Master of Public Policy

Public policy is the field concerned with how governments and public institutions identify problems, design interventions and evaluate their outcomes across areas such as health, education, the economy, the environment and social welfare. The Master of Public Policy at University of Sharjah, based in Sharjah, introduces graduate students to the analytical and institutional tools used to study and shape policy decisions. Core subjects in this discipline typically include policy analysis, public administration, economics for policy, quantitative research methods, political institutions, governance and public sector management. Students learn to evaluate the costs, benefits and trade-offs of different policy options, to understand how policy is formed within governmental and institutional structures, and to assess the social and economic impact of public programs. Coursework often covers topics such as public finance, regulatory policy, social policy, international development and the role of non-governmental organizations, alongside training in data analysis and evidence-based policymaking. Students also examine case studies of policy successes and failures to understand the political, economic and social forces that shape outcomes. Because public policy work requires both rigorous analysis and practical understanding of how institutions operate, programs in the field combine theoretical study with applied projects that mirror real policy challenges faced by governments and public agencies. Graduates typically pursue careers in government ministries, public agencies, international organizations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations and the public affairs divisions of private companies, where they contribute to designing, implementing and evaluating policies that affect communities and economies. Delivered in English, the program is offered at University of Sharjah, based in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, and is accredited by the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation.