Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Do you wonder if there are accredited universities that do not require GRE? Although most of the admission processes ask for GRE or GMAT scores, there are a few who do not require GRE at all. These schools or universities focus on the education part of the program rather than the GRE scores. Here are some of the universities with No GRE programs.

• Liberty University
• University of Nebraska, Omaha
• Syracuse University
• University of Southern California

If you feel like referring to some notes from your universities or would like to understand the new curricula for the masters, whatever be the reason, to brush up your skills or a quick reference, there are always sources to help you with like the free Public Policy online courses. These are usually lectures or study materials provided by the universities from the previous years. Although, this would not get you a degree but can help in honing your skills. Below is the free programs list:

• MIT OpenCourseware – Making Public Policy
• University of Virginia via Coursera – Public Policy Challenges in 21st Century
• University of Michigan via Coursera – Act on Climate
• MIT OpenCourseware – Quantitative Research in Political Science & Public Policy

If you are planning to complement your current graduate degree or accelerate your professional skills, then rigorous one-year MPP programs are the best way to go for. Many universities help you in your mid-professional requirement or in a study-part time mode with their intensive and accelerated courses that comprises of all the concepts of Public policy taught in a fast lane. Here is the list of universities that offer accelerated MPP Programs:

• Liberty University – 1.5 years
• Arizona State University – 19 months
• Northwestern University – 12 months with full time (with some on-campus courses) or fully online courses that can be finished at your own pace.

The question that always comes up is, how to pay for the online master’s education? Many organizations offer various kinds of financial aid, scholarships, and assistance for online master’s students. See the Best Financial Aid Guide to find out more about financial aid and paying for online master’s programs in public policy using FAFSA and other sources.

Scholarships for Online Master’s in Public Policy Students

If you are a natural influencer and would like to bring improvements in the community by authorizing from a prestigious position, then the public policy scholarship would be the best channel to lead toward your goals. Here is a list of scholarships:

• Robertson Foundation for Government Fellowships: Robertson Foundation for Government (RGF) administers fellowships to students to encourage to embrace government service as a future calling. RGF emphasizes building corps of public service leaders to help the U.S formulate and implement policies that benefit Americans. Eligibility criteria include students demonstrate leadership skills, agree to work for the federal government for a minimum of 3 years of the first seven years after graduation.
• Edith Schwab Memorial Scholarship: The Bluegrass foundation of Lexington, KY administers the Edith Schwab Memorial Scholarship for graduate students that are pursuing a degree and career in Public Service. Applicants must have excellent academic records, demonstrate financial need, and intend to continue work in the state of Kentucky. Award Amount: $1,000 Deadline: Mar 4
• Byron Hanke Fellowship: Foundation of Community Association Research (FCAR) administers the Byron Hanke Fellowship to graduate students to implement research projects for the development, management, and governance of common interest community associations. Eligibility includes – students should be enrolled in a graduate-level program at an accredited university. Award Amount: $5,000 Deadline: May 1
• Glenn & Dorothy Dumke Fellowship: Glenn & Dorothy Dumke Fellowship is for students that are attending a graduate program at California State University, majoring in Public Policy and other areas. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0. Award Amount: $1,400 Deadline: Jan

According to U.S. News, “in many career sectors, such as higher ed administration, public affairs, and social services, a master’s degree is replacing a bachelor’s as the minimum requirement for employment.” Considering this and the many opportunities that are open for a master’s degree in Public policy, you can consider that a lucrative job is not a distant dream. Some many potential fields and positions can give you a thriving career. Here is a sneak peek in the different job titles, responsibilities, and average salaries, for your convenience.

Source: Bureau of Labor and Statistics

Certifications and licensing mark a sense of achievement and a symbol of recognition. If you want to combine skills and the application of the knowledge to be certified in a specialization, then here is a list of certifications and licensing.

• Graduate Certificate in Public Policy Analysis: Along with the Certification in Public policy analysis, you also attain a vast knowledge about the critical tools required for program evaluation, benefit-cost analysis, multivariate regression.
• Public Affairs Council: If you are committed to enhancing your skills in public affairs, then the Public Affairs council has certifications that deserve a try.

1. Certificate in Public Affairs Management: Allows you to enhance the management of your public affairs expertise.
2. Certificate in PAC and Grassroots Management: Best suited for mid-level professionals who are looking to leverage their skills and career.
3. Certificate in Government Relations and Lobbying: Helps in deepening the best practices and strategies along with putting it into practice.

During your education or your professional career, your associating with members of the same area benefits in many ways. It marks the opportunities of discussing career opportunities for students, professionals can communicate with peers, and more. A body/association that connects and keeps everyone informed about the aspects of Public Policy is vital. Here is a list of associations related to Public Policy and its many specializations.enhance Economics careers.

• American Society for Public Administration (ASPA): ASPA represents the interests of public and nonprofit administration professionals, providing networking and career development opportunities, including online educational resources and an annual conference.
• International Public Policy Association: This organization promotes scientific research in public policy and provides networking opportunities for sharing research and professional developments in the field.
• Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM): APPAM promotes the improvement of the profession of public policy and management. Its offerings include conferences and the publication of a multidisciplinary journal highlighting research in the field.