Great
Scholars Prepare
Great Policy Leaders

Welcome to the Pepperdine School of Public Policy

As one of America's few graduate public policy schools rooted in a Judeo-Christian understanding of servant leadership, the Pepperdine School of Public Policy firmly believes that there is a calling to public service—one that can be fulfilled through meaningful careers in government, at all levels, as well as the policy-related business and nonprofit sectors. Taught by an impressive faculty of leading scholars, the school's distinctive liberal arts curriculum balances a rigorous study of philosophy and history with the latest skills of quantitative economics and policy analysis. Both inside and outside our classroom, our students experience our commitment to viewpoint diversity, seeing policy debates from both sides of the aisle as a unique way of preparing servant leaders.

Upcoming Deadlines

Dec

MMEPS Early Decision Deadline - Decision by January 16, 2026

Feb

MPP Priority Deadline - $3,000 Guaranteed Scholarship

Feb

MMEPS Final Application Deadline - Decision by March 1, 2026

Mar

MPP Regular Deadline - $1,000 Guaranteed Scholarship

See Full Admission Deadline Calendar

Request Information

First Name

Last Name

Select a Program

Term of Interest

Country For Mobile Phone

Mobile Phone

Do not add your country code prefix

Optional Mobile Messaging

Standard Text MessagingWhatsAppOpt into mobile messaging

View Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Yes, I agree.By selecting YES, you agree to receive text messages from Pepperdine University related to Student Engagement, Updates, and Reminders. Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel.

Quick Facts

At Pepperdine University we believe in cross sector leadership where individuals can make a significant impact in the world and that a Master of Public Policy can be the first step.

44%Employed in the public sector
25%Employed in the private sector
19%Employed in the nonprofit sector
13%Post graduate / doctoral studies

89% of the Class of 2025 are fully employed or have advanced to further education.

Learn More

Initiatives

Davenport students in discussion — Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership

The Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership works with local governments, non-profit organizations, and residents to both promote and support constructive and broad-based civic involvement. We impact decisions that affect people where they live and work.

city buildings — Alternative Viewpoints on
California Policy

Alternate Viewpoints on California Policy is a research initiative of the Pepperdine School of Public Policy in partnership with the respected California-based economic research firm, Beacon Economics. Through the collaboration on a series of white papers, the Beacon Economics' team and the School of Public Policy's academic researchers and graduate students will explore vital California policy issues and debates from a different perspective in the hopes of driving balanced debates."

Energy Lab
Grand Strategy Lab
Viewpoint Diversity
Academic Research

Energy Lab

The Energy, Environmental, and Economics Policy Lab aims to integrate the core principles of the School of Public Policy's philosophy of public policy with fact-based assessment of energy and environmental challenges. The program seeks to apply the perspective of limited constitutional government, free market economics, technology, and decentralized decision making as a complement or alternative to centralized government regulation. The Lab aims to produce original research especially on California energy and environmental policy, since California has long been a leading policy incubator in this field and engage students through specialized courses and study tours.

Grand Strategy Lab

The Grand Strategy Lab is an academic and policy hub for students, faculty, policymakers, and statesmen engaged in matters of war, peace, cooperation, and discord among state and non-state actors. It fosters cutting-edge international security research and symposia, guided by applied history and policy analysis.

Viewpoint Diversity

Preparing public leaders to consider and understand a diverse range of ideological perspectives.

To say that academia is politically progressive is a generally accepted fact of American life. But for a graduate policy program tasked with preparing our next generation of public leaders, it is of primary importance that we practice viewpoint diversity both inside and outside the classroom. In today's polarized public square, leaders must know not only their own intellectual foundations, but also those with whom they disagree.

Academic Research

Shaping public policy conversations through authorship and initiatives.

The Pepperdine School of Public Policy is committed to constructing a vibrant community of academic and scholarly excellence in which faculty and students study, investigate, learn, and flourish together. Through research conducted by the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership, leading-edge faculty research, and annual policy research seminars, you will have limitless opportunities to become involved with scholars who conduct dynamic and internationally-recognized policy research.

Wavemaker Testimonials

Pepperdine SPP Graduate, Jacob Deperalta

The School of Public Policy gave me a truly transformative education. Its rigorous, real-world curriculum sharpened my analytical thinking, strengthened my ethical foundation, and shaped me into a more thoughtful leader. What sets SPP apart is its blend of academic excellence, supportive community, and commitment to public service—qualities that prepared me to thrive as a statesman in Washington, D.C., and to contribute meaningfully wherever I serve."

Jacob Deperalta (MPP '22)

U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Professional Staff Member

More Alumni Profiles

Events

More Events

Dean Pete Peterson with students in Washington, DC.

Pepperdine School of Public Policy Announces Master of Public Policy Washington, DC, Track

The Pepperdine School of Public Policy has announced the launch of the Master of Public Policy Washington, DC Track, which will begin in the spring 2025 semester. This programmatic expansion will provide degree candidates with the option to complete their last semester at Pepperdine’s Washington, DC, campus, offering returning students a unique opportunity to accelerate their professional development initiatives in the nation’s capital.

Learn More

Welcome to the Pepperdine School of Public Policy

Academics

Upcoming Deadlines

Request Information

Quick Facts

Initiatives

Energy Lab

Grand Strategy Lab

Viewpoint Diversity

Academic Research

Wavemaker Testimonials

Events

detecting…

Newsroom

Pepperdine University Appoints Johnnie Moore as Vice Chancellor of Pepperdine Washington, DC, Campus

Pepperdine University School of Public Policy Awarded $1.4 Million Grant from Department of Education to Launch Summer Certificate Seminar Program

Building Together: A Visit From the Los Angeles Mexican Consul-General Carlos González Gutiérrez

Pepperdine School of Public Policy, Washington Institute to Offer Full-Tuition Scholarships to Master of Middle East Policy Studies Students for Second Year

Professor Kiron Skinner Addresses Current State of US Foreign Policy at Commonwealth Club Event

Let Us Show You Around