Why study Public Policy?

Degrees and Certificate Programs

Doctorate in Public Policy Analysis (Ph.D.)
Masters of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)
Masters of Arts in Urban Affairs (MUA)
Masters in Urban Planning and Real Estate Development (MUPRD)
Joint Degrees with the School of Law in Public Administration (JD/MPA) or Urban Affairs (JD/MUA)
Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs (BA)
Certificate in Geographic Information Systems
Certificate in Organizational Development

Public Policy degree and certificate programs are available to both full-time and part-time students. Most class sessions are held during the afternoon and evening hours to accommodate our students' diverse schedules, though some day-time classes are available.

Public Policy Faculty & Staff

Our faculty members hold degrees in economics, policy analysis, political science, public administration, sociology, and urban planning. In addition to our core faculty, we have faculty members from the Schools of Business, Law, Public Health, Social Service, and from the Departments of Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. To find out more about individual faculty and staff members, click here.

To Apply

Graduate Degree & Certificate Applications may be obtained from the Graduate School. Necessary documentation including undergraduate transcripts, Graduate Record Examinations or other equivalent standardized test scores and letters of recommendation should be completed and submitted to them.

Joint Degree Applicants should contact the Saint Louis University Law School's Admissions Office and obtain, complete, and submit the necessary Law School admission forms. After completing the first year of Law studies, the student should then apply to the Graduate School for admission to one of the joint degree programs.

Undergraduate Urban Affairs Majors should also apply to the College of Public Service at the time they are applying to Saint Louis University. At the end of the student's sophomore year a Declaration of Major form should be filled out at the Office of the College of Public Service. The Department of Public Policy Studies should also be contacted at that time to give departmental approval for the transfer of the student from Undeclared status to an Urban Affairs Major.

International Students are required to complete and submit the Graduate School Application prior to making formal application for degree-seeking status.

Credit Transfer for graduate work done at another college or university may be accepted toward our degrees. Ordinarily, work completed elsewhere more than five years prior to the beginning of the current degree program will not be approved for transfer. In order for credit to be transferred, an official transcript of the student's record must be sent to the Graduate School by the college or university at which the work was done, the student must have completed six hours of coursework toward the degree at Saint Louis University and the transfer of credit must have been approved by our faculty. The maximum number of hours that may be transferred varies by degree program. In general, work that was part of a master's degree program completed elsewhere will not be approved for transfer (i.e., the same course may not be "double counted" in two separate master's degree programs). Similarly, a graduate course taken in partial fulfillment of undergraduate degree requirements may not also be included in a graduate degree program.

Waivers may be obtained for certain coursework, with replacement of credit hours toward the degree, based on previous undergraduate or graduate coursework. Questions about course waivers should be discussed with the student's faculty advisor after admission.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Current Undergraduate & Graduate Tuition information is available for review.

A wide range of grants and loans are available for graduate and undergraduate students through the Office of Student Financial Services. Graduate students may be eligible for departmental tuition remission grants or fellowships and research assistantships with tuition remission and stipends. Assistantship Applications are available through the Graduate School.

A small number of intra-university research and administrative grants are also available for graduate students through the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of Public Policy Studies. Those interested in pursuing grants should apply through the Department of Public Policy Studies.

For More Information

To have information sent to you about any of our graduate programs, fill out this on-line form. You can also schedule a visit to the Department of Public Policy Studies, meet with professors and/or audit classes. Call (314) 977-3934 to make arrangements, or e-mail Admissions Counselor Iris Hampton at hamptoi2@slu.edu.

Further Resources

The Public Policy Bulletin - department news, seminars & conferences, job opportunities and cultural events of interest to public policy students. It is updated weekly throughout the academic year.
The Policymaker - Read in-depth stories about the research and workings of Department of Public Policy Studies
Career Outreach - What types of positions are accessible to Public Policy students and graduates?
Geographical Information Systems Lab - Learn more about GIS Technology.
Overview of Saint Louis University
St. Louis Resources

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