Master of Arts in Public Policy
Overview
Prepare to Serve the Public with Honor
Are you currently working in public service or thinking of transitioning to this career field? Our Helms School of Government offers the opportunity to prepare to pursue a career in public service by earning a Master of Arts in Public Policy (MAPP). Through this degree program, you can complete graduate-level training that is designed to help you impact the world by developing Christ-centered alumni who are political leaders, scholars, and policymakers. You can learn how to shape policy in governmental, legislative, political, communications, managerial, and academic areas.
Our experienced professors can guide you in qualitative and quantitative research on issues affecting local governmental organizations, international organizations, private entities, and local legislative bodies. You can study the impact of existing or proposed public policies on individuals, institutions, and American society. Your studies can help you develop the skills to shape public policy and be a positive force in the field of public service.
Credit Hours
View CoursesNext start date: Aug 18, 2025
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC
Highlights of Our Helms School of Government Degree Programs
Gain Hands-On Experience with an Internship
There are many opportunities to intern with organizations and agencies related to your degree, thanks to the special relationship and proximity to Washington, D.C.
Check out our Government Internship Opportunities page for more information!
Seek Membership in a Distinguished Honor Society
Join Liberty’s chapter of the only honor society for college and university government students in the United States.
Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies.
Surround Yourself with Like Minds
Our Helms School of Government, named after Senator Jesse Helms, was founded to promote the traditional values and conservative thoughts of our namesake.
Prepare for a Variety of Roles
Advocate for public policy, enact it, implement it or enforce it. Our Helms School of Government offers the chance to study and prepare to fill one or more of these roles with our degrees.
Career Potential
Potential Career Opportunities for Master of Arts in Public Policy Graduates
Liberty University’s Master of Arts in Public Policy can help prepare you to pursue the following occupations:
- City manager
- Diplomat
- Policy analyst
- Political consultant
- Politician
- Public administrator
Courses
What Will You Study in Our Master of Arts in Public Policy Degree?
Our Master of Arts in Public Policy can prepare you to pursue a career in public service through a variety of courses that focus on different aspects of public policy and governmental leadership. You can gain an understanding of the effects of economics on public policy and how the government can, in turn, affect our economy. Being aware of the ramifications of laws and rules put in place by the government is key in having a positive influence on society. Throughout this degree, you will study influential political philosophers and how their ideas have influenced the country.
The Helms School of Government has a mission to produce leaders who can affect the nation in both a positive and profound way. You can learn the principles of servant leadership and get some practical experience as well in order to further your understanding of the course content.
You will also study the role of America in global issues and how to determine sovereignty when it comes to international organizations that seek to have an influence on American policy both at home and abroad. Additionally, you will look at the influence Christianity has on the world and how we can negotiate competing worldviews with diplomacy and authority.
Featured Graduate Public Policy Courses
PPOG 502 – Economics and Public Policy
PPOG 503 – Political Philosophy
PPOG 504 – Leadership, Statesmanship, and Governance
PPOG 506 – Intro to Geopolitics and International Diplomacy
Degree Information
- Explore further with the Degree Completion Plan or Course Catalog.
- This program falls under our Helms School of Government.
- Required thesis
BENEFITS
Why Choose Liberty’s Master of Arts in Public Policy Degree?
Values-Based Public Policy Education
At Liberty, you can pursue graduate-level training in public policy with a strong foundation in Judeo-Christian principles.
The program emphasizes servant leadership and ethical governance, encouraging you to approach policy issues with integrity and purpose. This values-based approach can help you learn to examine complex political topics through a moral and philosophical lens as you prepare to engage with the public sector.
Opportunities for Practical and Experiential Learning
Liberty’s public policy program blends academic study with real-world application.
You can potentially engage in hands-on learning through research, campus initiatives, or other opportunities in nearby Washington, D.C. The university’s proximity to major governmental institutions supports your ability to gain insight into real policy environments while continuing your studies on campus.
Flexible Specialization Tracks
Whether you want to explore a broad scope of policy topics or focus on the research side of policymaking, you can choose a path that aligns with your interests. This flexibility can help you customize your educational experience.
Faculty Expertise and Mission-Driven Instruction
Liberty’s faculty bring both academic and field experience into the classroom to guide your development as a thoughtful policy professional.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore topics like governance, economic impact, political philosophy, and international diplomacy – all within the context of shaping public policy for the common good. The program’s mission to prepare Christ-centered leaders underscores a commitment to both intellectual growth and civic responsibility.
Tuition & Aid
How Much Does it Cost to Attend Liberty On Campus?
Knowing up-front what you’re paying for and why can go a long way toward making you feel comfortable about your investment. This overview of major college costs can give you an idea of what’s coming so you can create an accurate budget from the start.
All Tuition & Aid
| Per Credit Hour | $560 |
#4 Best College Campus in America
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education designed to help equip students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com.
Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Specializations
Public Policy Graduate Degree Specializations
Check out the specializations available in Liberty’s MAPP program.
Specializations
General*
Think Tank and Policy Research
Admissions
How Do You Become a Graduate Public Policy Student?
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official transcripts showing a regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA for admission in good standing
- Self-certification form (for students who are in the final term of their bachelor’s degree)
- Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a graduate program must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account
Have Questions?
We’ll make sure you have the information you need to take your next step.