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
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
Fall Semester
- Policy Analysis I
- Statistics & Data Analysis
- Microeconomics I
- Politics of the Policy Process or Globalization & Governance
Spring Semester
- Policy Analysis II
- Microeconomics II
- Quantitative Evaluation Methods
- One or two electives
Fall Semester 2
- Master's Project I (3 credits)
- 1 public policy elective (3 credits)
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)
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.
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