While advancements in science and technology have been rapidly expanding the range of solutions for tackling global challenges such as climate change and population ageing, science and technology innovations have also given rise to a complex set of ethical, institutional and legal issues for governments, non-profit and private entities. Public policy will play an increasingly important role in unlocking the full potential of science and technology in improving the human condition and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program is an interdisciplinary program that equips students with knowledge of the full impact of science and technology innovations, and professional skills in the formulation and implementation of innovative solutions to current and emerging global challenges. The program draws on research and teaching excellence from across a diverse range of disciplines to equip students with a set of core skills in data analytics, economic analysis, and management to become effective policy professionals.

Designed for students with diverse educational backgrounds, including social science, science, engineering, business, and other fields of study, this two-year full-time program consists of a core curriculum, an optional summer internship upon completion of the first year of study, a second year client-based policy analysis project, and elective courses allowing students to develop their areas of specialization. It provides students with complete professional training that focuses on problem-solving skills with real-world cases and examples.

The program places an emphasis on knowledge, analytic skills and management capacities that are highly transferable across sectors, issue areas and global regions. Graduates of the MPP Program may work as analysts, managers, researchers and consultants in a wide variety of organizations, including government agencies, non-profit organizations and private businesses. The training provided by the program is particularly relevant for policy professionals seeking to advance their careers in industries at the frontline of science and technology advancements, such as information technology and telecommunications, environment, energy, health care, transportation and finance.

On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

1. Identify and define complex policy problems, and design original and innovative policy proposals to address them, demonstrating expertise in substantive policy area(s);
2. Select and apply the appropriate analytical tools to evaluate public policy proposals and to interpret and present the results of such analyses;
3. Generate strategies for the implementation of policy proposals, using knowledge of policy processes and institutions in diverse settings, including Hong Kong, China, and Europe and the United States; and
4. Effectively present and negotiate policy proposals with other professionals.

1. Minimum Credit Requirement

   48 credits 
    

2. Credit Transfer  

   Subject to the approval of the Program Director, students may apply for credit transfer or course substitution of no more than 12 credits.
    

3. Core Courses

24 credits
 

4. Elective Courses

24 credits

Students are required to take at least 18 credits of PPOL Electives and up to 6 credits of Other Electives.
 
i. PPOL Electives

ii. Other Electives

* For the highly technical course(s), students will be approved to take the course(s) with advice sought from the Program Director to cover both the policy and technical aspects.

Subject to the approval of the Program Director, a maximum of two postgraduate courses outside the above lists may be taken as Other Electives.

5. Remarks

• Students should take a minimum of 12 credits and up to a maximum of 15 credits of coursework per regular term.

Last update: 24 January 2019

Students are given an option to complete one of the following concentrations. Double-concentration is not allowed.

1. Environmental Policy Concentration

Students who opt for the Environmental Policy (EP) Concentration are required to take the following elective courses, including at least 18 credits of PPOL Electives and up to 6 credits of EP Concentration Electives, as part of the program requirements:
 
i. PPOL Electives

And at least 12 credits of the following courses:

ii. EP Concentration Electives

* For the highly technical course(s), students will be approved to take the course(s) with advice sought from the Program Director to construct a concentration that will cover both the policy and technical aspects of a particular area.

Subject to the approval of the Program Director, a maximum of two postgraduate courses outside the above lists may be taken as EP Concentration Electives.

2. Science and Technology Policy Concentration

Students who opt for the Science and Technology Policy (STP) Concentration are required to take the following elective courses, including at least 18 credits of PPOL Electives and up to 6 credits of STP Concentration Electives, as part of the program requirements:
 
i. PPOL Electives

And at least 12 credits of the following courses:

ii. STP Concentration Electives

* For the highly technical course(s), students will be approved to take the course(s) with advice sought from the Program Director to construct a concentration that will cover both the policy and technical aspects of a particular area.

Subject to the approval of the Program Director, a maximum of two postgraduate courses outside the above lists may be taken as STP Concentration Electives.

Last update: 24 January 2019

To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.