Frequently Asked Questions

Both the Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) and the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Urban Affairs prepare individuals for leadership roles in government, nonprofit organizations, or business.

The Public Policy degree is appropriate for students who want to focus on the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policy at any level of government. Students receive in-depth training in the quantitative aspects of public policy analysis with a strong focus on how to develop a program and how to determine if it is having an impact.

The Urban Affairs degree is a multidisciplinary program that provides students the opportunity to study the forces that shape cities, their neighborhoods, and the problems that urban areas face. It provides students with a better understanding of the complex factors that affect service delivery in urban neighborhoods and how to work in this environment. It is appropriate for students more interested in program implementation.

Full-time students in the Public Policy program normally complete their degree program in two years. Part-time students generally complete the program in three years depending on the number of courses they choose to take each semester. Full-time students in the Urban Affairs program can complete their  31-credit degree in 18 months.

All required courses are offered in the late afternoon or evening.  Some electives are offered by other departments and may be offered only during daytime hours.  All required courses are taught at the Water Tower Campus or online. About half of the classes offered each semester are offered online.

You may transfer up to 6 credit hours from another graduate program in a related discipline. Courses considered for transfer credit should have been taken within the past five years. The Public Policy Program Director must approve of the transfer credits and will decide how to apply the credits to the degree requirements.

For tuition information, please see the Bursar's Office.

The program can offer very limited financial assistance.  Most students finance their education through student loans or outside employment.  For information on financial aid, see Financial Information.

Graduate housing at Loyola University Chicago is available only in Baumhart Hall, located on our Water Tower campus. For more information on graduate student housing, please see the Residential Life website.

We do not require a GRE score for this program, but will use other criterion to determine admissions decisions. Grade point average, letters of recommendation, and the statement of purpose are key parts of the application and will be considered during the admissions decision process.

To coordinate a campus visit or request more information, please contact muapp@luc.edu.

For the vast majority of students in the MUAPP Program a three credit-internship is required. For students with professional work experience, a capstone project or policy clinic resulting in a major analytical report can replace the internship. For more information, check out the internship section.

Students in the MUAPP Program come from many diverse backgrounds, with some arriving directly from their undergraduate program and others working for many years before returning to school. Work experience, in policy or otherwise, is not required.

Many students find that it is possible to work either part- or full-time while studying in the MUAPP Program. All required classes are at night and we will work with you and your employer to find a suitable internship option if you are employed full-time. There is also the option of completing your degree on a part-time basis.