The core curriculum consists of six (3-credit) courses and two new (1.5-credit) courses in leadership.

First-year core courses are foundational to the program.  They introduce students to concepts of leadership and strengthen their understanding of the role of government and the nature of policy-making. As well they enhance students analytical and research skills. 

Second-year core course build on the first-year curriculum and include courses in policy analysis and management.

A final “capstone” in the third-year fall term (only) is an integrative group project in which students apply their leadership and skills to the analysis, development and implementation of a policy response to a real-world problem with policy leaders.

In addition, PMPA students complete three (3) elective courses, one in their first summer term and two in their second summer term, selected from a rotating list of courses in substance policy and management fields.

The PMPA class schedule allows participants to combine full-time professional responsibilities with part-time graduate studies. Classes are held on one Friday and Saturday each month from September to April and for one week—Monday to Friday—in each of May and June. Electronic technologies facilitate research as well as ongoing communication among faculty and students between on-campus sessions.