Program Planning

Use these resources to plan your semester and map out your path to graduation. Course offerings lists are not exhaustive and should always be cross-referenced with the UNM Schedule of Classes for the most current and complete information. If you find a course outside the listed offerings that interests you and fits your program plan, contact MPP Director Michael Rocca at msrocca@unm.edu for approval before enrolling.


MPP Handbook


Course Offerings


Planning Tools


Sample Road Maps

The MPP can be completed on a full-time or part-time schedule. Below are two sample road maps — one for students completing the program in two years, and one for students taking a more flexible three-year path. Both are examples only. Your actual plan will be developed with your faculty advisor and may differ based on your background, interests, and course availability.

Two-Year Plan (Full-Time)

Approximately 3 courses per semester. Best suited for students who can commit to full-time graduate study.

Year 1 — FallTypeCreditsYear 1 — SpringTypeCredits
Policy Seminar (PUBP 501)Seminar3Policy Seminar (PUBP 501)Seminar3
Quantitative Methods ICore3Public Economics (ECON 350)Core3
Organizational BehaviorCore3Political ContextCore3
ECON 300* (prerequisite)Pre-req3DiversityCore3
Total Credits: 12 | MPP Credits: 9Total Credits: 12 | Cumulative MPP Credits: 21
Summer (optional — offerings vary)TypeCredits
Elective (confirm availability with your advisor)Elective3
Cumulative MPP Credits: 24
Year 2 — FallTypeCreditsYear 2 — SpringTypeCredits
Evaluation Lab I (PUBP 502)Lab3Evaluation Lab II (PUBP 502)Lab3
Quantitative Methods IICore3Policy Seminar (PUBP 501)Seminar1
Financial ManagementCore3ElectiveElective3
ElectiveElective3
Total Credits: 12 | Cumulative MPP Credits: 36Total Credits: 7 | Cumulative MPP Credits: 43

*ECON 300 is the prerequisite for ECON 350 (Public Economics). It does not count toward your 43 MPP credits. No other core courses have prerequisites.


Three-Year Plan (Part-Time)

Approximately 2 courses per semester. Best suited for working professionals balancing graduate study with other commitments. The Policy Seminar is required in Year 1. The Evaluation Lab can be taken in Year 2 or Year 3 depending on your schedule and readiness.

Year 1 — FallTypeCreditsYear 1 — SpringTypeCredits
Policy Seminar (PUBP 501)Seminar3Policy Seminar (PUBP 501)Seminar3
Quantitative Methods ICore3Organizational BehaviorCore3
ECON 300* (prerequisite)Pre-req3
Total Credits: 9 | MPP Credits: 6Total Credits: 6 | Cumulative MPP Credits: 12
Summer (optional — offerings vary)TypeCredits
Elective (confirm availability with your advisor)Elective3
Cumulative MPP Credits: 15
Year 2 — FallTypeCreditsYear 2 — SpringTypeCredits
Quantitative Methods IICore3Public Economics (ECON 350)Core3
Evaluation Lab I (PUBP 502)**Lab3Evaluation Lab II (PUBP 502)**Lab3
Total Credits: 6 | Cumulative MPP Credits: 21Total Credits: 6 | Cumulative MPP Credits: 27
Year 3 — FallTypeCreditsYear 3 — SpringTypeCredits
Financial ManagementCore3Policy Seminar (PUBP 501)Seminar1
DiversityCore3ElectiveElective3
Political ContextCore3ElectiveElective3
Total Credits: 9 | Cumulative MPP Credits: 36Total Credits: 7 | Cumulative MPP Credits: 43

*ECON 300 is the prerequisite for ECON 350 (Public Economics). It does not count toward your 43 MPP credits. No other core courses have prerequisites.

**The Evaluation Lab can be taken in Year 2 or Year 3 depending on your schedule and readiness. Discuss timing with your faculty advisor.