The Department of Public Policy (DPP) at Central European University (CEU) offers a one-year MA in Public Policy (one-year MAPP) degree program that seeks to provide students a solid foundation in theories, which contribute to our understanding of the design, development, and reform of public policies in different institutional contexts, and at various levels of governance.
The one-year MAPP program provides students with a solid grounding in key themes of public policy and policy analysis as well as practical and issue-oriented knowledge that will prepare students for their future roles as policy-makers, advisors, and analysts in governmental and non-governmental organizations. Through the courses included in the mandatory core curriculum, students will gain a detailed and systematic understanding of how policy-making processes are shaped and influenced by both actors and political institutions, and how public policies operate and interact from the global political economy through to national and local levels.
The program consists of a number of mandatory core courses in public policy analysis, economics, ethics, and methods. In addition to the mandatory core curriculum, students have the opportunity to develop thematic expertise by pursuing one of the following areas of specialization:
- Development
- Governance
- Social Justice and Human Rights
- Quantitative Policy Analysis
To complete a specialization One-year MAPP students must
• earn a minimum of 6 course credits in the specialization they have selected and
• write their thesis (7 credits) on a topic related to the same specialization.
Along with the theoretical foundations, the program also seeks to engage students in applied policy work where theoretical concepts can be applied in practice. To fulfill the practice component of the one-year MAPP, students should participate in the Policy Lab.
1. Evidence-Based Policy Analysis
Graduates are able to critically analyse scientific evidence, assess its methodological quality and policy relevance, and synthesise diverse sources of information to support evidence-based policymaking under conditions of complexity and uncertainty.
2. Research and Analytical Methods
Graduates can select, apply, and critically reflect upon qualitative and quantitative research methods in order to investigate complex political and policy-related questions. They are able to design methodologically sound studies, interpret empirical findings, and justify methodological choices in relation to specific research problems.
3. Policy Design and Problem-Solving
Graduates can structure complex public policy problems, develop and compare alternative policy options, and evaluate policy choices in terms of effectiveness, feasibility, risks, and societal implications across different institutional and governance contexts.
4. Communication and Professional Practice
Graduates are able to communicate policy analyses, arguments, and recommendations clearly and persuasively to specialist and non-specialist audiences. They can collaborate effectively in professional and interdisciplinary policy environments.
5. Ethics, Public Values, and Governance
Graduates can identify and critically reflect on ethical dilemmas, normative conflicts, and governance challenges in public policy. They are able to apply principles of integrity, accountability, democratic governance, and public responsibility in professional practice.
6. Independent Research and Learning
Graduates are able to independently plan, conduct, and complete advanced research or policy projects. They demonstrate self-directed learning skills, critical reflection, and the capacity for continued professional and intellectual development.
One-year MAPP students are required to complete 30 CEU credits (22 course credits of mandatory, mandatory/elective and elective courses + 8 dissertation credits). At the end of the teaching terms, one-year MAPP students will write a research thesis under the guidance of a faculty member who will serve as the Thesis Supervisor. The one-year MAPP program also has a mandatory practice component that should be fulfilled via participation in the Policy Lab.
All requests for core course substitution will be considered on an individual basis by the program director. Students requesting a course substitution for the mandatory economics course will need to demonstrate sufficient prior training in the subject (for example, taken graduate-level courses in economics or have majored in economics from a similar program). On approval from the program director, the student will be required to complete four credits of advanced mandatory coursework in economics, to graduate from the program.
Please note that language courses and computer courses are not part of the program curriculum and hence related credits will not count towards your degree.
MAPP students are allowed to enroll only in two credits of Skills for Impact courses.
Find out more
For more information on the admissions procedure please visit our pages on the application process and financial aid or write to dppadmissions@ceu.edu.
Program Director: Brett Wilson
Established: 2005
Accreditation: The program is registered with the New York State Education Department since 2005 and accredited in Austria by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria) since May 7, 2020.
Length of the program: 10 months
- minimum number of credits: 60 ECTS
- minimum pass at the dissertation defense (C+)
- Cummulative GPA of minimum 2.66
Eligibility requirement for admission to the program: a first degree, BA or equivalent from a recognized university or institution of higher education from any discipline. Relevant work experience and/or a graduate degree is recommended but not required.