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Why this graduate degree program may be for you
The Master of Law & Public Policy is an interdisciplinary public policy program that prepares students for careers in government, non-profit and legal organizations, and research. If you are looking for a public policy program that is more than applied economics, you will appreciate our focus on strategizing public policy.
The Law & Public Policy program examines law, legal institutions, and public policy from an interdisciplinary social science perspective. Students examine a full range of strategies for creating policy change, including legislation, litigation, the ballot box, and civil action. Students engage in policy analysis and applied research that develops real-world solutions to public policy challenges.
What can you expect from the program
The program begins begin with core courses in theories of public policy, research methodology, law, and economics. Then each student develops a unique plan of study in his or her chosen policy field. Students leave the program with solid theoretical grounding in public policy, a toolkit of research methodologies, and expertise in one or more policy areas. Students receive individualized advising from a faculty member in their policy focus area who can guide them in developing a curriculum and planning a career. Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and typically have several years of work experience making the classroom environment especially rich.
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Curriculum
Master’s candidates are required to successfully complete 36 semester hours of graduate coursework. One elective must be taken in the Law School. Credits cannot be double counted toward a law degree. Students may enroll in the program on a part-time or full-time basis. Full-time students can expect to complete the degree program in two academic years; part-time students in three years. Courses are offered in the evenings.
Core Courses and Syllabi
- Interdisciplinary Approaches to Policy and Advocacy- MLW G482
- Economic Analysis for Law, Policy, and Planning – LPSC 6313
- Law and Legal Reasoning – LPSC 7308
- Research and Statistical Methods LPSC7305
- Techniques of Program Evaluation
- Strategizing Public Policy – LPSC 7311
- Ethics and Public Policy
- Methods Toolkits (2)
- Capstone
Sample Areas of Emphasis
- Crime, Law, and Justice
- Health Policy
- Labor Marker Analysis and Workforce Development
- Sustainability, Climate Change and the Environment
- Urban Policy
Core Faculty
- Joan Fitzgerald
- Judith Barr
- Barry Bluestone
- Chris Bosso
- Ballard Campbell
- Alan Clayton-Matthews
- Richard Daynard
- James Alan Fox
- Greg Goodale
- Thomas Koenig
- Steve Nathanson
- Stephanie Pollack
- Michael Tolley
- Daniel Urman
- Gregory Wassall
Financial Aid and Scholarships
In addition to needs-based financial aid, a limited number of tuition discounts and scholarships are available. We urge you to complete your application for admission as early as possible. Applications for financial aid are processed after students have been admitted into the program. For complete details, go to Tuition and Financial Aid.
Admissions
Admissions to the MS in Law & Public Policy program are for the fall semester only. To apply to the Law & Public Policy program, please submit:
- Completed application
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended
- Personal statement
- Current resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Application fee
- GRE General Scores (The code for Northeastern University for the GRE is R3682.)
All applications must be submitted online through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Application Deadline:
- August 1, 2012 for Fall Semester 2012
