Masters of Urban Affairs and Public Policy (MUAPP) Program
Welcome to the Masters in Urban Affairs and Public Policy (MUAPP) program at Loyola University Chicago. The MUAPP program attracts high-caliber national, international, and local students to its small, collegial environment setting on the north lake shore of Chicago. Many of our students have gone on to do exciting things! Find out what some of our graduates have been up to in this month's Alumni Spotlight.
The Master of Public Policy (M.P.P) and the Master of Arts in Urban Affairs (M.U.A.) at Loyola are two-year professional degree programs that prepare students to assume leadership roles in government, non-profit organizations, or business. The MPP program focuses on training students to analyze problems in the public sector, design effective programs, and evaluate their impacts. The MUA program uses an interdisciplinary approach to understand the diverse causes of urban problems and their possible solutions. The MUAPP program strives to give you the tools and knowledge to turn concern about these problems into the ability to analyze them, devise appropriate solutions, and then act. Internships and policy clinics provide opportunities for students to utilize the material learned in the classroom to work on real problems in coordination with public or nonprofit agencies.
- The Master of Public Policy program is appropriate for students interested in federal, state, or local government issues. The curriculum develops student knowledge of government programs, how politics influence policy outcomes, the design of effective programs, and the skills to evaluate them.
- The Master of Arts in Urban Affairs is an interdisciplinary degree program that provides a more comprehensive focus on the issues that cities face, such as economic competition, globalization and immigration, and the impact of diversity on communities. The curriculum uses a multidisciplinary approach to provide students with an understanding of the complex factors that contribute to urban problems and their possible solutions.
- MUAPP has recently added a joint degree program with the Loyola University School of Law to provide a J.D./M.P.P. dual degree. It is possible to complete both degrees in three years with careful planning. This option is appropriate for students who are interested in the use of law to create, modify, and enforce public policies and government programs. The role of advocacy, political and administrative feasibility are particularly emphasized in this curriculum. You can review the J.D./M.P.P. Program Overview Brochure to learn more information about the application process, degree requirements, and course plan.
For more information on all programs, Faculty members, MUAPP Handbook, alumni spotlight, internships, fellowships, scholarships, recent job placements, and FAQs continue to MUAPP General Information.
Neither degree program requires a specific undergraduate background. We offer introductory classes on any necessary technical material, such as statistics and economics. Advanced courses then familiarize students with some of the most sophisticated tools in public policy design, analysis, and evaluation. Both programs utilize faculty from multiple departments to offer a wide variety of courses relevant to the study of public policy and urban areas, including use of geographic information systems (GIS), financial management, community field work, and evaluation methods.
Our location in the city of Chicago provides multiple opportunities for involvement in urban affairs and public policy at all levels—neighborhood organizations, city and county agencies, and offices of state and federal government. The community also offers an enjoyable living environment with diverse cultural and social activities in a major metropolitan area.
Please explore the rest of our website, learn more about our programs, and visit us on campus or at an Information Session.
Director
Masters of Urban Affairs and Public Policy Program