The MPP degree is a valuable complement to a degree in a professional or academic field.

An MPP can give you the analytical and policy skills you need while you complete graduate study in an area you are passionate about, such as environmental science or entrepreneurship

The total time involved for a dual degree is longer than completing a single degree program. However, dual degrees often cost less time and money than completing two separate master's degree programs. 

Dual degree students complete MPP first-year courses and the summer internship, and then register for courses in Law, Business, Environment, Divinity or Medicine during their second year at Duke.

During the final year of study in the dual-degree programs, students will complete coursework, including a Master’s Project under the close supervision of a public policy faculty member. 

 

 

 

 

Program Options

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MPP/MBA'22 Alumnus

"In this time with so much strife in our country. I think it's ever more important for us to really assert ourselves and to be leaders; to help solve these intractable problems. I feel like my time at Sanford has really equipped me to be able to do that." - Seve Gaskin MPP/MBA'22

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MBA/MPP

With Duke's Fuqua School of Business & UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School

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MD/MPP

With Duke University School of Medicine

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JD/MPP

With Duke University School of Law, University of North Carolina School of Law, North Carolina Central University School of Law

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MEM/MPP or MF/MPP

With Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment

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MDIV/MPP

With Duke Divinity School

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Due to the curriculum structure for dual-degree students, we do not offer a dual-degree option with Ph.D. or programs other than those listed above.

Dual-degree programs work well for highly motivated students who can take advantage of the strengths of both programs. Pursuing a dual degree requires a strong commitment to completing two programs, each with its own requirements. The total time involved is longer than completing a single degree program. However, dual degrees often cost less in time and money than completing two separate master's degree programs.

Typical Dual Degree Course Sequence

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Fall Semester

  • Policy Analysis I
  • Statistics & Data Analysis
  • Microeconomics I
  • Politics of the Policy Process or Globalization & Governance

 

 12-15 Credits
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Spring Semester

  • Policy Analysis II
  • Microeconomics II
  • Quantitative Evaluation Methods
  • One or two electives

 

12-15 Credits
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Fall Semester 2

  • Master's Project I (3 credits)
  • 1 public policy elective (3 credits)

 

6 Credits
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SPRING SEMESTER 2

  • Master's Project II (3 credits)
  • 1 public policy elective (3 credits; if not taken in spring of the first MPP year)

 

3 or 6 credits, depending on first-year load. 

SUMMER INTERNSHIP & dual Program

An internship is required the summer after completing the first MPP year. Our Career Services staff supports students to find an internship that matches their interests.

After completing the first year and the summer internship, students register primarily for courses through the Law, Business, Environment, or Medical School. During the final year of study in their dual-degree programs, students register with the Sanford School for three or four courses, two of which focus on the development, research, and writing of the Master’s Project under the close supervision of a public policy faculty member.

Two Applications are Needed

Separate applications are required for each program. You'll need to submit evaluation forms, transcripts and test scores to each program. You may use the same recommendation for both applications, but the forms themselves must be submitted independently.

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Student Handbook

Get all the information you need about the program. Download the MPP Student Handbook.

At Sanford, you develop the skills to address the policy issues that will have the greatest impact. [The dual degree] broadened my potential as a policy analyst and allowed me to get more out of my degree.

Matt Jentgen MPP/MEM ’12, Senior Air Quality Specialist, US Environmental Protection Agency