Online Public Policy Degree Programs

For students wishing to graduate with an accredited online public policy degree, there is a variety of career paths to choose from, including becoming politicians, college professors, government diplomats, and administrators.

Public policy is the basic policy or set of policies which form the foundation of public laws. The field involves the study of policy problems and government responses to these issues. Online public policy schools offer various concentrations Programs are generally offered at the Masters in public policy or PhD in policy studies or government. The degree in public policy is designed to develop your analytical skills, understand of macroeconomic and micro-economic theory, and sociocultural issues that influence policy making. Master public policy coursework also focuses on decision-making, legal analysis, program evaluation, statistics, bureaucratic structure analysis, and civil and administrative law. With a public policy career you can work in local, state, or federal government, as well as global businesses, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the non-profit sector.

Search for Online Public Policy Courses

Locate Public Policy Programs in your area

Selected Online Public Policy Degree Programs

• Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Public Relations
• Master’s Degree in Political Management

New England College

• Master of Arts in Public Policy

Walden University

• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - General Program
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Health Policy
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Homeland Security Policy
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Interdisciplinary Policy Studies
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Law and Public Policy
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Local Government Management for Sustainable Communities
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Nonprofit Management and Leadership
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Policy Analysis
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Public Management and Leadership
• Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) - Terrorism, Mediation and Peace
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Criminal Justice
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - General Program
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Health Services
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Homeland Security Policy and Coordination
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - International Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Knowledge Management
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Nonprofit Management and Leadership
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Public Management and Leadership
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Public Policy
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Public Safety Management

South University

• Master of Public Administration - Public Policy

Norwich University

• Masters in Public Administration

Kaplan University - Online

• AAS in Public Administration and Policy
• Advanced Start BS in Public Administration and Policy
• BS in Public Administration and Policy

Ashford University

• BA / Public Administration

• Certificate in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation
• Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation

Public Policy Education and Training

The bachelors degree in public policy degree, public policy masters, and PhD in public policy graduate programs are designed to examine how society is governed, leadership and management, and political operations. Concentrations include Law and Justice, World Politics, National Security, International Relations, Comparative Politics.

Other areas of study in for a public policy degree or public management program are geared toward careers in local, county, national, state, and international public policy. A Public Policy degree also gives students a good background to prepare for other graduate programs in political science, economics, public administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA), and law school.

Areas of study in public policy include Policy Studies, Policy Analysis, Administration, Political Economy and Government, PhD in Social Policy, Public Affairs, Public Management, Government Administration, Urban Planning, City Planning, Urban Planning, Regional Planning, and International Affairs.

Public Policy Careers

Students who graduate with a campus or online public policy degree are prepared for various careers in public policy including international service, diplomacy, foreign affairs, and management and administrative positions in working in multinational and global corporations and companies. Other areas of public policy careers are political process management, campaign management, political consulting, and polling.

Training in public policy and administration prepares professionals to have the knowledge and skills to plan, develop, evaluate, and implement a wide range of public policies depending on the sector.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates indicate that with a public policy degree, salaries range from about $54,000 to $93,000 a year depending on the area of specialization and location. An advanced masters or doctorate degree from accredited online public policy schools puts you on the higher end of the pay scale. A related area of study is economics, where the rate of employment is expected to grow between 7% and 13% in the United States.