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

Jul

Masters of Public Policy: Final Deadline for Domestic Students

aug

Masters of Public Policy: Extended Final Deadline for Domestic Students

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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
12%Post graduate / doctoral studies

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

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Commitment to Viewpoint Diversity

Since our founding in 1997, the School of Public Policy has been committed to cultivating the academic virtues of curiosity and the pursuit of truth through the encouragement of viewpoint diversity inside and outside the classroom. This dedication is grounded in our broader fidelity to human freedom, and our Judeo-Christian perspective on the dignity of the individual.

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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
Wilson Fellowship
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.

The Wilson Center Fellowship

The Wilson Center Graduate Fellowship is a unique collaboration between the Pepperdine School of Public Policy and the respected Wilson Center in Washington, DC. Through this initiative, SPP graduate students will apply for two specific fellowships each year, but all students will benefit from the curricular and extracurricular programming made possible by this program.

Launched in 2026 with the World Cup underway, and the LA28 Olympic Games on the horizon, the initial policy focus for the program is sports diplomacy, a growing field of diplomacy and international relations.

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

Welcome to the Pepperdine School of Public Policy

Academics

Upcoming Deadlines

Request Information

Quick Facts

Commitment to Viewpoint Diversity

Initiatives

Energy Lab

Grand Strategy Lab

The Wilson Center Fellowship

Academic Research

Wavemaker Testimonials

Events

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Newsroom

Davenport Institute at Pepperdine University Hosts AI Skills Training for Local Government Leaders

School of Public Policy Welcomes Christopher Thornberg as Senior Research Fellow

Pepperdine's Davenport Institute Expands Global AI Leadership Through ICMA Fellowship

Pepperdine Wins CASE Circle of Excellence Award for Middle East Policy Studies Launch Campaign

Rupe Foundation Invests in Growing California Policy Research Partnership Between Pepperdine School of Public Policy and Beacon Economics

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