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"The urban policy program celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2011. Cities have changed in many ways since the program started in 1971—in the structure of their economy, the diversity of their populations, the role of nonprofit organizations, and the emergence of new crises, such as homelessness and HIV/AIDS, to name just some examples. Milano's urban policy program has also changed in fundamental ways since its founding. Two things have remained constant: the program's heavy emphasis on experiential learning in which students address policy and management issues for clients in the public and nonprofit sectors, and the program's steadfast focus on social justice." —Alex Schwartz, Associate Professor and Chair of Policy Programs

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"...A fusion of theory and practice..."

"After the Peace Corps, I applied to maybe five different graduate programs. I chose Milano because I was attracted to the fusion of theory and practice they offered. It's not just a bunch of lectures—in our Lab classes we're doing research, putting together analyses, and presenting findings to actual clients. This round, for instance, we're working with the City Council's Committee on Immigration. You learn as much from your classmates at Milano as you do from the teachers. It's a mix of private, public, and nonprofit sector people who add their own color and insight to our group work."

—Francisco Ruiz,
Urban Policy Analysis and Management Program

Improving Quality of Life for Urban Communities

The Urban Policy Analysis and Management program trains professionals and managers committed to improving the quality of life for urban communities and their residents. It was one of the first programs of its kind in the country.

The program prepares students for a wide range of jobs in the public and nonprofit sectors that involve the development, assessment, and implementation of urban policies and programs. Graduates work as policy analysts in governmental agencies, as administrators of government programs, and as program managers and executives at nonprofit organizations. Find out more about alumni careers from our most recent alumni survey (PDF).

The flexible curriculum can be tailored to the interests and needs of individual students. The core curriculum emphasizes

• Applied, client-centered courses, in which students work on policy or management issues for government officials and nonprofit executives
• A solid foundation in and critical assessment of the traditional techniques of policy analysis
• Systematic exposure to alternative theoretical and political perspectives

Beyond the core curriculum, students can specialize in housing and community development, economic and workforce development, social policy, or finance for community and economic development.

Curriculum

Overview

The centerpiece of the Urban Policy Analysis and Management program is an experiential curriculum designed to give students a sound foundation in the theory, techniques, and practice of the profession. Using a variety of instructional approaches, including case analyses, computer-based problem sets, and actual policy and management problems posed by public officials and nonprofit executives, the program introduces students with the settings and problems they are likely to face as professional analysts and managers.

To fulfill the master of science degree requirement of 42 credits, each student creates a program with two components:

• The required program core (27 credits)

• Five electives, including one international or cross-cultural course (15 credits)

Core Courses (Required)

The Urban Policy Analysis and Management master's program is built around a core of eight courses (27 credits) through which students develop the intellectual and technical foundations and values of the profession.

• Public Management
• Policy Analysis
• Economics for Management and Public Policy 
• Quantitative Methods 
• Political Economy of the City   
• Laboratory in Issue Analysis (6 credits)
• Public Finance and Fiscal Management
• Advanced Seminar in Urban Policy Analysis and Management

Required Internship

To supplement the knowledge gained in their courses, full-time students and career changers without previous experience in the field of urban policy analysis are required to complete a noncredit internship during the summer between their first and second years of study. Internships are arranged through the Milano School's Office of Career Development and Placement. They typically provide intensive involvement with professionals in actual work settings in appropriate agencies and firms, which helps students sharpen their abilities and build confidence in their professional potential. Most internships offer a stipend. Many lead to valuable contacts for future employment.

Electives

To complete the master of science program, students expand their substantive and functional expertise in policy and management by taking five elective courses chosen in consultation with an academic advisor. Electives may be selected from a wide range of courses offered by the Urban Policy program, other Milano school programs, and other graduate programs of the university.