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. It provides students with complete professional training that focuses on problem-solving skills with real-world cases and examples, such as information technology and telecommunications, environment, energy, health care, transportation and finance.

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.

MPP also offers the option of dual degree program under which qualified MPP students will have the opportunity to spend a year studying at the Evans Schools of Public Policy and Governance, the University of Washington (University of Washington), and earn both the Master of Public Policy (MPP) from HKUST and the Global Master of Public Administration (GMPA) from University of Washington.

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.

Learning Outcomes

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

• Adopt interdisciplinary perspectives on global policy challenges and innovative solutions;
• Competently apply appropriate analytical tools for problem-solving in the real world;
• Establish and employ professional expertise in specialization areas of their choices;
• Develop and apply managerial acumen essential for future leaders in public and private sectors.

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

• Environmental Policy Concentration
• Science and Technology Policy Concentration

• Environmental Policy Concentration
• Science and Technology Policy Concentration