A Master’s in Public Policy is a degree professionals pursue that allows them to follow their passion while creating real change in their communities and across the globe. There are a variety of concentrations a student can choose to best apply their Public Policy education, and many colleges offer the option of taking the degree in that specific direction. Concentrations include health policy, environmental policy, security policy, social policy, technology policy, and more.
What Can You Do With A Master’s In Public Policy?
Graduating from one of the best Master’s in Public Policy programs offers the potential for various career opportunities. While government-based agencies were once the most likely career trajectory for public policy degree graduates, the private sector has increasingly recognized the value of the skills talented policy developers/implementers bring to the table.
If you have wondered – What can you do with a master’s in public policy? – consider the following.
Sample jobs in the government sector include a legislative aide or a program administrator. Public Policy graduates find rewarding careers in the private sector in corporate communications, or a government relations manager, to name a few. Nonprofits also seek public policy skill experts for policy research, or a community outreach manager.
Best Master’s In Public Policy
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California – Berkeley | Berkeley, California |
| 2 | Georgia Institute Of Technology | Atlanta, Georgia |
| 3 | University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| 4 | University of Connecticut | Mansfield, Connecticut |
| 5 | University of North Carolina | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
Why Get A Master’s In Public Policy?
- A Master’s in Public Policy provides the skills you need to help create and implement essential programs for the benefit of society.
- Graduates with degrees from the best Master’s in Public Policy programs have skills that are easily transferable among industries. This flexibility provides varying paths to many types of careers.
- Most programs are designed to work for busy professionals who need a flexible program to meet their time limitations.
15 Best Schools To Earn Your Masters In Public Policy
University of California – Berkeley
Changing i.e.. improving the world is the goal of many people pursuing a degree in Public Policy and Berkeley provides students all the opportunities they need to grow and evolve as leaders who can make real change in the world. The school boasts small class sizes and a personalized learning environment for all the master’s degrees offered. The program takes two years, full-time, with a summer internship after the second year. When public policy graduates leave the school they are truly the leaders of their communities and have the tools to facilitate change.
School Overview
Georgia Institute Of Technology
Georgia Tech takes pride in its award-winning, globally-renowned faculty that is notable across the globe. If you are interested in upgrading your credentials in public policy, improving your salary, and further benefiting, so you can earn more, providing more benefits to your employer and community, GaTech is a solid option. The program does not just teach from the set curriculum and leave students to navigate on their own, they integrate both theory and practice so graduates of the program are movers and thinkers of their generation. They also have an emphasis on policy analytics across their specialties.
School Overview
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan offers one of the best Master’s in Public Policy programs, which is definitely not a “one size fits all” degree. Grads who are pursuing this degree may want to go in vastly different directions when the time comes to use it and their offerings reflect this. They have a few different paths to graduate degrees in Public Policy to give students the education and hands-on experience they need to achieve their goals after graduation.
School Overview
University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut offers one of New England’s best, fast-tracked Master’s in Public Policy that can be started prior to officially entering graduate school – for those with an early interest during their baccalaureate tenure. Students in this program come from a variety of majors and all have a commitment to improving their community in common. Programs start each fall, so apply soon to be a part of their fast-track program if you already know you want to take your degree in that direction.
School Overview
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina has an entire whole Public Policy department and a program with a path that can take students all the way through their Ph.D. in Public Policy. If you are interested in improving the world around you but are unsure where to start to actually make real change on the highest levels then consider attending school in scenic North Carolina.
School Overview
University of Texas – Dallas
The University of Texas offers one of the most supportive, competitive, and best Master’s in Public Policy programs that is competitive but once students are in they will find that the staff is supportive. Its, the curriculum feeds each student’s passion and teaches the skills needed to facilitate change in the field they choose, and when they graduate. Apply today to find out if you qualify for the next starting date.
School Overview
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is known for both its affordable tuition and competitive curriculum. Students attending one of BYU’s best Master’s in Public Policy programs will learn with practical application, using case studies, a proven curriculum, and field experience. To apply you do not need experience in the public sector, but you do need to write a statement of intent.
School Overview
William Paterson University of New Jersey
William Paterson University offers one of the Garden State’s best Master’s in Public Policy programs, a Public Policy and Administration Master of Arts degree that is described by a former student as a “transformative experience. The program focuses on critical thinking and graduates are able to tackle public problems uniquely. No previous experience in the field is required to apply.
School Overview
Florida State University
Florida State University asserts that public administration runs the world, and they offer one of the oldest degrees in the nation at their Askew School of Public Administration. If you are interested in a public policy graduate degree, FSU’s Master’s in Public Policy program you will discover a demanding and rewarding program at FSU that prepares you to be one of the movers and shakers of the world.
School Overview
Princeton University
Princeton has a two-year program for graduates who want to pursue their Master’s in public Affairs. Princeton is an Ivy League school known for its outstanding and classic curriculum, hands-on opportunities, and of course the lifelong connections the students make at the school. The acceptance rate is low so apply soon to see if you qualify for the next term that the two-year program starts.NYU Wagner offers a one-year master’s program and many other Public Policy and Public Leadership courses. If you want to learn the practical and practice the skills needed to implement public policy improvement and change in one of the largest cities in the world, be sure to browse the best Master’s of Public Policy programs at NYU Wagner.
School Overview
New York University
NYU Wagner offers a one-year master’s program and many other Public Policy and Public Leadership courses. If you want to learn the practical and practice the skills needed to implement public policy improvement and change in one of the largest cities in the world, be sure to browse the best Master’s of Public Policy programs at NYU Wagner.
School Overview
Cornell University
Cornell has an excellent 18-month blended course of study to allow a working professional to earn their degree. Cornell’s graduate program in public policy is a blend of mostly online classes with three on-campus sessions. Graduates are prepared to be a part of the solution, so if you are ready to help make the world a better place for all, apply today.
School Overview
Pepperdine School of Public Policy
Pepperdine School of Public Policy (SPP) offers a 21-month full-time Master’s of Public Policy degree program with five specializations. Its courses combine a unique leadership curriculum that melds quantitative policy analysis with history and political philosophy to prepare students for impactful careers on either side of the aisle.
School Overview
Duke University
Duke University offers a Master’s of Public Policy with a global perspective. They offer many concentrations from which to choose that prepares from to prepare graduates to bring forth improvement and change. There are some math requirements for admission and the program is competitive, but grads find they are you can be confident you will be prepared to face anything when you earn your degree.
School Overview
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is located in upstate New York but a step away from the bustle of this larger western New York city. Graduates receive many opportunities to practice their skills in Public Policy while in the program and have many of the same connections that the NYC schools offer. The Maxwell School has been known from the start to be a place that creates forward-thinking individuals ready to tackle whatever the world throws their way while changing policy and raising funds to make it a better place.
School Overview
Master’s In Public Policy Ranking
This list of the best Master’s in Public Policy programs and schools was compiled using data from the school’s website, reliable sources, and student reviews. If you feel that your school is misrepresented in this list or if there is an error please let us know so we can correct the issue and provide accurate and up-to-date information to our readers.
