Overview

The Policy, Planning, and Management (Online) programme at the University of Southern Maine provides students with the essential multi-disciplinary skills required to lead in public service. This MPPM degree focuses on conceptual learning while addressing contemporary challenges in policy and urban development. Students benefit from a flexible digital environment designed for working professionals.

Why Policy, Planning, and Management (Online) at the University of Southern Maine?

The University of Southern Maine offers this programme through the Muskie School of Public Service, ensuring a high standard of academic rigour. Students receive the e-tuition rate regardless of their location, making the degree highly accessible. The faculty includes experts with terminal degrees and practitioners currently active in local, state, and federal government roles.

Learners can customise their education by choosing concentrations in Planning and Sustainability or Public Policy and Public/Nonprofit Management. The programme also provides robust experiential learning opportunities, including research with the Catherine Cutler Institute and internships in town management or food policy. Support services include one-on-one career advising and dedicated writing assistants.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 526 per credit
National fee: USD 526 per credit
Local fee: USD 526 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours designed to build foundational knowledge in public service. Modules may include:

Applied Research and Evaluation Methods
Community Planning and Sustainable Development
Policy Analysis
Public and Nonprofit Management
Applied Geographic Information Systems
Planning and Sustainability

Careers with Policy, Planning, and Management (Online)

Graduates of the MPPM programme are prepared for advanced professional leadership roles across various public service settings. The degree is specifically designed for those aspiring to become managers, urban planners, researchers, or policy analysts. Many alumni find successful careers within all levels of government, as well as in community organisations and the nonprofit sector. The skills gained in advocacy and management allow graduates to influence public policy and lead sustainable community initiatives effectively.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Economics for Policy and Planning

Leading Resiliency in Times of Change

Sustainable Communities

Applied Data Analysis and Statistics

Organizational Leadership
Governance, Democracy, and Public Policy

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months
Part-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-01-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-15 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2026-10-15 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-05-19 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-15 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-06-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

36 SCH

Delivered

Online

Campus Location

Gorham, United States

Disciplines

Management Studies Public Policy Urban Planning View 551 other Masters in Management Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Provide financial documentation that shows you are able to support educational and living costs.
Pay the US $50 application fee (except Canadian applicants).
Submit an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by one of the following transcript analysis agencies:
National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)
Evaluations must be course-by-course and provide verification that the degree you hold is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the United States
NOTE: Some universities in Canada are exempt

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

9468 USD / year

≈ 9468 USD / year
Out-of-State

9468 USD / year

≈ 9468 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

9468 USD / year

≈ 9468 USD / year

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Policy, Planning, and Management (Online).

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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