Public Policy: Sustainable Communities Concentration, (M.P.P.)

Program Overview

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) is a graduate professional degree that helps students prepare for careers in public policy, governance, and service. The global economy is linked to the rapid human migration into urban areas with more than 50 percent of the world’s population now living and working in cities. This new economy has created a shift in developing countries toward economic growth in the areas of manufacturing, communications, and technologies. The increased migration to urban areas and challenges facing city living covers the spectrum from income inequality, to concerns for sustainable lifestyles, and social inclusion. Considering both the opportunities and problems the global economy and urbanization generate, the goal of the MPP program is to provide students with a quality education that prepares graduates for leadership and advocacy roles in government and community services. The program combines rigorous academic instruction with civic-engaged participation that gives students the opportunity for hands-on experience under the supervision of faculty and professionals in the field and offers the best features of traditional graduate education and training in policy and service coupled with Adler University’s emphasis on being a socially responsible practitioner.

The MPP program provides students with core knowledge and skills in policy development, analysis, public service evaluation, economic disparities, and political work in the public arena, including national, state, and local governments, policy research centers, consulting firms, community action groups, and direct-service providers in the United States and around the world. The program requires  36 hours of coursework with a minimum of 27 hours of core coursework in public policy and nine hours of concentration coursework in one of the four concentrations: Community Health, Criminal Justice, Human Rights Advocacy, or Sustainable Communities. Each area of concentration assists in the development of students’ abilities in leadership and advocacy and in becoming effective contributors to the process of creating public policy. These abilities include the analysis, synthesis, critical thinking, and problem solving that encourages the growth of a fair and just society. Learning to communicate and interact with diverse groups within a rapidly changing society is essential, as is the ability to articulate and apply new perspectives in policy discussions.

Students choose from one of the four areas of concentration in Community Health, Criminal Justice, Human Rights Advocacy or Sustainable Communities. Concentrations are designed to aid students in becoming effective public administration professionals. Concentration courses help advance graduates’ abilities in leadership, advocacy and in the design of public programs and organizations that encourage the growth of a fair and just society. Learning to communicate and interact with diverse groups within a rapidly changing society is essential, as is the ability to articulate and contribute new perspectives in discussions on addressing social, economic, and environmental problems.

MPP Program Objectives

At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:

1. Describe and execute policymaking process, including defining the problem, setting the agenda, formulating policy, implementing policy, and evaluating policy.
2. Understand and apply criteria appropriate to public affairs, administration, and policy.
3. Know and apply the professional code of conduct and behave in a fair and ethical manner when creating and implementing policy.
4. Communicate effectively with diverse populations and practice collaborative policymaking.
5. Apply the learned skills to resolve conflict and negotiate change.
6. Analyze and think critically about the social and/or economic construction of problems while brainstorming solutions.
7. Understand and apply theories of decision-making and models.
8. Apply concepts of social equity to public affairs and policy.

Sustainable Communities Concentration

The Sustainable Communities concentration provides an interdisciplinary course of study that integrates the classroom curriculum with examples of community development, physical and environmental planning, and economic growth. It prepares students to use practical tools such as survey design, environmental impact assessments, community-based research, and service projects in designing healthy, sustainable communities.

The curriculum aims to teach students how to integrate the community’s input and vision with well-researched findings to create solutions that meet community needs. It prepares graduates for professional development in program and project management, community leadership, social and environmental advocacy, and employment in both government and nonprofit agencies.

Concentration Objectives

1. Apply practical tools such as survey design, environmental impact assessments, community-based research, and service projects in designing healthy, sustainable communities.
2. Explain program and project management, community leadership, social and environmental advocacy, and employment in both government and nonprofit agencies.

Social Justice Practicum (SJP)

The Social Justice Practicum (SJP) is a first-year, non-clinical and non-discipline specific experiential practicum for full-time students that occurs during the fall and spring terms. The SJP is an anchor of student learning at Adler University, where our academic institution and community partners unite to educate and equip students with skills to become agents of social change. The purpose of this practicum is twofold: (1) to assist community agencies in their work toward equity for all members of our community; and (2) to enable students to gain knowledge, skills, and perspectives around social justice strategies needed to build a more equitable society.

The SJP is designed to help students learn how to work alongside communi­ties, and it serves as a catalyst for students to develop their own strengths and understand their lifelong responsibility in making a contribution toward social change and social equity. During this practicum, students gain, maintain, and strengthen connection to community by developing critical problem solving skills necessary to be socially responsible practitioners.

Students must complete their practicum by the last day of spring term. SJP requirements include: (1) completion of a minimum of 200 hours; (2) attendance at a monthly Campus Community Engagement workshop; and (3) a formal SJP presentation at the Annual Community Engagement Symposium. Students must also receive a grade of “Pass” for the midterm and final evaluation to receive credit for completing the SJP.

The SJP may not be waived and life credit is not admissible to meet this requirement.

Instruction Modality

The MPP program is designed to support working students with courses being offered during evening hours in fall and spring semesters and during summer term evenings and one weekend class per summer course. Full-time students complete the degree in one year taking four classes during fall, spring, and summer semesters. Part-time students complete the program in two years taking two courses during fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants to this program are required to have:

• A baccalaureate degree earned from a college or university regionally accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or an equivalent degree from an international college or university.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for undergraduate and graduate coursework. Exceptions may be made for applicants who demonstrate outstanding academic performance or academic ability in other ways.

For approved applicants, an invitation is extended for a personal interview with the department’s Program Director as the final step in the application process.

Graduation Requirements

Total Credit Hours Required: 36

• Satisfactory completion of all required credit hours, including all required courses.
• Satisfactory completion of a master level research project.
• A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and no more than two grades or six credit hours of C
• Submission of completed Graduation Application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.
• Satisfactory completion of Social Justice Practicum I and II
• Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the Master of Public Policy