The Public Management track offers opportunities for students to analyze how government policies are given tangible form by executives, managers, and operators within organizations and environments that are shaped by legal, fiscal, and political realities. Because policies are seldom self-executing, responsible and informed management of public programs is essential. Courses in this track include those that are broad and conceptual in nature (such as Organizational Behavior), as well as those that are more focused and applied (such as Contracting). While most track courses focus on U.S. programs and institutions, some (such as Managing Development Projects) focus on international contexts. All courses share a concern with how government policies and programs can and should be responsibly managed and implemented so as to advance societal goals.

Graduates of GPPI who have specialized in public management have been employed at the American Planning Association, Computer Sciences Corporation, Homeland Security Institute, The National Academies, Office of Management and Budget, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Senate, and The Shaw Group Inc., among other public, nonprofit, and private organizations.