The Hobby School cares deeply about the education of our students. To help assess the success of our students’ learning and competencies, we use the following Learning Goals as a guide that are developed by Master of Public Policy (MPP) faculty in accordance with accreditation requirements of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).  Student learning is assessed in several of the MPP courses through a systematic process.  The assessment results are reviewed annually by the MPP faculty and recommendations are made for improvement, which may result in curricular or other program changes. 

The learning goals for the Master of Public Policy are driven by the program’s mission in accordance with NASPAA accreditation requirements:

The University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs Master of Public Policy will actively prepare graduates for professions by providing a leading-edge education encompassing policy and political analysis, ethics, quantitative analysis, and the development and implementation of leadership skills with a focus on real-world solutions. Students will be prepared through in-class education and meaningful experiential learning opportunities in the diverse city of Houston and beyond.  Our students will demonstrate integrity, cross-disciplinary competence, strong communication skills and professionalism.

There are seven learning goals—goals 1-5 are universal competencies required by NASPAA and 6-7 are mission-specific competencies based upon the Hobby School’s MPP mission.

1. Hobby MPP students will be able to navigate through organizations that have diverse leadership styles and management practices.

2. Hobby MPP students will be able to actively contribute to policy development in a public service organization. 

3. Hobby MPP students will be able to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions in a public service organization.

4. Hobby MPP students will be able to articulate and apply public service perspectives in an organization.

5. Hobby MPP students will be able to communicate in both verbal and written forms to a diverse audience in a public service organization.

6. Hobby MPP students will be able to conduct advanced quantitative analysis to solve problems and inform decision making in a public service organization.

7. Hobby MPP students will be able to conduct themselves in an ethical, values-based professional manner in a public service organization.