Introduction
MPP programs in the State of Tennessee equip students with the skills needed to perform well in public service jobs offered in the state. MPP graduates can pursue jobs in state and local government, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, or the private sector.
A Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) degree is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for shaping effective policies and addressing critical social issues. Students in an MPP program focus on analyzing and creating policies related to areas such as education, healthcare, the environment, and public safety, among others.
Key State Takeaways:
- Total MPP Programs Statewide: 2
- NASPAA-Accredited Programs: 0
- Annual Resident Tuition Average: $30,460 (TTL)
- Annual Non-Resident Tuition Average: $44,900 (TTL)
- Program Formats Offered: On-campus
- Average Starting Salary: $60,000-$65,000
MPP Programs in Tennessee
While Tennessee doesn’t have any NASPAA-accredited MPP programs, several of the state’s top universities offer strong programs that adhere to many of the same standards. The lack of NASPAA accreditation should not deter prospective students because many of these programs collaborate with local and state government entities, providing students access to real-world projects and networking opportunities. Their faculty often includes seasoned professionals with extensive experience in policy implementation, ensuring that students receive a comprehensive education that prepares them for the workforce:
University of Tennessee – Knoxville
- Knoxville, TN.
- 36-39 Credit Hours
- Campus + Hybrid
Program:
Masters of Public Policy (MPP)
Program Overview:
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) Master of Public Policy (MPP) is offered by Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs. The program is designed to equip students with analytical and ethical tools to become effective policy analysts, decision makers, and leaders across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. With a 36-credit-hour structure that includes an internship and a “Master Class” capstone experience, the program emphasizes applied policy work, data-analysis skills, and real-world engagement in a setting rich with public-policy networks.
Unique Components:
- Compact 36-credit structure with strong applied focus. The MPP degree requires 36 graduate credit hours, and includes a required internship plus a required “Master Class” experience rather than a traditional thesis.
- Multidisciplinary concentrations for specialization. Students select a 9-credit concentration in areas such as Agricultural & Environmental Policy, Economic & Community Development, Energy Policy, Health Policy, Public Management, and Policy Analytics.
- Dual- and accelerated-degree bridge options. The Baker School offers accelerated “4+1” tracks for undergraduates and a dual JD / MPP option with the law school, enabling students to complete both in an integrated timeline.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus, hybrid
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Credit Hours: 36-39
- GRE: Not required
- Resident Tuition: $13,720 (PYR)
- Non-Resident Tuition: $32,208 (PYR)
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Enrollment: N/A
Other Considerations:
- Rich policy-lab and practitioner ecosystem. The program is embedded in UTK’s public-policy environment, leveraging its connections to state agencies, regional policy organizations, and research institutions (e.g., the Howard H. Baker Center).
Vanderbilt University
- Nashville, TN.
- 36 Credit Hours
- Online + Campus + Hybrid
Program:
Masters of Public Policy (MPP)
Program Overview:
The MPP in Education Policy at the Peabody College of Education & Human Development (part of Vanderbilt University) is designed for individuals who wish to play a significant role in shaping the education system at the district, state, national or international level. The program blends rigorous analytic and quantitative skills (policy core, data analysis, evaluation) with practical experiences including a field-based practicum and a policy portfolio to prepare graduates to be practitioners of policy change rather than solely researchers.
Unique Components:
- Education-policy specialization. Unlike many generalist MPP programs, Vanderbilt’s version is explicitly concentrated on education policy (with tracks in K-12 Policy, Higher Education Policy and Quantitative Methods in Education Policy).
- Flexible pace and delivery. Students can complete the 36-credit (or “36-hour”) program in approximately two years full-time, or accelerate through summer/online options and finish in about one year. Evening and some weekend classes accommodate working professionals.
- Field-based practicum + portfolio. The curriculum requires a practicum in which students apply their learning to a real-world policy challenge, followed by a policy-writing portfolio approved by faculty, anchoring the degree in applied practice.
Key Data Highlights:
- Format: On-campus, online, hybrid
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
- Credit Hours: 36
- GRE: Not required
- Tuition: $2,405 (PCH)
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Enrollment: 25 students
Other Considerations:
- Strong analytic and quantitative foundations. The methods sequence (e.g., research design, data analysis, regression, causal inference) in the “Quantitative Methods” track is especially strong, equipping graduates for roles requiring advanced policy analytics.
- Joint degree options. The program offers dual-degree paths such as JD/MPP (with the law school) and MPP/MBA (with the Owen Graduate School of Management), useful for students seeking interdisciplinary policy plus law or business.
Career Outlook
A Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) degree provides graduates with the skills and knowledge to address critical issues facing the state of Tennessee, such as healthcare reform, education, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Tennessee’s unique blend of urban centers like Nashville and Memphis, combined with its rural regions, creates diverse policy challenges and opportunities for MPP graduates. Below is a list of jobs unique to Tennessee that MPP graduates may pursue:
- State Policy Analyst at the Tennessee State Capitol
Job Description: Policy Analysts at the Tennessee State Capitol are responsible for providing research, analysis, and recommendations to legislators on various public policy issues affecting the state. These analysts work closely with state senators and representatives to evaluate proposed bills, draft policy briefs, and provide data-driven insights into the potential impacts of legislative actions. Common issues include education policy and economic development. - Economic Development Coordinator at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Job Description: Economic Development Coordinators work to attract and retain businesses in Tennessee, ensuring sustainable economic growth and job creation. They collaborate with local government officials, business leaders, and community organizations to design and implement policies that foster business expansion, infrastructure development, and regional economic competitiveness. - Healthcare Policy Analyst at the Tennessee Department of Health
Job Description: Tennessee faces unique healthcare challenges, including rural healthcare access and the state’s Medicaid expansion debates. Healthcare Policy Analysts research and analyze policies to improve public health outcomes, assess the effectiveness of healthcare programs, and develop strategies to address disparities in care. - Transportation Policy Advisor for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)
Job Description: Transportation Policy Advisors at TDOT help shape the state’s infrastructure development, focusing on improving roads, bridges, and public transit systems. With Tennessee’s growing population and heavy traffic congestion, policy advisors focus on long-term planning, sustainable transportation solutions, and regional mobility to ensure safe, efficient travel. - Education Policy Analyst at the Tennessee Department of Education
Job Description: Education Policy Analysts in Tennessee work on evaluating, developing, and recommending policies aimed at improving public education. This role includes research on issues such as K-12 education funding, teacher recruitment and retention, and public school accountability. - Environmental Policy Coordinator at the Tennessee Environmental Council
Job Description: Environmental Policy Coordinators help create and implement policies to protect Tennessee’s natural resources, including its rivers, forests, and wildlife. They analyze the state’s environmental policies, advocate for sustainability initiatives, and work on programs related to pollution control, energy efficiency, and land use. - Criminal Justice Policy Analyst at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI)
Job Description: Criminal Justice Policy Analysts at TBI assess and develop policies related to law enforcement practices, public safety, and the justice system. They examine criminal justice data, analyze trends in crime, and offer policy solutions to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement and judicial systems in Tennessee. This role often focuses on addressing issues like criminal justice reform, prison overcrowding, and community policing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What’s the difference between an MPP and an MPA?
A: The Master of Public Policy (MPP) focuses primarily on policy design, analysis, and evaluation—helping students understand how laws and programs affect communities and how to make them more effective. In contrast, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) emphasizes public management, budgeting, and organizational leadership. MPP graduates often work in research and advisory roles, while MPA graduates tend to manage agencies, programs, or nonprofits.
Q: What types of courses and skills will I gain in a Tennessee MPP program?
A: MPP students in Tennessee develop skills in data analysis, policy evaluation, economics, ethics, and communication. Coursework typically combines public affairs theory with quantitative methods and real-world case studies. Students also strengthen their ability to write policy briefs, conduct program evaluations, and interpret statistical data for decision-makers.
Q: What career opportunities are available to MPP graduates in Tennessee?
A: Graduates can pursue careers as policy analysts, legislative researchers, nonprofit leaders, or economic development specialists. Many find employment with state agencies like the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Tennessee Department of Health, and Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR). Others work in think tanks, local government offices, or national policy organizations with offices in Nashville.
Q: Are MPP or related programs in Tennessee available online or part-time?
A: While the University of Tennessee’s MPP is primarily offered on campus, many related programs in Tennessee provide flexible options. Tennessee State University’s MPA and Vanderbilt’s graduate programs in education and public policy offer hybrid and evening classes designed for working professionals.
Q: What is it like living and studying in Tennessee as a graduate student?
A: Tennessee offers a welcoming environment with affordable living costs and dynamic cities. Students enjoy the culture and music of Nashville, the natural beauty of Knoxville’s Smoky Mountains, and the community feel of Memphis and Chattanooga. The state’s mix of urban and rural areas provides real-world policy learning opportunities, from healthcare and infrastructure to economic and environmental planning.
Q: How do students in Tennessee MPP programs gain hands-on policy experience?
A: MPP programs in Tennessee emphasize applied learning through internships, research assistantships, and policy workshops. Students frequently collaborate with local and state governments, nonprofit organizations, or university-based research centers like UT’s Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, engaging in projects that address current policy issues in Tennessee and beyond.