Program Details

The Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) at Christendom College seeks to form leaders capable of engaging public policy through the integration of rigorous analytical training, Catholic social teaching, and the enduring principles of political philosophy. The MPP advances Christendom’s educational mission to restore all things in Christ by extending its Catholic liberal arts tradition into graduate professional formation, equipping students with the philosophical, ethical, and practical tools necessary for service in public life, nonprofit leadership, education, and policy-related professions.

M.P.P. Courses

Tuition Information

M.P.P. Tuition: $650 per credit hour
Fees: Included in the cost of tuition

Christendom’s Center for Public Policy does not accept federal funding, and therefore students do not need to complete the FASFA form or apply for federal aid. CPP students who want to finance their degree may do so by applying for a student loan from Sallie Mae, PNC Bank, or College Ave.

Program Director

Dr. Matthew Post is a political philosopher and educational leader specializing in classical political thought, Catholic social teaching, and public leadership. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Philosophy from the University of Dallas and has held senior academic and administrative roles in the United States and Europe, including Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at the University of Tulsa and Associate Dean at the University of Dallas.

An award-winning teacher and widely published scholar, Dr. Post brings deep experience in constitutional studies, virtue ethics, and institutional leadership to the Master of Public Policy program, forming students for principled service in public life.

M.P.P. Course Descriptions

Each course is three credit hours.

Foundations of Political Philosophy (MPP 601)
This course explores the fundamental questions of political life, authority, justice, law, and the nature of the political community, through classical and Catholic sources, especially Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas. Students examine competing visions of the good regime and the ends of politics, developing a rigorous framework for public policy analysis rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition.
Catholic Social Teaching & Public Ethics (MPP 602)
This course introduces the major principles of Catholic social doctrine: human dignity, the common good, subsidiarity, and solidarity, examining how they inform ethical evaluation of contemporary public issues. Students learn to apply CST to policy questions involving family life, economic structures, bioethics, education, social welfare, and the proper role of the state, while comparing CST’s vision with dominant modern political and ideological frameworks.
The American Constitutional Order (MPP 603)
This course surveys the structure, principles, and historical development of the U.S. Constitution, examining how federalism, separation of powers, and judicial interpretation shape the formation, implementation, and limits of public policy. Students explore the constitutional foundations of American governance, assess debates surrounding the administrative state, and analyze how constitutional reasoning influences contemporary political and legal controversies.
Statistical & Quantitative Analysis for Public Policy (MPP 604)
This course equips students with the foundational statistical tools needed to interpret empirical research, assess the validity of quantitative claims, and conduct basic analyses relevant to public policy. Students learn how to evaluate data quality, understand causal inference, identify methodological weaknesses, and apply statistical reasoning to support or challenge policy proposals.
Policy Analysis: Frameworks & Methods (MPP 605)
This course introduces students to the primary analytical frameworks used to diagnose public problems, evaluate policy alternatives, and design feasible, evidence-based solutions. Emphasis is placed on understanding incentives, tradeoffs, implementation barriers, and the practical reasoning required to formulate sound policy recommendations across varied issue areas.
Policy Fields and Contemporary Challenges (MPP 606)
This course surveys major areas of contemporary public policy and examines the distinct analytical challenges each domain presents. Students apply policy frameworks to diverse sectors—education, family and social policy, technology, religious liberty, healthcare, and more—to understand how different normative, legal, cultural, and institutional factors shape policy design and implementation.
Applied Policy Design Seminar (MPP 607)
This seminar guides students through the full process of developing a professional-grade policy proposal that integrates empirical evidence, normative principles, and practical assessment. Students learn how to construct rigorous policy documents, evaluate implementation challenges, conduct feasibility analyses, and communicate recommendations effectively to decision-makers in governmental, nonprofit, and private-sector contexts.
Political Institutions & Public Leadership (MPP 608)
This course examines the structure and operation of major political institutions in the United States, and students analyze the rules that shape political behavior, the incentives embedded in institutions, the role of parties and interest groups, and the demands of prudent leadership within complex and often adversarial environments.
Political Strategy, Communication, and Public Narrative (MPP 609)
This course examines how political actors employ persuasion, rhetoric, strategic messaging, and narrative formation to influence public opinion, shape political behavior, and advance policy objectives. Students analyze the operation of media ecosystems, techniques of issue framing, methods of coalition-building, and the cultural power of narrative in constructing political identities and mobilizing civic engagement.
Statecraft & Policy Implementation (MPP 610)
This course analyzes the practical challenges involved in translating policy ideas into effective governance, emphasizing the institutional, legal, administrative, and political constraints that shape real-world outcomes. Students study strategies for implementation, negotiation, conflict management, and adaptive leadership while examining case studies of successful and unsuccessful policy execution across multiple sectors.

Two-Year Degree Cycle

TermCourse 1Course 2
Fall 1Foundations of Political Philosophy (MPP 601)Catholic Social Teaching & Public Ethics (MPP 602)
Spring 1The American Constitutional Order (MPP 603)Statistical & Quantitative Analysis for Public Policy (MPP 604)
Summer 1Policy Analysis: Frameworks & Methods (MPP 605)Policy Fields and Contemporary Challenges (MPP 606)
Fall 2Applied Policy Design Seminar (MPP 607)Political Institutions & Public Leadership (MPP 608)
Spring 2Political Strategy, Communication, and Public Narrative (MPP 609)Statecraft & Policy Implementation (MPP 610)
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