MPP Program Fact Sheet

MPP Student Handbook

How to Apply

MASTER IN PUBLIC POLICY

Master in Public Policy (MPP) is a two-year full-time program launched in 2013. 

The mission of MPP program is to prepare a new generation of progressive policy professionals to provide efficient, effective, sustainable and reliable public service at national and international levels.

MPP students can choose to specialize in one of 3 tracks (economic policy, international political economy or public governance) to enhance their career prospects.

Program Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the program, graduates will have the ability to:

  1. Lead and manage in public governance;
  2. Participate in and contribute to the policy process;
  3. Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions;
  4. Articulate and apply a public service perspective; and
  5. Communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.

Professional competency: In addition, the program will ensure that students learn to apply their education, such as through experiential exercises and interactions with practitioners across the broad range of public affairs, administration, and policy professions and sectors.

The program structure includes the following key components:

  1. Orientation Week. It is the first week in MPP program. The purpose is to prepare students for the program, and forge bonds among them as classmates. Before arriving for the Orientation Week, students must have submitted all required documents and have completed any pre-assigned work.
  2. Core Courses – courses that all students are required to complete within the program.
  3. Elective Courses – courses that MPP program students can select from among alternatives. Elective courses are subject to change as they are based on students’ interests/preferences, faculty availability and program design.
  4. Policy Analysis Exercise (PAE) with Overseas Component

The PAE, a capstone project, is a public policy study, normally completed for a client or target organization. It requires students to define and analyze an actual public policy issue so that the students develop confidence and competence in meeting the professional demands they will subsequently face. In completing the PAE, students must be prepared to define and structure the problem, organize data, define, and carry out analyses of the issue and conclude with specific action recommendations as part of a clear and persuasive written report. 

Overseas Component (currently in Singapore) normally takes place at the end of the first academic year (Summer semester), where students learn about Singapore’s approaches in long-term urban planning and economic development through lectures and learning journeys, reflect on the lessons learnt, and whether/how they could be applied or adapted to the context of Kazakhstan. This can be particularly useful for students who are working on their PAE projects.

Funding Opportunities

Admission to the MPP program is merit-based. Distribution of all types of scholarships is carried out based on the competition.

NU offers the following funding options:

  • Government funding: the Nazarbayev University educational grant (Government-funded scholarship) is available for most of the candidates. 98% of Nazarbayev University students are funded by the Government which covers full tuition fees and a monthly stipend. Government-funded scholarship is not offered to applicants who previously received the same degree under the state educational order or under the Bolashak international scholarship. This scholarship is also not available for the applicants who previously studied at Nazarbayev University and had been dismissed for disciplinary reasons. The number of grants is annually approved by the Governmental Decree of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
  • “Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship: “Abay Kunanbayev” scholarship is named after Abay Kunanbayev (1845-1904) a Kazakh poet, a great thinker, composer, philosopher, the founder of the Kazakh written literature. This scholarship is specifically designed for foreign citizens and persons without citizenship and awarded on a competitive basis. This scholarship is funded by Nazarbayev University and covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend and basic medical insurance. The scholarship is provided for an entire period of the specified program. Number of scholarships is annually approved by Nazarbayev University.
  • Fee-paying education and partial scholarships: admission to a fee-paying education is available to candidates who meet all admission requirements, are recommended for admission but due to low ranking didn’t receive any grant/scholarship mentioned above. Number of seats for a fee-paying education is approved annually by the Nazarbayev University depending on the capacity of the Schools. Certain categories of candidates enrolled on a fee-paying basis can be provided with a scholarship, which covers from 50% to 100% of the tuition costs (partial scholarship). For more information about these categories please visit this web-pag.

 

MASTER IN PUBLIC POLICY CURRICULUM

The core curriculum focuses on quantitative skills and analysis, economics, data analytics, political science, public management and leadership.

MPP students may opt for an internship instead of one elective. The total number of credits in the program is 120 ECTS.

MPP curriculum*

Year 1: Semester 1

Module

ECTS Credits

MPP 601 – Microeconomics and Public Policy

8

MPP 611 – Statistics for Public Policy

8

MPP 621 – Public Policy and Analysis

8

MPP 613 – Policy Research Design and Methods

8

SEMESTER SUBTOTAL:

32

Year 1: Semester 2

Module

ECTS Credits

MPP 602 – Macroeconomics and Public Policy

8

MPP 603 – Data Analytics in Public Policy

8

MPP 641 – Public Management and Leadership

8

MPP 699 – PAE with Overseas Component (I)

0

Elective 1

8

SEMESTER SUBTOTAL:

32

Year 1: Semester 3 (Summer)

MPP 699 – PAE with Overseas Component (II)

0

Internship (taken in Semester 3 or 5)

 [8]

SEMESTER SUBTOTAL:

[8]

Year 2: Semester 4

Module

ECTS Credits

MPP 631 – Politics and Public Policy

8

Elective 2

8

Elective 3

8

MPP 699 – PAE with Overseas Component (III)

0

SEMESTER SUBTOTAL:

24

Year 2: Semester 5

Module

ECTS Credits

Elective 4

8

Elective 5 or Internship

[8]

MPP 699 – PAE with Overseas Component (IV)

16

SEMESTER SUBTOTAL:

32

TOTAL

120

*Order of the modules can be reconsidered by the School

THE LIST OF CORE MODULES

MPP 601 – Microeconomics and Public Policy

The module is designed to develop an appreciation of how microeconomics concepts and tools can be utilized to analyze public policy issues. It covers traditional microeconomics topics, such as theory of consumer behavior, choice under uncertainty, and behavior of firm under various market structures. Economic theory is applied to a wide range of policy issues. The module emphasizes application rather than exclusively theoretical concepts.

MPP 611 – Statistics for Public Policy

This module provides students with a solid grounding in quantitative techniques used to analyze public policy. The major topics covered are: sampling and survey design, linear regression and the classical model, model building for regression analysis, multiple regression analysis, time series analysis and forecasting, and dummy dependent variable models. At the end of the course students will be expected to use advanced statistical tools case studies based on the real world of public policy and draw appropriate policy conclusions.

MPP 621 – Public Policy and Analysis

This module is an introduction to the public policy process, and intended for the beginner policy analysts. It considers a number of fundamental questions including: 1) rationale for collective interference in private affairs; 2) limitations to collective action; 3) generic instruments of public policy; 4) how can social costs and benefits be measured; and 5) what are the appropriate roles of policy analysts in democratic and developing societies.

MPP 602 – Macroeconomics and Public Policy

This module examines the essential features of key macroeconomic policy instruments used in the attainment of policy objectives such as full employment, price stability, and economic growth. Short-term policy tools such as monetary and/or exchange rate policy, government expenditure and levy policy, and, wages and foreign labor policy will be examined. Longer-term policies such as saving and investment policy, ways of achieving international competitiveness, human resource policy and policies aimed at promoting economic growth and factor productivity will also be covered.

MPP 603 – Data Analytics in Public Policy

The module will teach students to apply data analytical knowledge to examine models explaining public policy and public administration issues. It will provide knowledge of data analytics relating to how to set up various models (linear or limited dependents) including moderators or mediators. In addition, it covers heteroscedasticity, serial correlation, or endogeneity problems with various remedies including IVs approach or Panel methods. Also, Big Data (text or data) analysis and factor analysis based on Structural Equations Model (SEM) will be dealt with.  During the semester, students will learn and practice how to code mainly Stata as well as R or Python, if necessary, so as to conduct empirical analysis on their own research questions.

MPP 613 – Policy Research Design and Methods

This module is the first of a set of two Research Method modules and provides an introduction to the design of research studies in applied public policy settings. The design and implementation of research studies is contextualized in current policy issues and takes into account the practical constraints of the real world. Topics covered include sampling methods, both quantitative and qualitative; focus groups; experimental and quasi-experimental designs; data analysis; and research report writing. The quality of the research will be discussed, including the soundness of the design, methods of data collection, methods of data analysis, and the feasibility of the conclusions drawn from evidence.

MPP 641 – Public Management and Leadership

This module introduces students to key theoretical concepts and practices of public management and leadership in a cross-institutional and cross-border manner such as public management and its public values, leadership styles, managing civic engagement, managing e-government policies, performance indicators and benchmarking, open government and transparency of public decision making, line management, managing intergovernmental relations, key elements of good and ethical governance, managing collaborative government and the role of various stakeholders in the process, etc. In this connection, this module provides the conceptual and empirical playground to learn of how to deal with a wide range of managerial challenges in those areas. Upon completion of the module, students will understand better theoretical concepts and examine their applicability in real-world practices. As such related case studies and class discussions are used extensively throughout the module to ensure that students are able to link theory and practice.

MPP 631 – Politics and Public Policy

This module addresses the question, ‘Regarding the political world, what do we need to know in order to have a critical understanding of the rationale, mechanics, and prospects of policy making in the modern world?’ The first part of the module explores the institutions, practices, cultures, interests, and actors of modern political systems, whereas the second part focuses on modern political theories and ideologies that have conditioned the possibilities and limitations of policymaking. Cases and examples will be drawn primarily from Asian experience but discussed in comparison with appropriate cases and examples from elsewhere.

MPP 699 – Policy Analysis Exercise with Overseas Component

The PAE is a public policy or management study, completed for a client or a target organization (where possible). It is, in essence, the applied version of the traditionally theoretical Master thesis. It requires each student to define and analyze an actual policy issue. In doing this, students develop confidence and competence in meeting the professional demands they will subsequently face. In completing the PAE, students must be prepared to define and structure the problem, organize data, define and carry out analyses of the issue and conclude with specific action recommendations as part of a clear and persuasive written report.

A complete list of courses, including electives, can be found on the Registrar’s website.