Public Informatics Joint and Dual Degrees

Joint Master’s degree programs enable students to complete two degrees simultaneously. A dual degree expands career opportunities, often providing a unique set of skills and experiences.

Within the urban planning program, the Bloustein School offers joint degrees with both the public policy and public informatics master’s programs, as well as an accelerated option for exemplary undergraduates. Dual degree programs are also offered in conjunction with other schools and departments at Rutgers University, including business, law, and food and business economics. A dual degree in infrastructure planning, offered with New Jersey Institute of Technology, provides a broad professional education intended to draw students from architecture, engineering, and the social sciences.

The scheduled time frame for the completion of a joint Master’s degree is usually shorter than what it would be to complete both degrees individually. In almost all cases, students must apply and be accepted to each degree program independently. Typically, dual degree programs are completed as part of full-time study. 

Allied with Urban Planning is the school-wide PhD program, which focuses on the preparation of planning- and policy-focused scholars who will teach and conduct research.

Combining the Bloustein School’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Public Informatics (MPI) degree leads to a 60 credit, two-and-a-half year dual degree option. This is a savings of 24 credits – a full year -- relative to completing both degrees individually.

There are different possible course plans that would meet the dual degree requirements and students may begin the dual degree in either program or pursue both simultaneously. Dual degree students who begin with the MPP program must complete an additional four MPI courses (12 credits). Dual degree students who begin with the MPI program complete the 36 credit MPI and an additional 24 credits of MPP required courses.

Admission to the dual MPP/MPI degree program is highly selective and requires separate applications to and acceptance by each program.

Combining the Bloustein School’s Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) and Master of Public Informatics (MPI) leads to a three-year dual degree option. Admission to the dual MCRP/MPI degree program is highly selective and requires simultaneous, separate applications to and acceptance by each program. A total of 60 credits must be completed in a minimum of three years of full-time study.

There are different possible course plans that would meet the dual degree requirements and students may begin the dual degree in either program or pursue both simultaneously. The MCRP degree requires a set of core, concentration and elective course which may be found here. Dual degree students starting in the MCRP must complete 12 MPI-eligible credits beyond their 48-credit requirement for the MCRP, totaling 60 credits. The MPI degree requires 30 credits of core courses and 6 credits of electives. Dual degree students starting in the MPI must complete complete 24 MCRP-eligible credits beyond their 36-credit requirement for the MPI degree, totaling 60 credits.