 internships, and has studied, volunteered or worked in 3 countries. Learn more about them:
Combine your studies
Gain additional international or professional experience during the master's programme by integrating a Professional Year into your studies or seeking a dual degree in cooperation with another distinguished international partner institution.
Support along the way
Pursuing a master's degree can be challenging at times. But be sure, we got your back. Be it before and upon your arrival in Berlin or throughout your studies, staff and faculty will assist you in matters concerning your studies, academic exchange opportunities or your career development.
Technology to encourage civic participation
Gloria Guerrero (MPP 2017) is Chief Operating Officer of Factico, a technology start-up that develops platforms to promote civic participation and freedom of speech in Mexico. During the 2018 alumni reunion, Gloria shared how she is shaping her community using digital tools. [more]
Apply today
The MPP programme is open to graduates from all disciplines. We are looking for well-rounded applicants with a very good first degree as well as a strong motivation to study public policy. Relevant professional experience, civic engagement and international experience strengthen your application.
To increase your chances of a scholarship or financial aid, you are encouraged to apply by 1 February. Applications are accepted until 1 May.